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Cabbage Rolls Hongrois

Name: Cabbage Rolls Hongrois
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 90 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 large head green cabbage; 1 lb ground pork; 1 cup uncooked rice; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika; 1 tsp caraway seeds; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 lb sauerkraut, drained; 2 cups crushed tomatoes; 1 cup water or chicken broth; 1 cup sour cream; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory meat-and-rice filling, simmered in a smoky paprika sauce.

⏱ 40 minPrep time

🔥 1 hr 30 minCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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Cabbage Rolls Hongrois — töltött káposzta to a Hungarian — are plump parcels of pork-and-rice filling wrapped in silky cabbage leaves and braised in a paprika-scented tomato sauce. Layers of sauerkraut tucked between the rolls give the dish its signature tang.

A Sunday-dinner institution across Hungary, they’re served crowned with a spoonful of sour cream and often finished with a creamy roux. The rolls are even better the day after, when the cabbage and sauce have truly married.

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Step by stepInstructions

Core the cabbage and boil it whole in salted water for 8-10 minutes, peeling off softened leaves as they release. Trim the thick ribs from 12-16 large leaves.
Cook the rice until just tender; cool. Mix it with the pork, onion, garlic, paprika, caraway, salt, and pepper.
Place a few tablespoons of filling on each leaf, fold in the sides, and roll into tight cylinders.
Spread half the sauerkraut in a Dutch oven, arrange the rolls seam-side down on top, and cover with the remaining sauerkraut.
Pour the crushed tomatoes and broth over everything. Cover and simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.
Stir the flour into the sour cream, whisk in a ladle of hot sauce, then stir the mixture back into the pot. Simmer 5 minutes and serve.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Use a sturdy head of cabbage and don't overboil — leaves should bend, not shred. The rolls are traditionally made a day ahead and reheated.

Recipe details

Prep40 min

Cook1 hr 30 min

Servings6

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Cabbage Rolls Hongrois

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Cabbage Rolls Hongrois

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