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The Melting Pot
Runza hero image coming soon
1946-1969 - German-Russian American immigrant communities in the Midwest and Great Plains
Runza is a yeast-leavened bread pocket filled with seasoned ground beef, cabbage, onions, and spices. Of German-Russian origin, it became a regional favorite in the American Midwest and Great Plains, especially Nebraska, during the postwar era as a convenient savory meal.
Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
30 minutes
Cook time
25 minutes
Total time
1 hour 10 minutes
Servings
8 pockets
Region
Midwest, Great Plains
Era introduced
1946-1969
Introduced by
German-Russian American immigrant communities in the Midwest and Great Plains
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Runza originates from the German-Russian immigrants who settled the Great Plains and Midwest in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This stuffed bread combines familiar flavors of beef, cabbage, and onions wrapped in a soft yeast dough. It symbolizes comfort food in regional American communities and is widely enjoyed at family dinners, sporting events, and community gatherings.
Recipe adapted from German-Russian American cookery traditions in the Midwest and Great Plains. Verification of traditional ingredients and techniques recommended.
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