Sarma is a leaf wrapped around a filling of minced meat, rice, or both, then simmered. We carry 9 shelf-stable jars and bags of sour cabbage leaves, $10.99 to $18.69, and 7 sauerkraut jars and bags, $4.89 to $6.59. One refrigerated whole sour cabbage is store pickup only. (source)
Last updated 2026-10-17 · prices and product facts from the live catalog
What sarma is
Sarma is a Turkish word meaning "wrap". The dish is leaves rolled around minced meat, grains such as rice, or both. In Croatia sauerkraut leaves wrap a beef, pork and rice filling, a winter staple served on New Year's Eve. In Serbia, fermented cabbage is the wrap in winter and grapevine leaves replace it in spring and summer. (source)
Sour cabbage leaves vs grape leaves
Sour cabbage is cabbage fermented with salt, which gives the sour flavor and long shelf life. (source) Grape leaves come from the vine, are usually sold in brine, and suit the spring and summer version. Krinos Grape Leaves are $13.19 for 907g and $8.19 for 454g.
What you need from our shelf
- Leaves in jars or bags: Hina 1.6kg, $10.99; Natural Farmer 1.7L, $10.99; Marco Polo in brine 1.3kg, $12.09; Va-Va 1.55kg, $12.09; Gazda 1.62kg, $12.09; Zergüt 1.47kg, $14.29; Va-Va 1.9kg, $18.69.
- Whole head: Marco Polo Futog Whole Cabbage (kiseli kupus) 1809g, refrigerated, store pickup only.
- Sauerkraut: Belveder 900g, $4.89; Lowell 880g, $4.99; Zergüt 680g, $5.49.
- Seasoning: Vispak Tajna Sarma seasoning 50g, $2.19. Its list includes corn starch, wheat flour, monosodium glutamate, parsley, tomato powder, paprika, garlic and pepper.
- Ready-made: Va-Va Sarma Posna 980g, $13.19; Carnex Posna Sarma 400g, $6.59.
Our data lists no rice or Vegeta product for this page. Check the site search for them.
Basic method
General outline, not a tested recipe.
- Rinse the leaves; if too salty, soak briefly.
- Mix minced meat with rice, onion and seasoning.
- Roll a spoonful in each leaf and pack the rolls tightly in a pot.
- Cover with water, simmer on low heat until the rice and meat are cooked.
How long sarma keeps
General guidance. Cooked sarma keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator in a covered container, and it freezes for a few months. Reheat until steaming hot. Opened leaves also need the refrigerator: the Gazda leaves jar says to refrigerate after opening and use within 3 to 4 days.
Meatless sarma
Serbian vegetarian sarma is eaten during Lent and on Christmas Eve. (source) The word posna on a pack means meatless. Va-Va Sarma Posna is listed Vegan; Carnex Posna is listed Vegetarian and contains soy and wheat.
Sarma we carry
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Questions people ask
What is sarma?
Sarma is leaves rolled around a filling of minced meat, rice, or both, then simmered. The name is Turkish for "wrap". In the Balkans the leaf is usually sour cabbage in winter. Croatian sarma is a winter staple, traditionally served on New Year's Eve. (source)
Are sarma made with cabbage or grape leaves?
Both. In Serbia, fermented cabbage is the wrap in winter, and grapevine leaves replace it in spring and summer. Bulgaria follows the same pattern. Cabbage sarma is the heavier winter dish; grape leaf sarma is eaten when fresh leaves are available. (source)
What do I need to make sarma?
Sour cabbage leaves or a whole sour cabbage, minced meat and rice, onion and seasoning. From our shelf: leaves in jars from $10.99, Vispak Tajna Sarma seasoning at $2.19, and sauerkraut from $4.89. Our data has no rice or Vegeta product for this page.
How long does sarma keep?
General guidance: cooked sarma keeps 3 to 4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator and can be frozen for a few months. Reheat until steaming hot. The Gazda leaves jar says to refrigerate after opening and use within 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze sarma?
Yes, as general guidance. Cool the cooked rolls, pack them in a freezer container with a little of the cooking liquid, and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat until steaming hot. Follow the package for ready-made sarma such as Va-Va Posna.
Do sour cabbage leaves need to be refrigerated?
Most of our leaves are shelf-stable jars and bags, so they ship. Marco Polo Futog Whole Cabbage 1809g is the exception: it is refrigerated and store pickup only. After opening, refrigerate any jar. Gazda says use within 3 to 4 days once opened.
What is the difference between sarma and dolma?
In Turkish cooking, sarma means fillings wrapped in leaves, while dolma more properly means stuffed vegetables. Balkan cooks usually say sarma for the cabbage rolls. We also carry ready stuffed grape leaves with rice: Zergüt dolma 280g at $4.39, which ships. (source)
Where to buy sarma in the US
Online at hamiltoneuromarkets.com with UPS shipping to every state, or at our stores: San Jose — 4160 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129 · Alhambra — 445 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801. Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 10 AM–7 PM.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarma_(food) · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerkraut. Product facts come from the package; general food-handling notes are guidance, not medical advice. Written and checked by Hamilton Euromarket.