Sarma (Stuffed Cabbage)

4.5
(45)
37 Reviews
7 Photos

For this satisfying sarma dish, cabbage leaves are stuffed with a seasoned mixture of rice, ground beef, pork, and ham. They are then laid on a bed of sauerkraut and simmered to completion. This is the best stuffed cabbage recipe I've ever tried.

Submitted by Bea Gassman
Updated on June 1, 2023
close up view of Sarma (Stuffed Cabbage) in a pot
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Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
3 hrs 5 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 large head cabbage, frozen for 3 days, then thawed overnight in the refrigerator

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • ½ pound ground pork

  • ½ pound ground ham

  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 1 egg

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 pound sauerkraut

  • 1 cup tomato juice

  • 1 cup water, or as needed to cover

Directions

  1. Remove the leaves from the head of cabbage.

  2. Mix beef, pork, ham, uncooked rice, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a bowl until well combined. Form mixture into oblong balls, using 1/2 cup of the mixture at a time. Wrap a cabbage leaf around each ball.

  3. Spread sauerkraut in the bottom of a large pot. Layer cabbage rolls on top, placing them seam-side down. Pour tomato juice over rolls, then add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 3 hours, adding more water as necessary.

73 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

315 Calories
15g Fat
12g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 315
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 27%
Cholesterol 119mg 40%
Sodium 1075mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 32g 64%
Vitamin C 37mg 42%
Calcium 56mg 4%
Iron 4mg 21%
Potassium 686mg 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.