You’ve come to the correct spot if you’re wondering what to serve with your cabbage rolls.
In this essay, I present 51 of the most popular cabbage roll side dishes.
In a rush? Heres the short answer.
Mashed potatoes, apple fennel slaw, pierogies, dinner rolls, and roasted baby carrots go well with cabbage rolls. For healthy alternatives, try mashed cauliflower, dill pickles, or jajik. Serve with kopytka, sautéed beets, scallion pancakes, fried rice, or egg drop soup.
Ready? Lets jump right in.
Contents
- Eastern European classics
- Chinese favorites
- Starches
- Vegetables
- Salads
- The best side dishes for cabbage rolls
- What To Serve With Cabbage Rolls – 51 Ideas
- FAQs
- What to pair with cabbage?
- Do you thaw frozen cabbage rolls before cooking?
- What goes with cabbage casserole?
- Is it better to freeze or boil cabbage for cabbage rolls?
- What protein goes best with cabbage?
- Is cabbage good for your bowels?
- How long do cabbage rolls last in the fridge?
- Do cooked cabbage rolls need to be refrigerated?
- How do you defrost rolls without them going soggy?
- What sides do you serve with a casserole?
Eastern European classics
Making cabbage rolls in the manner of Eastern Europe? Combine them with traditional comfort foods like pierogies and borscht for the ultimate comfort dinner!
If you want additional protein, grill up some kielbasa links.
Pierogies
Hosting a holiday party?
Make these pierogies to pair with your cabbage rolls, inspired by Polish cuisine.
Dumplings stuffed with mashed potatoes and cheese?
Sign me up!
These delectable sweets are so delicious that you’ll be able to devour a platter of them without even noticing.
Recipe FeaturedPierogiesChange up the fillingPierogies with mushroomsMake it fusion-style.Pierogies with Philly cheesesteak
Borscht
Serving borscht with cabbage rolls may seem extravagant, but it doesn’t hurt to indulge in wonderful comfort food every now and again, right?
On a chilly winter day, eat this soup and let the warm and tangy tastes make you feel comfy.
Psst, try the more refreshing green borscht in the summer.
Add a spoonful of sour cream to this soup to take it to the next level.
Recipe FeaturedBorschtLeave out the beets.Borscht (green)Another variantWhite borscht from Poland
Kopytka (Polish potato dumplings)
How do you make Polish cabbage rolls (also known as golabki)?
Polish cabbage rolls pair well with kopytka (potato dumplings).
Kopytka are traditionally prepared using mashed potatoes, flour, and an egg. And end up tasting a lot like gnocchi.
Except they have a characteristic diamond form that distinguishes them.
Curious about this dish?
Crunchy Creamy Sweet offers a terrific recipe for these Polish potato dumplings that is simple to make.
Recipe FeaturedKopytkaMake it soothing.Soup with Polish potatoesMaintain simplicity.Dill-infused potatoes from Poland
Kashe varnishkes
Do you want anything to go with your cabbage rolls?If you’re looking for something different, give Kashe varnishkes a go.
It’s a traditional Jewish pasta dish prepared with bowtie pasta and buckwheat groats.
Add some mushrooms and truffle oil for a delightful umami taste, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Recipe FeaturedAnother favorite is Kashe varnishkes.kugel noodleHaluski goes Polish
Chinese favorites
Because Chinese-style cabbage rolls are often rice-free, I like to combine them with fried rice for a healthy take-out lunch.
Alternatively, a mild soup for dipping might be served. For a little spice, consider hot and sour soup or egg drop soup.
Egg drop soup
Cabbage rolls are a popular delicacy all throughout the globe, and each country has its unique variant.
Cabbage rolls are considered like dumplings in China, and they are often packed with an all-meat filling.
A traditional complement is egg drop soup. It’s warm and cozy, and it’s created with basic, readily available ingredients.
Don’t be turned off by the thought of eggy soup. I guarantee you’ll like it.
Recipe FeaturedSoup with egg dropsAnother traditional Chinese dishSoup with hot and sour sauceInclude extra vegetables.Soup with bok choy
Fried rice
Fried rice may be the answer if you want a more substantial side dish to go with your Chinese cabbage rolls.
It’s the ideal foundation for meat-filled cabbage wraps.
And it’s loaded with vegetables and herbs to boost the taste.
Pro tip: For a really delicious meal, fried your rice in chicken, duck, or bacon fat.
Recipe FeaturedFried rice with eggsMaintain simplicity.Lemon rice from GreeceMake it more nutritious.Fried quinoa rice
Scallion pancakes
Are you going to eat Chinese cabbage rolls for a snack?
