16 cabbage rolls30-60 minAmerican

Grandma's Stuffed Cabbage

By Paula Shoyer

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16 cabbage rolls

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30-60 min

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Medium

Grandma's Stuffed Cabbage
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Recipe Details

Course: Dinner, Main Dishes

Difficulty: Medium

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Total Time: 30-60 min

Cooking Technique: Pressure Cook, Sauté

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Yield: 16 cabbage rolls

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 2 medium onions
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 5 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins
  • 1 large green apple
  • 1 head Napa cabbage
  • 1 onion
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/3 cup white rice
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
The credit for this recipe goes to my grandma Sylvia Altman, z”l, even though I have made some changes to it over the years. Her original recipe used every saucepan in my kitchen, and I have shifted to Napa rather than green cabbage, as it is easier to roll. She would never have believed that you could have melt-in-your-mouth stuffed cabbage cooked without watching the rolls for hours.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cut off the end of the cabbage and separate 17 leaves. Bring a medium or large saucepan of water to a boil on the stovetop. Place a colander over a bowl near the saucepan. Cook the leaves, about 6 at a time, for 4 minutes per batch, leaving the water boiling the entire time. Use tongs to lift the cooked leaves and place into the colander to drain. Try not to tear the leaves. Place on paper towels or a clean dishtowel to dry.
  2. To make the sauce, press Sauté and when the display reads “Hot,” add the oil, chopped onions, and apples. Cook for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften but not brown, stirring often.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the cabbage filling. Finely chop the onion by hand or in a food processor. Place into a large bowl. Add the beef, rice, egg, water, salt, and pepper, and mix well with your hands. Fan out a cabbage leaf in front of you with the stem facing you. Scoop up a handful of the meat and rice mixture, about 1/4 cup for each roll, and place at the bottom of a cabbage leaf, at the stem.
  4. Fold the bottom over the mixture and roll over again, and then fold the sides of the leaf toward the middle to cover the meat, and then roll up.
  5. When the onions and apple are cooked, add the crushed tomatoes, water, lemon juice, brown sugar, and honey and bring to a boil. Add salt and black pepper.
  6. Remove sauce to a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup (118ml) hot water to the inner pot and boil, and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot clean. Place the steam rack on top. Place one layer of rolls on the rack, one ladle of sauce, another layer of rolls and so on, pouring any remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle the golden raisins on top.
  7. Secure the lid, ensuring that the steam release handle is in the Sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook button and set the cooking time for 18 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, let the pot sit for 15 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Turn the valve to the Venting position to release any remaining pressure. Press Cancel and remove the lid.

About the chef

Paula Shoyer

Paula Shoyer

Paula Shoyer is a French-trained pastry chef and the author of five cookbooks, including The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook and Healthy Jewish Kitchen. Her recipes and culinary expertise have been featured across major media outlets worldwide. Paula teaches cooking and baking classes globally, both in-person and virtually, and has made over 55 TV appearances, including on Food Network and Hallmark Channel. She also produces travel video shows and recently launched Savor Israel Tours. Specializing in dairy-free, gluten-free, and kosher recipes, Paula continues to influence the modern culinary scene.

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