As I reminisce about my culinary adventures, a memory flashes through my mind – the first time I tasted cabbage goulash.
The rich aroma wafting from the pot, the colorful medley of ingredients, and the hearty warmth that filled me up; it was a moment of pure gastronomic bliss.
Since then, I’ve been on a quest to perfect this traditional recipe and share its wonders with the world. Join me on this journey as we explore the captivating universe of cabbage goulash.
What is Cabbage Goulash?
Cabbage goulash is a savory and satisfying dish that combines the humble cabbage with a melange of herbs, spices, meats, and tomatoes.
Originating from Eastern European cuisine, this hearty stew-like dish is a celebration of flavors and textures that come together in perfect harmony.
Traditionally prepared in a large pot or Dutch oven, cabbage goulash is a favorite comfort food that warms both the body and the soul.
Why This Recipe Works?
The beauty of cabbage goulash lies in its simplicity and versatility. By combining basic ingredients such as ground beef, pork sausage, cabbage, tomatoes, and an array of herbs and spices, this recipe creates a symphony of flavors that is both familiar and exciting.
The slow cooking process allows the ingredients to meld together, enhancing the richness and depth of the dish. The addition of cabbage adds a sweet and earthy note, balancing the bold flavors of the meats and tomatoes.
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What You’ll Need to Make This Dish:
Before we embark on our culinary journey, let’s gather our provisions:
- Ground beef and pork sausage: These proteins form the backbone of the goulash, providing richness and depth of flavor. The combination of beef and pork adds complexity, while the fat content contributes to a satisfying mouthfeel.
- Beef broth: Beef broth serves as the base liquid, infusing the goulash with savory beef flavor. It adds depth and richness to the dish, enhancing its overall taste.
- Minced garlic and yellow onion: Garlic and onion are aromatic powerhouses that provide a robust flavor base for the goulash. They add sweetness, depth, and complexity to the dish, creating a savory foundation.
- Water: Water helps to thin out the goulash and create a flavorful broth. It ensures that the dish is well-hydrated and allows the flavors of the other ingredients to meld together.
- Dried thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, and sage: These dried herbs contribute layers of earthy, aromatic flavor to the goulash. They add complexity and depth, enhancing the overall taste profile with their herbal notes.
- Olive oil: Olive oil serves as the cooking fat and adds richness to the goulash. It helps to sauté the aromatics and proteins, ensuring they cook evenly and develop deep flavor.
- Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes: Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes provide acidity and sweetness to the goulash, balancing the richness of the meats. They also add depth of flavor and help to create a robust sauce.
- Adobo seasoning: Adobo seasoning adds a savory, slightly smoky flavor to the goulash. It typically contains a blend of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Bay leaves: Bay leaves add a subtle, herbal flavor to the goulash. They infuse the dish with their aromatic essence, contributing depth and complexity.
- Salt and black pepper: These seasoning agents are essential for enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients. They add depth and balance to the goulash, ensuring it’s well-seasoned and delicious.
- Shredded cabbage: Cabbage adds texture and a sweet, earthy flavor to the goulash. It provides a hearty, vegetable component that pairs well with the meats and helps to bulk up the dish.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese adds richness and creaminess to the goulash, as well as a tangy flavor. It serves as a delicious topping that melts into the dish, adding depth and indulgence.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1:
Start by heating up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add your ground beef and pork sausage. Stir and cook until they’re halfway done. You’ll notice the meat starting to brown.
Step 2:
Now, toss in the minced garlic, diced onions, and olive oil. Continue cooking and stirring until the meat is fully cooked and there’s no extra grease left in the pan. This will take a few minutes, but you’ll know it’s ready when the onions become soft and translucent.
Step 3:
Time to add some flavor! Pour in the water and beef broth, then stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, sage, Adobo seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good mix so that all the flavors combine nicely.
Step 4:
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the skillet. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. This will allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Step 5:
After 20 minutes, it’s time to add the shredded cabbage. Sprinkle it evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet. Depending on your preference, you can cook it for 5 minutes if you like your cabbage to have a bit of crunch, or up to 10 minutes for a softer texture. Stir it gently into the mixture so that the cabbage gets coated in all that delicious sauce.
Step 6:
Once the cabbage is cooked to your liking, take the skillet off the heat and carefully remove the bay leaves. They’ve done their job of adding flavor, but we don’t want anyone accidentally biting into one!
Step 7:
Now for the finishing touch – sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the goulash. The heat from the dish will help melt the cheese and make everything even more irresistible.
Step 8:
Serve your homemade cabbage goulash hot and enjoy the hearty, comforting flavors. It’s a satisfying meal that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out. Bon appétit!
Tips:
– For a deeper flavor profile, consider adding a splash of red wine to the goulash during the simmering process.
– Experiment with different types of cabbage, such as savoy or red cabbage, to add a unique twist to the dish.
