This Croatian comfort food dish consists of chopped cabbage combined with onions, garlic, sugar, tomato purée, and selected flavorings such as parsley, chives, salt, pepper, and cumin. The dish is sometimes additionally thickened with cornstarch, according to personal preferences.

Although it can be consumed on its own or paired with mashed potatoes, prisiljeno zelje is often served as an accompaniment to meat dishes such as meatballs, meatloaf, or roasts.