young cabbage with minced meat

Here’s a comforting and easy dish: Young Cabbage with Minced Meat — a perfect summertime or early autumn meal that’s light yet satisfying. This dish is popular across Eastern and Central Europe, with many regional versions.

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🥬 Young Cabbage with Minced Meat

(Braised cabbage with ground meat — one-pot style)

🕐 Time:

• Prep: 15 min

• Cook: 30–40 min

🍽️ Serves: 4

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🧾 Ingredients:

• 1 small young (spring) cabbage (about 800 g – 1 kg), shredded

• 400–500 g minced meat (beef, pork, or mixed)

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 carrot, grated (optional, for sweetness)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste or 1 diced tomato

• 1 tsp paprika (optional, sweet or smoked)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh dill or parsley (for serving)

• A splash of water or broth

• 1–2 tbsp oil or butter

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Sauté the aromatics
   In a large deep pan or pot, heat the oil. Add chopped onion and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

2. Cook the meat
   Add minced meat and break it up with a spatula. Cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. Add vegetables
   Stir in the grated carrot (if using) and tomato paste. Cook 2–3 minutes. Then add the shredded young cabbage.

4. Simmer
   Pour in a splash of water or broth (about 100 ml), stir, cover, and simmer over low to medium heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender but still has some bite.

5. Adjust & finish
   Uncover, let any excess liquid evaporate, taste and adjust seasoning. Add chopped dill or parsley just before serving.

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🍽️ Serving ideas:

• Serve hot with boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or just as is.

• A dollop of sour cream on top is traditional in some regions.

• It reheats well and is often better the next day.

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Would you like a vegetarian version, or one that includes rice (like lazy stuffed cabbage)?