A traditional Romanian dish of Sarmale (cabbage rolls) served on a rustic wooden plate, accompanied by polenta and sour cream.

Authentic Romanian Sarmale Recipe – Traditional Cabbage Rolls

🇷🇴 Sarmale is the national dish of Romania, a comforting and flavorful dish made of minced meat, rice, and smoked pork wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and slow-cooked for hours. This traditional recipe has been passed down through generations and is a must-have for holidays like Christmas and Easter. Serve them hot with sour cream and polenta for an authentic Romanian experience! 🍲🔥
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Romanian
Servings 8 people
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Filling:

  • 500 g minced pork 🐖
  • 300 g minced beef 🥩
  • 200 g smoked pork ribs or smoked meat 🔥
  • 200 g rice 🍚
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped 🧅
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped 🌶️
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 15 peppercorns
  • 2-3 bay leaves 🍃
  • 100 ml tomato sauce 🍅
  • 30 ml sunflower oil 🌻

For the Wrapping:

  • 2 kg pickled cabbage leaves 🥬 (whole leaves, not pre-chopped)
  • 2-3 whole cabbage leaves (to cover the top)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Rice

  • Wash the rice with cold water and mix it with one tablespoon of coarse salt.
  • Rinse two more times without salt and leave it in cold water until needed.

Prepare the Cabbage Leaves

  • Carefully separate the pickled cabbage leaves.
  • If leaves are too thick, cut out the thick ribs for easier rolling.

Make the Filling

  • In a bowl, mix minced pork and beef.
  • Add chopped onion, red pepper, turmeric, caraway seeds, thyme, and 100 ml of water.
  • Stir in rice, mixing everything well. No need to add salt since the pickled cabbage is already salty.

Roll the Sarmale

  • Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of a cabbage leaf.
  • Roll tightly and tuck in the edges to seal the roll.
  • Repeat until all the meat mixture is used.

Assemble the Pot

  • Heat sunflower oil at the bottom of a large pot.
  • Add half of the chopped cabbage and red pepper.
  • Pour half of the tomato sauce over them.
  • Arrange the cabbage rolls tightly in layers.
  • Place chunks of smoked pork ribs between the rolls.
  • Sprinkle peppercorns and bay leaves over the rolls.
  • Add the remaining chopped cabbage and tomato sauce.
  • Cover with 2-3 whole cabbage leaves.
  • Pour in boiling water until the rolls are fully covered.
  • Place a heatproof plate on top to prevent the rolls from floating.

Cook the Sarmale

  • Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat.
  • Reduce to low heat and let simmer for 2-3 hours.
  • Add more hot water if needed during cooking.

Notes

A step-by-step visual guide to making traditional Romanian Sarmale (cabbage rolls)
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Sarmale:
✔️ Use whole pickled cabbage leaves, not pre-chopped ones. Romanian or Turkish stores often sell the best options.
✔️ Smoked meat is essential! It adds a deep, rich flavor. If you can’t find smoked ribs, use smoked bacon.
✔️ Sarmale tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make them in advance and reheat for a richer flavor.
✔️ Serve with sour cream and polenta (mămăligă) for an authentic experience.

Why You’ll Love This Sarmale Recipe ❤️

Growing up in Romania, I always associated sarmale with family and celebration. My mother would prepare a huge pot, filling our home with the comforting aroma of slow-cooked cabbage, smoked meat, and flavorful spices. Over the years, I’ve learned that every Romanian family has its own version of sarmale – some prefer tomato sauce, others don’t use it at all; some wrap them in vine leaves in summer, while others swear by pickled cabbage all year round.
👉 What makes Romanian Sarmale unique? Unlike other cabbage rolls, we use pickled cabbage for a distinctive, tangy taste and always include some type of smoked meat for extra depth of flavor. My mom's special touch? A pinch of turmeric and red pepper, which take the dish to the next level! ✨

🍽️ How to Serve Romanian Sarmale

The best way to enjoy sarmale is hot, with a generous dollop of sour cream and a side of polenta (mămăligă). You can also serve them with fresh bread, pickled vegetables, or spicy chili peppers for an authentic Romanian experience. 🌶️🥖

🔄 Variations & Substitutions

Want to put your own spin on sarmale? Try these variations:
Use smoked bacon or another type of smoked meat instead of pork ribs.
Skip turmeric and red pepper if you prefer a more traditional taste.
Swap pickled cabbage for vine leaves in summer for a fresh twist.
Make it vegetarian by replacing meat with mushrooms and nuts!

🔥 Final Thoughts

This authentic Romanian sarmale recipe is a true comfort food, bringing people together for generations. Whether you’re making them for the first time or looking to perfect your technique, follow these steps, and you’ll have a pot of mouthwatering, tender cabbage rolls to enjoy with family and friends. 🥰
Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments! Happy cooking! 👩‍🍳🇷🇴✨
More Romanian recipes
Keyword authentic Romanian food, cabbage rolls, holiday recipes, pickled cabbage rolls, Romanian cabbage rolls, Romanian sarmale, sarmale recipe, traditional sarmale
Scroll to Top