Braised Cabbage Rolls with Minced Meat & Crème Fraîche

Classic braised cabbage rolls filled with minced meat and finished with crème fraîche for a comforting, traditional main dish.

Slow-braised cabbage rolls are pure winter comfort. Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savoury minced meat filling, gently cooked until everything becomes soft, cohesive, and deeply flavourful. Finished with crème fraîche, this is classic, reassuring cooking that rewards patience and simplicity.

Braised Cabbage Rolls with Minced Meat and Crème Fraîche

Serves: 4–6

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 50 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 20 minutesIngredients

Ingredients:

• 1 large green cabbage

• 500 g minced meat (beef or beef/pork)

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 egg

• 60 g cooked rice (optional)

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley or dill

Braising sauce

• 2 tbsp oil or butter

• 1 onion, sliced

• 400 ml crushed tomatoes or passata

• 300 ml beef stock

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and pepper

✔️To serve

Crème fraîche

Method

• Carefully remove large cabbage leaves and blanch in simmering salted water until pliable. Drain.

• Mix minced meat, onion, garlic, egg, rice (if using), tomato paste, seasoning, and herbs.

• Place filling on each leaf, roll tightly, tucking in the sides.

• In a wide pot, sauté sliced onion in oil or butter until soft.

• Add tomatoes, stock, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

• Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in the sauce.

• Cover and braise gently for 45–55 minutes.

• Rest briefly before serving with crème fraîche.

#CabbageRolls

#ComfortFood

#Homemade

#Classic