Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage Recipe
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Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage

"This is a family heirloom recipe that has been handed down through the ages. My mother taught it to me, and I tweaked it to its current form. I have eaten all kinds of 'stuffed' cabbage and this recipe beats them all. It's sweet, sour, and comforting. The flavors are even better the second day. This dish also freezes well."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.6 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (23)

What to Drink?

Wine Zinfandel
Prep Time:
20 Min
Cook Time:
2 Hrs 40 Min
Ready In:
3 Hrs 20 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 10 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 onions, sliced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds green cabbage, cored, and cut into 3 inch chunks
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons instant white rice
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, or to taste

Directions

  1. Place the vegetable oil into a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the sliced onions, and cook until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce, using a spoon to slightly chop the whole tomatoes. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir the cabbage into the tomatoes. Cover, and simmer 1 hour until the cabbage is tender and mixes easily with the tomatoes.
  2. Place the ground beef, eggs, finely chopped onion, rice, water, additional 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix together with hands until thoroughly blended. Add additional rice if mixture is too moist. Form into golf ball-sized meatballs. Place meatballs on a plate, and refrigerate 20 minutes to firm.
  3. Place meatballs on the surface of the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer over medium heat until the meatballs are firm and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Gently stir the meatballs into the tomato mixture. Cover the pot and continue to simmer 45 minutes more. Stir in the lemon juice, and taste for seasoning, adding additional lemon juice if required. Stir in the raisins, and honey. Add the brown sugar, a little at a time, tasting after each addition. Cook mixture over medium heat 15 minutes more.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 347 | Total Fat: 15.2g | Cholesterol: 97mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 20, 2008 by Ama's recipes   view full review
This is the first recipe I have done a review on. I have made this multiple times and it is...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 21, 2010 by SunnyByrd   view full review
We really liked this. I adjusted this recipe to use 5lbs of ground beef, so I made a LOT of...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 11, 2008 by WINDYMOM   view full review
I will never make cabbage rolls again. I have rarely heard my husband rave as much or as...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 12, 2007 by bornagainrainbow   view full review
I too grew up with this recipe. It is truly wonderful and worth the time. It was always a...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 24, 2011 by mlmacklin   view full review
I thought that this was an excellent recipe and loved the blend of flavors. I left out the...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 22, 2010 by Carolyn   view full review
Delicious..Did use turkey to be healthier..added bread crumbs instead of rice to the meat...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 15, 2010 by Rick   view full review
THis is really good. It takes a few hours to prepare but it is really worth it. There is a...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on May 28, 2008 by sweetascandice   view full review
Having had mediocre cabbage rolls this past weekend, I was craving something good. This was...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 28, 2011 by Vicki   view full review
Very easy and tasty. I used a bag of cole slaw mix instead of chopping the cabbage. I also...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 29, 2009 by eddievedderandme   view full review
OH Chef Daddy Pete...all I can say is yumm yumm yumm! What a wonderful recipe and its so so...

 

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