Just in time for Oktoberfest!
Bierocks (pronounced BROCK) are German yeast-raised rolls that are filled with a savory filling of cabbage, beef, and onions.
Can be Gluten-Free made with your favorite gluten-free bread dough. Can also be Vegetarian.
A childhood favorite. Cabbage Rolls – Bierocks
I couldn’t wait for Bierock day.
The smell of fresh-baked bread in the oven was heaven. I knew that the ketchup and honey on the table meant one thing. Mama was busy making a whole batch of Bierock! And, she was also baking up a whole bunch of sweet memories…
My mom had her own refrigerator rolls recipe that she would use for these delightful little bundles of yum. I will share that recipe with you. Yes, I carried on the tradition, but I also make them in different ways too:
You can use gluten-free bread dough to make them gluten-free.
You can use TVP (textured vegetable protein) crumbles instead of beef to make them vegetarian.
You can omit the cabbage and use the beef and add cheese for meat lovers only.
You can add carrots, onions, and mushrooms to the cabbage for a wonderful vegetarian version.
I am pretty sure someone was listening in through the kitchen window when the catchy phrase of “I bet you can’t eat just one” was uttered from my mouth. I am sure I said that. I think. Maybe. Or… I should have said that.
It is a correct statement none the less. I bet you cannot eat… just… one!
This is not a difficult recipe, really. You can use Rhodes Texas Rolls in place of the refrigerator rolls recipe (just note – not as delicious as the homemade bread, but, pretty close – and it does save time) and instead of a rolling-pin – I now use a KitchenAid mixer with a dough attachment roller. 🙂
It is just a matter of getting the rolls ready, cooking the hamburger and cabbage, and Ta-Da…. you have 2 dozen hot, delectable, delicious buns of joy. Pure joy!
And, by the way, these little delicious gems are great with a good Oktoberfest beer like Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest.
Or in Colorado – Just to name a few:
Left Hand Brewing
Longmont
Farmer’s Daughter Oktoberfest Lager
Grimm Brothers Brewhouse
Loveland
Docktoberfest
Dry Dock Brewing
Aurora
Check your local brewpubs, or liquor store to see what beer they have to celebrate Oktoberfest!
Enjoy!
- Serves: 24 Bierocks
- Serving size: 3 Rolls
- Calories: 390
- Fat: 13
- Saturated fat: 4
- Unsaturated fat: 0
- Trans fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 308
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 23
- 2 c warm water
- 2 pkg. dry yeast (4 tsp)
- ½ c sugar
- 6-7 c all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- ¼ c oil
- 1 lb grass-fed beef
- 1 shredded cabbage
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp ghee
- Add yeast to warm water. Let stand 10 minutes.
- Add salt, egg, and oil. Mix well.
- Add ½ of the flour. Mix well.
- Stir in remaining flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough comes together.
- Turn dough onto your counter and knead (1-2 minutes) until a soft, smooth dough forms, adding flour as needed. (Your finished dough should be tacky, but not stick to your hand or your kneading surface.)
- Shape dough into a round, place it in a greased bowl turning to coat the dough.
- Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap or a damp towel and place in a warm, draft-free place to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
- While the dough rises, make your filling.
- In a large non-stick frying pan, brown meat over medium-high until mostly cooked, 5-7 min.
- Drain.
- Return the pan to the heat and add onions. Cook 2-3 min, until they begin to soften.
- Add cabbage and cook 7-10 minutes, until cabbage is tender.
- Remove filling from heat and season with salt and pepper, crushed red pepper and ghee
- Punch dough and turn onto your work surface.
- Divide dough into 24 balls.
- Flatten each ball with a rolling pin into about a 4" circle.
- Spoon 2 large tablespoons of filling onto the center of each circle.
- Bring the edges together and pinch them to seal the dough completely.
- Repeat with the rest of the dough balls.
- Place the bierocks on a greased baking sheet and let rise, 30 minutes.
- Pre-heat your oven to 375F.
- Brush the bierocks lightly with butter or egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp water or milk and a pinch of salt) and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
- Remove from oven and let rest on a wire rack. (if they last that long!)
- Serve with honey, ketchup or mustard.
- Enjoy!