Polish Beef Flaczki
Tender beef rolls wrapped in cabbage leaves and braised in tomato sauce—a comforting Polish classic ready in under 45 minutes. Savory, hearty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 380
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ medium onion, finely minced
- 1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat, about 8 minutes. You'll see large bubbles rapidly breaking the surface.
- 2
While water heats, carefully peel off 8 outer cabbage leaves and set them aside on a cutting board.
- 3
When water boils, submerge the 8 cabbage leaves for 3 minutes until they soften and turn bright green. Use tongs to hold them underwater.
- 4
Remove the softened leaves with tongs and lay them flat on paper towels to cool and drain.
- 5
In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, minced onion, 0.5 teaspoon salt, and 0.25 teaspoon pepper. Use your hands to mix until just combined, about 30 seconds.
- 6
Place one cooled cabbage leaf flat on the cutting board. Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of beef filling onto the center of the leaf.
- 7
Fold the left and right edges of the leaf inward over the filling, then roll away from you toward the far edge, creating a tight cylinder. Repeat with the remaining 7 leaves and filling.
- 8
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and slides quickly when you tilt the pan, about 60 seconds.
- 9
Carefully place the 8 cabbage rolls seam-side down into the hot oil in a single layer. Let them brown without moving for 2 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown.
- 10
Pour the entire can of crushed tomatoes over and around the rolls. Add 0.5 teaspoon salt and 0.25 teaspoon pepper.
- 11
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Simmer gently for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens and the rolls are heated through. The sauce should bubble gently around the edges.
- 12
Remove the skillet from heat and let it rest uncovered for 2 minutes before serving.
Tools you’ll need
- large pot
- tongs
- paper towels
- medium bowl
- cutting board
- 12-inch skillet with lid
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