Finnish Cabbage Casserole recipe (Kaalilaatikko)

Finnish Cabbage Casserole recipe (Kaalilaatikko)

Tuija

Servings

4

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

2.5 hours

Cuisine

Finnish

Category

Main course

This recipe is very simple, delicious and easy to prepare - what more you could want?

Economical? Yes, it's not expensive.

Healthy? Yes, like most Finnish food, cabbage casserole is also healthy.

This recipe is from my family archives, and it actually has not been written down before this, it has just been passed on for generations, it is originally from my grandmother's grandmother (She was born in 1860).

So this recipe is way over 100 years old, from the time rice was not yet common in normal Finnish households. 

We call it "kaalilaatikko", even though it is more like "kaalipata", a pot of cabbage and meat.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb minced meat, beef/pork (a mix of beef and pork is tastier than just beef, because pork has more fat)

  • 1 tablespoon butter for frying

  • 2 lb white cabbage

  • 1 generous teaspoon salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar

  • 1 1/4 cups water

  • Lingonberries, crushed with sugar or lingonberry jam

Directions

  1. Fry the minced meat with butter in the biggest pot you have that can handle also oven.

  2. Chop the cabbage to about tablespoon sized pieces.

  3. Add the cabbage pieces on top of the meat.

  4. Add salt and sugar.

  5. Add 1 cup of water.

  6. Heat the oven to 400 °F) and add the pot there with the lid on.

  7. Check every 30 min that there is still water (if not, add 1/4 cup of water, cabbage will also produce liquid) so that it will not burn.

  8. Remove the lid to get more color on top (in case the casserole seems to be soon burning, add the lid back on).

  9. After 2.5 hours the casserole should be ready, a little brown on top.

  10. Enjoy with crushed, sugared lingonberries or lingonberry jam. 

Traditional Finnish Cabbage Casserole recipe

Traditional Finnish Cabbage Casserole recipe - Feels like Finland

Juicy, tasty, comforting Finnish dish! The slightly sweet taste of cabbage is perfect with lingonberries, when the tartness of lingonberry is tamed with sugar..😋

Preparing Finnish Cabbage Casserole takes time, but the oven does most of the work, so you can easily do this too!

Bring Finland to your kitchen with this easy recipe 🥰

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Looking for Finnish recipes?

Get my new recipe e-book: The Essential Finnish Cookbook and start cooking!

Do you use cups or deciliters?

I use cups & °FahrenheitI use deciliters & °Celsius
All recipes
Home is where the Finnish Food is, Organic cotton apron with print - Feels like Finland

Hei, I'm Tuija!

Want to bring Finland closer to you with food?

Tasting familiar dishes from Finland can make you instantly travel in time and remember your Finnish family members and special occasions.

It happens to me every time!

Check my easy and delicious recipes for Finnish food and bring Finland to your kitchen!

Let's start cooking!

It starting to feel like Finland..

Take a look at my designs inspired by Finland and Finnish cuisine. When Finland is far away, you can bring some of it to you!

View all

Blog posts

View all
  • Finnish Coffee Brownies (Mokkapalat) - Feels like Finland

    Finnish Coffee Brownies (Mokkapalat)

    Sweet aromas of coffee, cocoa, sugar and vanilla - what could go wrong? Nothing. These Mokkapalat brownies are pure joy to taste! This coffee brownies recipe came to Finland already in the...

    1 comment

    Finnish Coffee Brownies (Mokkapalat)

    Sweet aromas of coffee, cocoa, sugar and vanilla - what could go wrong? Nothing. These Mokkapalat brownies are pure joy to taste! This coffee brownies recipe came to Finland already in the...

    1 comment
  • Finnish Berry Pie (Marjapiirakka) - Feels like Finland

    Finnish Berry Pie (Marjapiirakka)

    Finns love berries - and there are so many yummy berries in Finland! This berry pie is delicious and easy to make. The crust does not need pre-baking and you...

    Finnish Berry Pie (Marjapiirakka)

    Finns love berries - and there are so many yummy berries in Finland! This berry pie is delicious and easy to make. The crust does not need pre-baking and you...

  • Finnish Semolina Porridge and Blueberry Soup (Mannapuuro ja Mustikkakeitto) recipe - Feels like Finland

    Finnish Semolina Porridge and Blueberry Soup (M...

    The creamy semolina porridge with cold blueberry soup is the best food for a hot day! You can enjoy them both straight from the fridge, perfect! This classic, tasty Finnish dish...

    Finnish Semolina Porridge and Blueberry Soup (M...

    The creamy semolina porridge with cold blueberry soup is the best food for a hot day! You can enjoy them both straight from the fridge, perfect! This classic, tasty Finnish dish...

1 3
View all