Croatian Sarma Soup Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Dive into the comforting flavors of Eastern Europe with this hearty Croatian Sarma Soup, a delightful rendition of stuffed cabbage soup that’s perfect for chilly days. This recipe combines tender rolls of green cabbage stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, ground pork, and rice, simmered gently in a flavorful tomato and paprika-infused broth. Enhanced with tangy sauerkraut, earthy potatoes, and sweet carrots, this soup balances richness and brightness in every bite. Slow-cooked to perfection, each spoonful delivers a taste of tradition, while the addition of warm spices and aromatic bay leaves fills your home with irresistible aromas. Serve this wholesome dish with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal that celebrates the essence of Croatian comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 head green cabbage
• 500 grams ground beef
• 300 grams ground pork
• 100 grams white rice
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1.5 liters vegetable broth
• 2 pieces bay leaves
• 300 grams sauerkraut
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 medium potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the cabbage: Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage. Core it, and place the whole head in a large pot of boiling water for 5–7 minutes to soften. Once softened, carefully peel off the large outer leaves and set them aside. Repeat until you have at least 12 large cabbage leaves.

Step 2

Chop the remaining inner portion of the cabbage into small pieces to use in the soup base.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, uncooked rice, minced onion, minced garlic, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Step 4

Place a heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Roll tightly, folding in the sides as you go, to form a stuffed cabbage roll. Set aside.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened and translucent.

Step 6

Stir in the garlic, paprika, and tomato paste. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 7

Add the chopped cabbage, sauerkraut, sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and bay leaves to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.

Step 8

Carefully arrange the cabbage rolls on top of the vegetable mixture in the pot. Add enough water to ensure the rolls are mostly submerged.

Step 9

Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about 1.5 hours, until the cabbage rolls are cooked through and the flavors have melded together.

Step 10

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.

Step 11

Gently remove the cabbage rolls to serve alongside the soup, or leave them in the pot to present them as a blended dish.

Step 12

Serve hot with crusty bread and enjoy the comforting flavors of Croatian Sarma Soup.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3792.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3706.6

Total Fat 202.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 69.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.7g
Cholesterol 636.0mg	0%
Sodium 8625.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 54.2g	0%
Total Sugars 61.2g
Protein 213.9g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 763.7mg	0%
Iron 32.1mg	0%
Potassium 8342.6mg	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: 48.0%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 29.4%