Make it a meal by adding a plate (or two) of these scallion pancakes.
The pancakes are very flaky and chewy, making them great for dipping. This dish calls for a sesame-soy-ginger sauce.
You can dip your cabbage rolls in it too!
Recipe FeaturedPancakes with scallionsRoti Canai Malaysian StyleMake it unique.toasted sesame buns with fried scallions
Starches
If you want a substantial supper, starchy side dishes are the way to go.
I usually serve the cabbage rolls with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the wonderful sauce, but anything with potatoes is also a good alternative.
Mashed potatoes
Serve your cabbage rolls with a heaping amount of creamy mashed potatoes for a supper that everyone will enjoy.
Because, let’s face it, nothing beats the bliss of a dish of buttery, fluffy mashed potatoes.
I prefer to take a cue from the Swedes and serve these mashed potatoes with lingonberry jam on the side.
Want to know how to reheat mashed potatoes? I experimented with six distinct alternatives.
Recipe FeaturedMashed potatoes from the SouthPreheat the oven to 350°F.Roast potatoes with parmesanCrisp it up.potatoes mashed
Garlic butter noodles
These garlic butter noodles go well with a labor-intensive main dish like cabbage rolls.
They’re simple to create and only need a few ingredients.
Aside from the noodles, everything is cooked in a single pot (which means less mess for you to clean up after dinner!)
Recipe FeaturedNoodles with garlic butterMake it hot.Noodles with garlic and chili oilCream it up.Alfredo sauce for fettuccine
Dinner rolls
You can’t go wrong with these golden-brown dinner rolls with your cabbage rolls.
They’re soft and fluffly, and they’re ideal for sopping up the savory sauce from your cabbage rolls.
And the best part?
They’re so simple to create that even inexperienced bakers can do it.
This recipe for soft dinner rolls is almost foolproof.
Recipe FeaturedThe dinner rollsMake it seem nice.Rolls of French breadAdapt it to be keto-friendly.Bread in the clouds
Vegetables
A dinner cannot have too many veggies! For extra texture, I serve my cabbage rolls with steamed green beans.
However, for a more full meal, consider roasting carrots or beets.
Roasted baby carrots
Cabbage rolls may be a dinner on their own, but they lack a vegetable component for a complete supper (yeah, I’m not including the cabbage!).
These roasted baby carrots are a quick and simple addition to cabbage rolls.
They’re coated with olive oil, honey, and cinnamon, and the exterior is softly crunchy and caramelized. Inside is delicate and sensitive.
Yum.
Recipe FeaturedBaby carrots cooked in the air fryerKeep it up to date.Salad with carrots and sesame seedsMake it comfortable.Soup with carrots
Mashed cauliflower
Looking for a light side dish to go with your cabbage rolls?
This mashed cauliflower has your back.
It’s a low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
What’s the trick to making this nearly as silky as potatoes? Buttermilk is creamy while while being low in fat.
Pro tip: I like to roast part of the cauliflower to add depth of flavor and keep the mash from becoming too watery.
Recipe FeaturedCauliflower mashedAnother low-carb optionPureed parsnipAvoid using the cooktop.Roasted cauliflower with seasoning
Dill pickles
If you want something extra to round out your dinner but don’t want a full-on side, these garlic dill pickles are for you.
They have a good combination of spicy and tangy tastes.
They also have a delightful crunch that will complement your delicate cabbage rolls.
And they’ll keep in the fridge for a long, so you can eat them for weeks!
Recipe FeaturedPickles with a kick of garlic and dillAnother personal faveRed onion pickles Include extra vegetables.Pickled veggies in a hurry
Bacon-wrapped green bean bundles
Serving cabbage rolls at your holiday dinner?
These bacon-wrapped green bean bundles are a great side dish to offer with them.
The brown sugar, pepper, and rosemary sprinkled over the bean bundles lift the meal from ordinary to extraordinary, and it’s also delicious!
Keep an additional tray of these cookies concealed from your visitors so you don’t run out right away.
Recipe FeaturedGreen bean bundles coated with baconStart the stoveSkillet garlic green beansInclude a sauceGreen beans with Dijon tahini
Sauteed beets
The Ukrainian version of cabbage rolls (also known as Holubtsi) is a difficult meal to prepare.
So, after making your cabbage rolls, try these sautéed beets to keep things simple.
After cooking the beets in vegetable broth until tender, a touch of lemon is added to balance out their sweetness.
Theyre great for making ahead of time too.
