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How to Make Dominican Niño Envuelto Recipe (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

The Homestyle Comfort of Niño Envuelto

Niño Envuelto (literally “wrapped child”) is the Dominican take on stuffed cabbage rolls. Influenced by Middle Eastern and Eastern European culinary traditions brought to the Caribbean, this dish features tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, uncooked long-grain rice, and sofrito.

The rolls are nestled tightly in a caldero and simmered in a seasoned tomato and olive sauce until the cabbage is tender and the rice inside has absorbed all the savory pan juices.

  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Servings: 6 servings 


Recipe for Dominican Niño Envuelto (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

Ingredients:

  • 1 large head green cabbage (approx. 12 outer leaves)
  • 1 lb ground beef (85/15) 
  • 1/2 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained 
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely minced 
  • 1/2 cubanelle pepper, minced 
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced 
  • 1 tsp dried Dominican oregano 
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce 
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth 
  • 2 tbsp pitted green olives, sliced 
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 
  • Salt and black pepper to taste 

Step-by-Step Assembly Guide

  1. Blanch Cabbage Leaves: Core the cabbage head and submerge in a pot of boiling salted water for 4–5 minutes until outer leaves soften. Carefully peel 12 large leaves and pat dry. Shave down the thick central stem on each leaf so it rolls easily.
  2. Mix Filling: In a bowl, mix raw ground beef, rinsed uncooked white rice, minced onion, cubanelle pepper, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Roll: Lay a cabbage leaf flat. Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling near the base. Fold the bottom over the filling, tuck in the sides, and roll tightly into a neat cylinder.
  4. Simmer: Layer any extra cabbage scraps on the bottom of a caldero. Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down tightly in the pot. Pour the tomato broth and olives over the rolls.
  5. Cook: Cover tightly and simmer over low heat for 40–45 minutes until the rice inside is fully cooked and tender.

Instructions:

  1. Blanch Cabbage: Boil whole cabbage in salted water for 5 minutes until leaves are pliable. Peel 12 large leaves and trim the thick stem ridge.
  2. Make Filling: In a bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, onion, cubanelle pepper, garlic, oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Roll: Place 2 tablespoons of filling on each leaf. Fold bottom over, tuck in sides, and roll up tightly.
  4. Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk tomato sauce, chicken broth, olive oil, olives, and a pinch of salt.
  5. Cook: Arrange rolls seam-side down in a heavy caldero. Pour sauce over top. Cover tightly, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes until rice is tender.
  6. Serve: Spoon warm tomato sauce over the rolls and serve with white rice or maduros!

Enjoy your delicious and traditional Authentic Dominican Niño Envuelto (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)! De lo mio!


Ingredient Variations for Dominican Niño Envuelto (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

You can make substitutions for some ingredients in the Authentic Dominican Niño Envuelto (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) recipe:

  1. Cabbage: Green cabbage or Savoy cabbage (Savoy leaves are naturally more pliable).
  2. Meat: Ground beef, ground pork, ground turkey, or seasoned plant-based meat.
  3. Rice: Standard long-grain white rice or parboiled rice.

Remember that while substitutions can provide a unique twist to the recipe, they might also alter the traditional flavor and authenticity of Authentic Dominican Niño Envuelto (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls). Experiment and adjust according to your taste preferences and dietary needs.


Frequently Asked Questions for Dominican Niño Envuelto (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

  1. Can I make these in the oven? Yes. Place rolls seam-side down in a 9×13-inch baking dish, pour tomato sauce over them, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50 minutes.
  2. Can I use ground turkey? Yes, ground turkey or pork makes a delicious filling.


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Comments and Reviews

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