– Leftover cabbage goulash can be transformed into a delicious filling for pierogies or stuffed peppers.
– To enhance the richness of the goulash, you can stir in a dollop of sour cream just before serving.
– Freeze any leftover goulash in portion-sized containers for quick and easy meals on busy days.
How to Store Leftovers:
If you find yourself with leftovers of this delectable dish, fear not! Cabbage goulash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through before enjoying another comforting meal.
Nutrition Information:
Per serving:
– Calories: 450
– Total Fat: 28g
– Saturated Fat: 10g
– Cholesterol: 90mg
– Sodium: 800mg
– Total Carbohydrates: 20g
– Dietary Fiber: 5g
– Sugars: 10g
– Protein: 30g
How Would I Recommend Serving Cabbage Goulash?
Over Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The velvety texture of mashed potatoes provides a perfect canvas for the robust flavors of the goulash to shine through.
Alongside Crusty Bread: Enjoy a slice of crusty bread to mop up the savory sauce and savor every last drop of the goulash.
With a Side Salad: Balance out the richness of the dish with a light and refreshing side salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette.
Topped with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or dill on top of the goulash to add a pop of freshness and color.
Alternatives
Ground Turkey: If you prefer a leaner option, ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.
Italian Sausage: Swap out the pork sausage for sweet or hot Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
Vegetable Broth: For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth to retain the savory element in the goulash.
Parmesan Cheese: If cheddar cheese is not to your liking, grated Parmesan or mozzarella can be used as a cheesy topping alternative.
Cabbage goulash recipe
Equipment
- large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 lb pork sausage
- ½ cup beef broth
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion – diced
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme.
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil.
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary.
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
- 2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage.
- 1 tablespoon Adobo Seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- ½ tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-½ cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Step 1:
- Start by heating up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add your ground beef and pork sausage. Stir and cook until they’re halfway done. You’ll notice the meat starting to brown.
Step 2:
- Now, toss in the minced garlic, diced onions, and olive oil. Continue cooking and stirring until the meat is fully cooked and there’s no extra grease left in the pan. This will take a few minutes, but you’ll know it’s ready when the onions become soft and translucent.
Step 3:
- Time to add some flavor! Pour in the water and beef broth, then stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, sage, Adobo seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good mix so that all the flavors combine nicely.
Step 4:
- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the skillet. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. This will allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Step 5:
- After 20 minutes, it’s time to add the shredded cabbage. Sprinkle it evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet. Depending on your preference, you can cook it for 5 minutes if you like your cabbage to have a bit of crunch, or up to 10 minutes for a softer texture. Stir it gently into the mixture so that the cabbage gets coated in all that delicious sauce.
Step 6:
- Once the cabbage is cooked to your liking, take the skillet off the heat and carefully remove the bay leaves. They’ve done their job of adding flavor, but we don’t want anyone accidentally biting into one!
Step 7:
- Now for the finishing touch – sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the goulash. The heat from the dish will help melt the cheese and make everything even more irresistible.
Step 8:
- Serve your homemade cabbage goulash hot and enjoy the hearty, comforting flavors. It’s a satisfying meal that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out. Bon appétit!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I make cabbage goulash in a slow cooker?
– Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker by following the same steps of searing the meats and sautéing the onion and garlic in a skillet before transferring all the ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the flavors have melded together.
2. Is cabbage goulash a gluten-free dish?
– Yes, this recipe is inherently gluten-free as it does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients. However, it is always recommended to double-check the labels of packaged products for any hidden sources of gluten.
3. Can I prepare the cabbage goulash ahead of time and freeze it?
– Absolutely! Cabbage goulash freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen goulash in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it on the stovetop.
4. What can I serve alongside cabbage goulash for a complete meal?
– Besides the suggested serving options, you can pair cabbage goulash with buttered noodles, roasted vegetables, or a hearty grain like quinoa for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
5. Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the goulash?
– Yes, you can customize the heat level of the goulash by adding red pepper flakes, paprika, or a dash of hot sauce to amp up the spiciness according to your preference.
6. Can I make a vegetarian version of cabbage goulash?
– Absolutely! You can omit the meats and opt for additional vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini to create a flavorful vegetarian goulash that is equally delicious and wholesome.
Conclusion:
As we come to the end of our culinary odyssey through the realms of cabbage goulash, I hope you have been inspired to embark on your own gastronomic adventures. This recipe, steeped in tradition and brimming with flavor, is a testament to the simple joys of cooking and sharing a wholesome meal with loved ones.
Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or as a comforting meal during busy weekdays, cabbage goulash is sure to warm your heart and nourish your soul.
So, gather your ingredients and let the aroma of simmering goodness envelop you in its embrace as you craft a bowl of pure comfort and satisfaction. Cheers to the joys of cooking and savoring delightful dishes like cabbage goulash that touch the deepest corners of our culinary desires.