🇲🇰 North Macedonian Cuisine

Sarma

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Prep Time 1 hour

Servings 6

Difficulty Hard

Calories 352 kcal

Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of seasoned rice and ground beef, slow-cooked in a tangy tomato broth.

Ingredients

1 head sour cabbage (kisela zelka)
500g ground beef
200g rice
1 onion, grated
2 tbsp paprika
1 tsp black pepper
Salt
200ml tomato passata
2 bay leaves
Sunflower oil

Instructions

1 Separate cabbage leaves carefully and trim thick stems.
2 Mix beef, rice, grated onion, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3 Place 2 tbsp filling on each leaf, fold sides in, and roll tightly.
4 Line pot bottom with torn cabbage leaves.
5 Pack rolls seam-side down in tight layers.
6 Pour passata and enough water to cover. Add bay leaves.
7 Simmer covered on low heat for 2.5-3 hours.

Did You Know?

Macedonian grandmothers judge the quality of sarma by how tightly they are rolled — loose rolls are considered a sign of inexperience.