Macedonian Sarmi with Sauerkraut
Hearty and flavorful rolls made from pickled sauerkraut leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and spices, slow-cooked to perfection.
🧂 Ingredients
- 20-25 large Sauerkraut leaves(from a whole head of sauerkraut, tough stems removed)
- 500 g Ground pork
- 250 g Ground beef
- 150 g Rice(rinsed)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp Sweet paprika
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 150 g Smoked bacon or pork belly(thinly sliced, for layering)
- 200 g Sauerkraut(chopped, for layering)
- 500 ml Water or broth
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the sauerkraut leaves by carefully separating them and trimming any thick ribs. If they are too salty, rinse them briefly under cold water.
- 2
In a large bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, rinsed rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, vegetable oil, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- 3
To assemble the sarmi, place a sauerkraut leaf on a clean surface with the rough side up. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto the wider end of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inwards, then roll it up tightly from the stem end towards the tip.
- 4
Line the bottom of a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with some chopped sauerkraut and slices of bacon. Arrange the rolled sarmi tightly in layers over the bacon and chopped sauerkraut.
- 5
Pour water or broth over the sarmi, ensuring they are mostly submerged. Place a heatproof plate on top to keep the sarmi in place during cooking. Add a few more slices of bacon and chopped sauerkraut on top if desired.
- 6
Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for at least 3 hours, or until the meat is cooked through and the rice is tender. Check periodically and add more liquid if necessary.
- 7
Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using a whole head of sauerkraut ensures the leaves are intact and easier to work with.
- ✓Don't overfill the leaves, as the rice will expand during cooking.
- ✓Slow and low cooking is key to tender sarmi and a well-developed flavor.
- ✓Leftovers often taste even better the next day.
🔄 Variations
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use a filling of rice, sautéed vegetables (mushrooms, carrots, leeks), and herbs.
- Some recipes include a tablespoon of tomato paste in the filling for added depth of flavor.
- A small piece of dried smoked meat (like ribs or a knuckle) can be added to the pot for extra flavor.