Recipe FeaturedBeets sautéRemove the cooktop.Roasted beets with balsamic glazeMake it sour.Pickled beets in the refrigerator
Salads
A crisp salad is a simple and refreshing accompaniment to your cabbage rolls lunch.
A simple cucumber salad adds a refreshing bite to the delicate cabbage rolls.
However, for a French touch, try a dijon carrot salad, or a cucumber jicama slaw for some great Mexican fusion.
Apple fennel slaw
With a portion of this apple and fennel slaw, you may add a refreshing flavor to your cabbage rolls.
The slaw has a lovely tangy taste that pairs well with the thick and meaty cabbage rolls.
The apples, fennel, and red onions all have a delightful crunch to offset the gentleness of the rolls.
Recipe FeaturedSlaw with apples and fennelMake it energizing.Slaw with cucumber and jicamaThai carrot slaw is a popular Asian dish.
Jajik
Try Lebanese cabbage rolls with a side of jajik for a gastronomic experience.
Jajik is a fancy term for a Middle Eastern cucumber yogurt salad.
You only need six ingredients to make it, and you can easily alter it to your liking.
I usually use a lot of garlic since I adore it (who doesn’t?).
Recipe FeaturedMake Jajik (cucumber yogurt and mint salad) dairy-free.Salad with mashed cucumbers from ChinaMake a Mexican meal.Pico de gallo with cucumber
The best side dishes for cabbage rolls
- Pierogies
- Borscht
- Kopytka
- Kashe varnishkes
- Egg drop soup
- Scallion pancakes
- Fried rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Garlic butter noodles
- Dinner rolls
- Roasted baby carrots
- Mashed cauliflower
- Dill pickles
- Bacon-wrapped green bean bundles
- Sauteed beets
- Apple fennel slaw
- Jajik (cucumber yogurt salad)
What To Serve With Cabbage Rolls – 51 Ideas
Print Pin Rate
Ingredients
- 1portionpierogies
- 1portionfried rice
- 1portionmashed potatoes
- 1portionjajik
- 1portionbacon-wrapped green beans
- 1portionborscht
Instructions
- Make your cabbage rolls according to your preferred recipe.
- Meanwhile, select one of the following sides to go with it.
- Pierogies, borscht, kopytka, kashe varnishkes, egg drop soup, scallion pancakes, fried rice, mashed potatoes, garlic butter noodles, dinner rolls, roasted baby carrots, mashed cauliflower, dill pickles, bacon-wrapped green bean bundles, sauteed beets, apple fennel slaw, and jajik are among the side dishes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQs
What to pair with cabbage?
What Can You Make With Cabbage?
Any kind of main course, including chicken, salmon, white fish, pork chops, pig roast, or pot roast.
Sandwiches like a Reuben.
Steaks, bratwurst, sausage, or burgers grilled.
Sandwiches with sloppy joes or pulled pork.
Ribs on the grill.
Piccata di chicken.
Salad with cucumbers.
Salad with beans.
Do you thaw frozen cabbage rolls before cooking?
Unbaked cabbage rolls should be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen. To use, defrost slightly in the refrigerator overnight. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What goes with cabbage casserole?
Serve this ground beef and cabbage casserole with steaming rice or fluffy mashed potatoes for a full meal that’s great enough for a weeknight family supper.
Is it better to freeze or boil cabbage for cabbage rolls?
Blanching is significantly more dangerous than freezing. You won’t be immersing a head of cabbage in boiling water and withdrawing it every minute or two, resulting in hot water splashes. It also means that you may remove all of the leaves at once rather than in phases.
What protein goes best with cabbage?
What kind of meat goes well with cabbage? Cabbage is a healthy vegetable that complements anything from hog and beef to lamb, chicken, and other birds.
Is cabbage good for your bowels?
Cabbage is high in fiber and glucosinolates, and it aids in water retention. It helps to keep food bulky while it travels through the colon, so treating constipation.
How long do cabbage rolls last in the fridge?
To prepare ahead of time: Refrigerate cabbage rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze in an airtight jar for up to 1 month. Warm up from freezing.
Do cooked cabbage rolls need to be refrigerated?
How to Store Cabbage
Cooked cabbage should be refrigerated within two hours after cooking and used within 3-5 days. If the cabbage is part of a mixed cuisine, such as cabbage rolls, keep it in the fridge covered and utilize it within 3-4 days. Fresh or cooked cabbage may be frozen in sealed containers or freezer bags for 10-12 months.
How do you defrost rolls without them going soggy?
To absorb any moisture, thaw bread in microwave ovens by putting it with big kitchen towels, such as Plenty The Extra Big One. This keeps the bread from becoming soggy.
What sides do you serve with a casserole?
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