Polish Golabki With Cranberry Sauce For Christmas

If you’re looking to bring a new twist to traditional Polish holiday recipes, this Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls also known as Polish Golabki is the dish to make your Polish Christmas table even more festive.

These stuffed cabbage rolls combine the warm, comforting flavors of classic golabki with sweet, fruity notes from dried cranberries and caramelized onions, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

The combination of tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a juicy filling makes these rolls an irresistible addition to any Christmas meal.

This unique twist on a beloved traditional Polish food brings out layers of flavor that everyone will love, making it ideal for holiday meal ideas or any festive Polish gathering.

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Ingredients Required For Stuffed Cabbage Rolls With Cranberry Infused Golabki

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1 ½ cups of cooked white rice
• 1 lb ground pork or beef (or a mix of both for a richer flavor)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• ½ cup caramelized onions
• 1 large egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)

For the Tomato-Cranberry Sauce:

• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For Garnish:

• Fresh dill or parsley, chopped
• Dollop of sour cream

Instructions To Make Polish Golabki

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

Start with a large, sturdy green cabbage. This step is crucial in traditional Polish cooking, as the cabbage leaves need to be soft enough to roll without tearing. Here’s how to make it perfect:

1. Bring a Large Pot of Water to a Boil: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
2. Core the Cabbage: Use a sharp knife to carefully remove the core from the cabbage, trust me this little trick makes leaf separation a breeze
3. Soften the Cabbage Leaves: Submerge the cabbage head in the boiling water and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Once the outer leaves are nice and soft, grab your tongs and peel them off, placing them on a tray. Repeat until you have 12-15 leaves (this will give you enough leaves to work with for this recipe).
4. Trim the Leaves: Once you have your leaves separated, cut off the thick part of the central vein on each leaf so they’re easier to roll.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

In Polish Christmas and traditional holiday foods, the filling is the heart of the dish, and we’re giving it a fruity twist by incorporating cranberries.

1. Saute the Onions: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat and saute the finely chopped onion until it becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, or until the intoxicating aroma fills the air.
2. Combine the Filling Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, ground meat, sautéed onions and garlic, chopped cranberries, caramelized onions, egg, salt, pepper, and fresh dill if using. To make sure all of the ingredients are dispersed equally, thoroughly mix.
3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste a small portion of the filling to check for salt and pepper. Polish cuisine often calls for balanced seasoning, and you want the flavors to meld perfectly in each bite.

Step 3: Assemble the Golabki Rolls

Now that we have our cabbage leaves softened and our filling prepared, it’s time to assemble the rolls.

1. Lay Out a Cabbage Leaf: Place one cabbage leaf on a clean surface. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of filling into the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
2. Fold and Roll: Tuck in the edges as you roll from the stem end up after folding the leaf’s sides over the filling. Think of it like rolling a burrito – you want the filling fully enclosed.
3. Secure the Rolls: To prevent the cabbage rolls from unraveling while you work on the others, place them on a tray, seam side down.

Step 4: Make the Tomato-Cranberry Sauce

The sauce is where the festive Polish flavors come alive, adding richness and a hint of sweetness to these holiday recipes.

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the tomato sauce, beef or vegetable broth, dried cranberries, and honey. Stir to combine.
2. Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper as needed, and let the sauce simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. The cranberries will plump up in the liquid, giving the sauce a slight sweetness that complements the cabbage rolls beautifully.

Step 5: Bake the Cabbage Rolls

The magic of this festive Polish dish happens in the oven, where the flavors meld and deepen.

1. Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange the Rolls in a Baking Dish: Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a baking dish, snugly fitting them together to prevent them from unrolling during baking.
3. Pour the Sauce Over the Rolls: Pour the prepared tomato-cranberry sauce over the cabbage rolls, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
4. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. After an hour, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the top to brown slightly.

Step 6: Serve the Golabki

This is the moment when your hard work comes together into a mouthwatering centerpiece for your Christmas cooking.

1. Plate the Rolls: Carefully transfer the golabki to a serving platter, spooning a little extra sauce over each roll.
2. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh dill or parsley on top for color, and add a dollop of sour cream to each roll to balance the sweet and savory flavors.

Tips for Perfect Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

To make this traditional Polish food shine on your Polish Christmas table, here are some helpful tips:

• Choose the Right Cabbage: Green cabbage is the go-to choice in Polish cuisine for stuffed cabbage rolls. Savoy cabbage also works and has a slightly sweeter, more tender leaf.
• Balance the Filling: This cranberry-infused filling adds a burst of flavor, but it’s essential to avoid overpowering the savory meat. Stick to ¾ cup of cranberries for the ideal balance of sweet and savory.
• Bake Low and Slow: The slow baking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving each roll a rich, savory depth that’s hard to resist.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

This Cabbage & Cranberry-Infused Golabki is a versatile dish and can easily be adjusted to suit different tastes or dietary needs:

• Meat-Free Option: Swap the meat for a mix of mushrooms and lentils to create a vegetarian version that’s just as hearty and flavorful.
• Grain Substitution: Replace the rice with quinoa or barley for a heartier grain option, adding a unique texture to this traditional holiday food.
• Serve with a Side of Kompot: This dish pairs beautifully with traditional Polish Christmas drinks like a warm fruit kompot, which enhances the fruity flavors of the cranberries.

Why This Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Polish Golabki Recipe a Holiday Favorite?

What makes this recipe a standout is the unique twist on traditional Polish stuffed cabbage rolls.

The addition of cranberries and caramelized onions takes classic golabki and elevates it into a festive Polish dish that’s perfect for a holiday gathering.

With each bite, you get the comforting flavors of tender cabbage and savory meat, balanced by bursts of sweetness from the cranberries – a combination that feels right at home in Christmas cooking.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you’re planning a big holiday meal, here’s how to make these in advance:

1. Make Ahead: You can assemble the rolls up to two days ahead. Just cover the baking dish and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
2. Freezing: Polish holiday recipes like this one freeze well. Individually wrap each roll tightly and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
3. Reheat: To reheat, place the rolls in a covered baking dish at 325°F until heated through, or microwave them individually.

Final Thoughts

These Cabbage & Cranberry-Infused Golabki rolls are not only an unforgettable addition to any Polish Christmas dinner but also a versatile recipe you’ll want to keep in your holiday meal ideas.

By incorporating dried cranberries and caramelized onions, this dish brings a fresh, festive twist to a classic Polish favorite.

Whether you’re hosting a christmas party, large gathering or simply want to bring a taste of Polish cuisine to your holiday table, these stuffed cabbage rolls are sure to be a memorable hit among your guests.