Golabki: Comfort Food at Its Finest

We understand you are looking for Polish cabbage rolls or 'Golabki' in Polish. To make things simple for the remainder of this article, we will refer to them as cabbage rolls.

One of the questions we get asked often is what is the difference between Golabki and Cabbage Rolls

• Golabki, also known as stuffed cabbage, is a traditional Polish dish consisting of cooked cabbage leaves stuffed with a filling of ground beef, pork, onions, and rice and then simmered in a tomato-based sauce.
• Cabbage rolls, on the other hand, are a dish consisting of boiled cabbage leaves wrapped around a variety of fillings, such as ground beef, pork, or a mixture of both, and usually served with some kind of sauce.

In the comments section below, let us know if your family used both methods to make these.

Eating Well with Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls are a traditional dish that has been enjoyed around the world for centuries, and making them at home is an easy and enjoyable way to bring this classic recipe into your own kitchen. From saving you money to providing a comforting and delicious meal, there are many reasons to make cabbage rolls at home. Here are six of them.

1. Low Calorie: Cabbage rolls are a very low-calorie meal, containing approximately 80 calories per roll.
2. High in Fiber: The cabbage in cabbage rolls is an excellent source of dietary fiber, providing about 4 grams per serving.
3. High in Vitamins and Minerals: Cabbage rolls are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin A, and iron.
4. Rich in Antioxidants: The cabbage in cabbage rolls is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and fight off disease.
5. Heart Healthy: The cabbage in cabbage rolls is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
6. Versatile: Cabbage rolls can be made with a variety of ingredients and flavors, making them a great addition to any meal. Be sure to check out our filling list below!

Fillings For Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls are a delicious and versatile dish, as they can be filled with a variety of fillings. Traditional recipes call for a beef and rice filling, which is a combination of ground beef, cooked long-grain white rice, onion, garlic, and seasonings. This combination is often spiced up with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes. 

Take a look at the list below to learn about other filling and cooking methods for cabbage rolls.

• Pork Cabbage Rolls - Another popular filling for cabbage rolls is ground pork, which is often combined with cooked long-grain white rice, onion, garlic, and seasonings. This mixture can be spiced up with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
• Vegan Cabbage Rolls - For a vegetarian filling, cooked long-grain white rice, sautéed diced onions, garlic, mushrooms, and seasonings make a great combination. This can also be spiced up with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
• Quinoa Cabbage Rolls - For a lighter option, cooked quinoa and diced vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, garlic, and mushrooms, can be combined and seasoned with herbs and spices. This mixture can be further spiced up with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
• Turkey Cabbage Rolls - Finally, for a unique and flavorful filling, cooked long-grain white rice, ground turkey, diced vegetables, and seasonings make a wonderful combination. This mixture can be spiced up with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
• Cabbage Rolls Without Tomato Sauce - Cabbage rolls can be made without tomato sauce. Instead, you can use a combination of butter, onion, garlic, and other seasonings.
• Lazy Cabbage Rolls - These are a simplified version of traditional cabbage rolls, which are stuffed with ground meat and cooked in a tomato-based sauce. The lazy version is made using precooked ground beef and pre-shredded cabbage, and requires no rolling or baking. It can be cooked in a skillet with a tomato-based sauce, and is often served topped with shredded cheese.
• Crockpot Cabbage Rolls - These are hearty and flavorful dish that is made by filling cabbage leaves with a mixture of ground beef, rice, and seasonings, then rolling them up and cooking them in a slow cooker. The slow cooker allows the cabbage rolls to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.

Cabbage Rolls By Cultural Background

• Polish Cabbage Rolls - Cabbage rolls in Polish are called Gołąbki. They are made of lightly-seasoned minced meat (usually pork, beef, and/or veal) and rice, wrapped in cabbage leaves and boiled or baked. The dish is often served with a tomato-based sauce.
• Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls (also known as holubtsi, holubchi, holubets, or golubtsi) are a traditional dish in Ukrainian cuisine. They are made by wrapping boiled cabbage leaves around a filling of ground pork, beef, rice, and onion, which is then baked in a tomato sauce. The cabbage rolls are usually served with sour cream, and they can be served as a main dish or an accompaniment to other dishes.
• German Cabbage Rolls, also known as Kohlrouladen, are a traditional German dish made of cabbage leaves filled with a mixture of ground beef and pork, onion, and seasonings. They are usually served with gravy or a tomato-based sauce.

Cabbage rolls are a delicious and versatile meal that can be adapted to a variety of tastes. From vegetarian options to savory pork or beef fillings, the possibilities are endless. From slow-cooking in a crockpot to a quick-cooking stovetop method, cabbage rolls can be an easy and delicious meal to add to your repertoire. Whether you're a novice or an experienced home cook, give these cabbage rolls a try for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Please share any additional fillings or cooking methods you use to make cabbage rolls. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section!