Croatian Cabbage Stew Prisiljeno Zelje

Warm up your kitchen with the comforting flavors of Croatian Cabbage Stew, known as Prisiljeno Zelje—a rich, hearty dish perfect for cold-weather meals. This traditional recipe combines tender green cabbage, creamy potatoes, and smoky sausage or pancetta, creating a satisfying medley of textures and flavors. A fragrant base of sautéed onions, garlic, and sweet paprika sets the tone, while a splash of optional apple cider vinegar adds a tangy twist to balance the richness. Slowly simmered in a savory broth with bay leaves, this one-pot wonder is easy to prepare and deeply nourishing. Ideal as a standalone dish or paired with crusty bread, this classic Croatian stew brings old-world charm to your dinner table while being a wholesome, crowd-pleasing favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head (approximately 1.5 lbs) Green cabbage
• 3 medium Potatoes
• 8 oz Smoked sausage or smoked pancetta
• 1 medium Onion
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp Sweet paprika
• 1 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2 Bay leaves
• 4 cups Chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp (to taste) Salt
• 0.5 tsp (to taste) Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Optional: Apple cider vinegar

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the vegetables: Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage, rinse it well, and shred it thinly. Peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.

Step 2

2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

4. Stir in the sweet paprika and flour, cooking for another 1-2 minutes to create a lightly thickened base.

Step 5

5. Add the shredded cabbage and diced potatoes to the pot. Stir everything together to coat the vegetables in the oil and spices.

Step 6

6. Place the smoked sausage or pancetta on top of the vegetables. Add the bay leaves and pour in the chicken or vegetable stock until it covers the ingredients.

Step 7

7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

8. Check the tenderness of the cabbage and potatoes. Once cooked through, remove the smoked meat from the pot and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Return the meat to the stew.

Step 9

9. Optional: Add apple cider vinegar for a tangy flavor boost, adjusting the amount to your taste.

Step 10

10. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Ladle the hot stew into bowls and enjoy with crusty bread or as a standalone dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2688.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1780.9

Total Fat 88.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 158.8mg	0%
Sodium 8058.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 203.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 35.6g	0%
Total Sugars 39.9g
Protein 59.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 500.8mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 5427.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.1%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 44.0%