Holubtsi Recipe: Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with a Modern Twist

Growing up in Ukraine, Holubtsi weren’t just food—they were practically a rite of passage. Every family gathering, celebration, or even slightly chilly Sunday came with the promise of these tender, tomato-kissed cabbage rolls. And let me tell you, it was a big deal. You didn’t just “have some Holubtsi”—you prepared for them like a sport. There was strategy (who gets the corner ones), endurance (rolling fifty in one sitting), and sometimes even heartbreak (when you realized Grandma secretly added liver this time).

Some of my earliest memories are wrapped—quite literally—in cabbage. I remember sitting at the kitchen table, far too young to be helpful but far too curious to be sent away. My grandmother, with her flour-dusted apron and encyclopedic knowledge of cabbage pliability, would give each leaf a gentle steam bath, just enough to coax it into submission. Then came the filling: a warm, fragrant mixture of rice, onions, and ground meat, seasoned to perfection. “More pepper makes it Ukrainian,” she would whisper with a wink. “Less pepper makes it Polish.”

The house would fill with the smell of love and tomatoes, and if you were lucky, someone would sneak you a bit of the filling before it made it into the cabbage. I thought it was a reward for being adorable; turns out they were just checking the seasoning.

Today, far from my childhood kitchen, I still make Holubtsi when I miss home—or when I want to impress British friends who think Ukrainian cuisine starts and ends with borscht. Little do they know, these cabbage rolls pack both flavour and family history into every bite. And don’t worry if your first few rolls look like confused burritos. Even my grandmother said the ugly ones taste better.

Ingredients:

• 1 large green cabbage
• 500g ground beef or pork (or a mix)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 400g canned chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil

Instructions:

1. Carefully remove cabbage leaves and boil for 2–3 minutes until soft. Set aside to cool.
2. Mix ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper.
3. Place a spoonful of mixture in each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides and roll tightly.
4. In a large pan, heat oil, add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper.
5. Place rolls seam-side down in a baking dish, cover with sauce.
6. Cover dish with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour.

A Modern Twist

To make this recipe unique, add a handful of chopped dried apricots to the meat mixture for a sweet and savory surprise—a variation popular in southwestern Ukraine. You can also serve Holubtsi with a dollop of sour cream mixed with horseradish for extra zing.

Where to Buy Holubtsi in the UK

If you’re craving Holubtsi but short on time, you can buy ready-made options online:

• Ukrainian Store UK – Offers frozen Holubtsi and other traditional dishes.
• Lituanica – Eastern European supermarket with UK delivery.
• Polish Village Bread – Occasionally stocks cabbage rolls in their frozen section.

Whether you’re trying your hand at rolling or opting for the convenience of store-bought, Holubtsi bring comfort, culture, and a hint of Ukrainian soul to the table.

Whether you’re trying your hand at rolling or opting for the convenience of store-bought, Holubtsi bring comfort, culture, and a hint of Ukrainian soul to the table.

Feeling inspired? Check out more Ukrainian recipes here! From borscht to pampushky, your next delicious adventure is just one recipe away.