🥬 Traditional Homemade Sarma (Stuffed Sour Cabbage Rolls)

Name: 🥬 Traditional Homemade Sarma (Stuffed Sour Cabbage Rolls)
Total time: 420 min
Cuisine: Balkan

Main Dishes Balkan RichardObradovic Apr 25, 2025 325

Description

Authentic Balkan sarma made with sour cabbage leaves, filled with juicy meat and rice, slow-cooked with smoked meat until perfectly tender. A traditional comfort food, rich in flavor and perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

🥬 1 large head of sour cabbage (or ~20 leaves)
🥩 300g ground pork
🥩 300g ground beef
🧅 1 onion, finely chopped
🍚 100g uncooked rice
🌶️ 1 tsp sweet paprika
🧂 Salt, to taste
⚫ Black pepper, to taste
🌿 1/2 tsp dried thyme
🥓 200g smoked meat (ribs, bacon, or sausage)
🍃 2 bay leaves
💧 Water or broth (to cover)
Optional roux (zaprška):
🛢️ 2 tbsp oil
🌾 1 tbsp flour
🌶️ 1 tsp sweet paprika

Preparation

➊ Soak or rinse the cabbage leaves if too salty. Cut out thick veins to make rolling easier.
➋ In a bowl, mix pork, beef, onion, rice, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme until well combined.
➌ Place filling on each cabbage leaf, fold sides, and roll tightly.
➍ Line the pot with shredded cabbage. Arrange sarma rolls in layers, add smoked meat and bay leaves.
➎ Pour in water or broth to cover. Place a plate on top. Simmer on low heat for 2.5 to 3 hours.
➏ For roux (optional): Heat oil, add flour, stir until golden. Remove from heat, add paprika, mix, and pour into pot. Simmer 10 more minutes.

Total Time

🛠️ Prep: 30 minutes
🔥 Cooking: 2.5 to 3 hours
🕒 Total: Around 3.5 hours

Nutritional Value

🔥 Calories (2 rolls): ~420 kcal
💪 Protein: ~25g
🧈 Fat: ~28g
🍞 Carbs: ~20g

Advice

Sarma is even better the next day! Let it rest overnight and reheat gently — flavors deepen beautifully. Also great for freezing.

Status

🥬 Slow-cooked, smoky, and full of flavor — this is real Balkan sarma made with love!
🍲 Try it now
#grannyzen #sarma #balkanrecipes #comfortfood #homemadewithlove

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