Romanian Cabbage Rolls Soup (Ciorbă de Sarmale)

Ciorbă de Sarmale is a traditional Romanian soup made with cabbage rolls, a staple dish in Romanian cuisine. This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect for cold winter days and is often enjoyed during festive occasions.

Romanian Cabbage Rolls Soup (Ciorbă de Sarmale)

Ingredients

  • 1 large cabbage
  • 500g ground pork
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 liter chicken or vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Boil the whole cabbage in a large pot of water for 5-7 minutes, then carefully remove the leaves and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, mix the ground pork, rice, chopped onion, grated carrot, tomato paste, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Place a spoonful of the pork mixture onto each cabbage leaf, then roll them up and secure with toothpicks.
  4. In a large pot, arrange the cabbage rolls, pour the broth over them, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours.
  5. Serve the Ciorbă de Sarmale hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
30 minutes
Cooking time:
2 hours
Total time:
2 hours
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
350 per serving
Carbohydrates
25g
Protein
20g
Fat
15g

Supplies

Large pot Bowl Knife Cutting board

Tools

Toothpicks

Serving suggestions

Serve the Ciorbă de Sarmale with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of crusty bread.

Tips & tricks

For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of vinegar to the soup just before serving.

Cost

$15