Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet Sour Cabbage

Warm up your kitchen with Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet & Sour Cabbage, a heartwarming one-pot recipe that combines tradition with ease. This comfort food classic delivers all the rich, tangy-sweet flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls without the tedious prep work. Tender green cabbage, savory ground beef, and vibrant carrots simmer together in a luscious tomato-based sauce, enhanced with hints of brown sugar and a splash of white vinegar for that irresistible sweet-and-sour balance. With the addition of uncooked white rice, this dish becomes a filling, wholesome meal perfect for family dinners or meal prepping. Ready in just over an hour and made with simple pantry staples, this recipe honors nostalgic home cooking while keeping things low-effort and satisfying. Serve it hot and savor a taste of tradition in every spoonful!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium head Green cabbage, coarsely chopped
• 2 medium Carrots, sliced into thin rounds
• 28 ounces Diced tomatoes (canned, with juice)
• 8 ounces Tomato sauce
• 1 cup Water
• 3 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons White vinegar
• 0.5 cup Uncooked white rice
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the chopped cabbage and sliced carrots to the pot, stirring to combine. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.

Step 6

Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, and water. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Step 7

Add the brown sugar, white vinegar, uncooked rice, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the rice is tender and the cabbage is fully cooked.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy Grandma Elaine's comforting, unstuffed sweet & sour cabbage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2833.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2231.3

Total Fat 114.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 301.1mg	0%
Sodium 4589.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.9g	0%
Total Sugars 87.6g
Protein 104.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 654.1mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 4592.3mg	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: 44.8%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 37.1%