Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas) (Turkish Appetizer)

A traditional Turkish dish made by filling grape leaves with a mix of rice, meat, and spices, then rolling them up and serving as an appetizer.

Ingredients

Meat Filling

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Rice Filling

• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste

Grape Leaves

• 20-24 grape leaves (fresh or jarred)

Assembly and Cooking

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Water for boiling

Sauce (optional)

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

Recipe Steps

1. Prepare the Meat Filling

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the mixture is browned and cooked through.

2. Prepare the Rice Filling

Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the cooked rice and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted and fragrant.

3. Prepare the Grape Leaves

If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds to make them pliable. If using jarred grape leaves, rinse them with cold water and drain well.

4. Assemble the Dolmas

Lay a grape leaf flat on a work surface. Place a tablespoon of rice filling in the center of the leaf. Add a tablespoon of meat filling on top of the rice. Roll the leaf up tightly and repeat with the remaining leaves and fillings.

5. Cook the Dolmas

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the stuffed grape leaves, seam-side down, and cook until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Add enough water to the skillet to cover the dolmas and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10-

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Generated time: 2026-03-10 22:27:59