Sarmale Românești cu Mămăligă (Romanian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Polenta & Smântână) – Authentic Romania Recipe
Romania’s undisputed national celebratory dish, scented with aromatic cimbru herb and served with hot polenta.
- Country of Origin
- 🇷🇴 Romania (Eastern Europe, Europe)
- Dietary Profile
- omnivore
- Prep Time
- 25 min
- Cook Time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Signature Staples
- Tender sour cabbage leaves stuffed with spiced pork/beef and rice, Warm golden cornmeal mămăligă, Cool sour cream, Cimbru (Romanian summer savory), Fresh dill
Ingredients for Sarmale Românești cu Mămăligă (Romanian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Polenta & Smântână) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) tender sour cabbage leaves stuffed with spiced pork/beef and rice, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups warm golden cornmeal mămăligă, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup cool sour cream
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with cimbru (Romanian summer savory)
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Romania seasoning (fresh dill, sweet paprika, bay leaf)
- 2.5 tbsp traditional cooking oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh citrus or herbs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Finely chop or mash tender sour cabbage leaves stuffed with spiced pork/beef and rice and mix in a bowl with cimbru (Romanian summer savory), fresh dill, sweet paprika, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt to form a savory filling.
- Portion or fold the seasoned mixture with warm golden cornmeal mămăligă into neat traditional parcels, dumplings, or patties.
- Heat a heavy skillet with oil over medium heat or bring a steamer/broth pot to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the parcels for 12–15 minutes until tender and cooked through (crisping the bottoms in the skillet if desired).
- Spoon cool sour cream generously over the top and serve warm.