Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Töltött Káposzta)🇭🇺

📝 Ingredients

For the Cabbage

• 1 large head cabbage
• Salt (for blanching water)

For the Filling

• 500g ground pork or beef (or mixed)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons oil or lard
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 3–4 cups water or broth
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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🍴 Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Gently remove leaves from cabbage.
3. Blanch leaves 2–3 minutes until soft and flexible.
4. Drain and cool.

2. Make the Filling

1. In a bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, caraway, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix until well combined.

3. Roll the Cabbage

1. Place a spoonful of filling onto a cabbage leaf.
2. Fold sides and roll tightly.
3. Repeat with remaining leaves.

4. Make the Sauce

1. Heat oil in a large pot.
2. Add onion and cook until soft.
3. Add paprika and stir (don’t burn it!).
4. Add tomato sauce, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a simmer.

5. Cook the Rolls

1. Place cabbage rolls seam-side down into the sauce.
2. Cover and simmer gently for 1½ to 2 hours, until tender.
3. Add more broth if needed.

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🍽️ Serve

Serve hot with:

• Sour cream
• Crusty bread
• Mashed potatoes

For extra richness, spoon sauce over the top.

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💡 Tips for Authentic Flavor

• Use sweet Hungarian paprika — it makes all the difference
• Pork adds more authentic flavor than beef
• Simmer low and slow for best texture
• Add sauerkraut for a tangy, traditional twist

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🧊 Storage

• Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge
• Freezes up to 3 months

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📝 Variations

• Use barley instead of rice
• Add smoked sausage to the pot
• Make mini bite-sized rolls

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💬 Engage Your Audience

Ask them:
“Have you tried Hungarian stuffed cabbage? What’s your favorite version?”

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Just tell me, Ashley!