Description
This traditional Volga German recipe combines tender green cabbage sautéed with onions and aromatic caraway seeds with rustic, tender dumplings boiled in flavorful broth. It is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for a wholesome main course that celebrates simple, old-fashioned German culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cabbage Mixture
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter or bacon drippings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4–6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (for boiling dumplings)
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Cabbage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter or bacon drippings over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the chopped cabbage, salt, black pepper, and caraway seeds if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and lightly browned, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: While the cabbage cooks, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, then pour this mixture into the flour mixture. Stir gently until a soft, sticky dough forms—do not overmix to keep dumplings tender.
- Cook Dumplings: Bring a large pot of chicken or vegetable broth to a boil. Using two spoons, drop small scoops of the dumpling dough into the boiling broth. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook the dumplings for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they puff up and are cooked through.
- Combine and Serve: Remove dumplings from broth with a slotted spoon and add them directly to the cabbage mixture. Stir gently to combine everything evenly. Serve the dish warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Do not overmix dumpling dough, as it can lead to tough dumplings.
- Add cooked sausage or ham to the cabbage mixture to make the dish heartier.
- Leftover cabbage and dumplings reheat well in a skillet with a splash of broth to keep them moist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Volga German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
