Discover the Ultimate Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl: Quick, Delicious & Healthy!

Craving the comforting flavors of cabbage rolls but want a low-carb, quick-to-make alternative? Look no further than the Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl! This deconstructed dish captures all the deliciousness of traditional cabbage rolls without the added carbs and time-consuming preparation. It's a one-pan wonder that's ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

What is Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl?

Think of it as an egg roll or unstuffed cabbage roll, but without the wrapper or the fuss. This dish features a flavorful combination of ground meat, shredded cabbage, and a savory sauce, all cooked in a single skillet. It's loaded with protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup.
Low Carb: A great way to enjoy the flavors of cabbage rolls without the carbs. A generous serving of this dish is only 4.75-7.6 net carbs!
One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Customizable: Easily adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the familiar flavors and textures.

Ingredients You'll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients:

Ground Meat: Ground pork, beef, turkey, or chicken all work well. For fattier meats like ground beef and ground pork the dish will stay moist. However lean proteins like ground turkey tend to dry out, so you may want to add a little extra sesame oil or olive oil into the mix.
Cabbage: Thinly shredded green cabbage is ideal. You can use a pre-shredded coleslaw mix for convenience, or shred your own using a knife or mandoline (be careful!).
Aromatics: Garlic and ginger are essential for that signature Asian flavor. Freshly minced is best!
Sauce: A combination of soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a soy-free option), rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), sesame oil, and a sweetener of choice (such as brown sugar monk fruit for keto). Some recipes use oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is a mixture of caramelised oyster juices, salt, sugar, and sometimes soy sauce, plus cornstarch which is used for thickening.
Optional Additions: Shredded carrots, bean sprouts, sliced mushrooms, onions, spices, chili garlic sauce, sriracha, fish sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to make Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl in a few easy steps:

Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. Be sure to get some browning on the meat, otherwise you will not have much texture in the finished dish.
Add Aromatics and Vegetables: Push the meat to one side of the pan and add minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for a minute until fragrant. Then, add the shredded cabbage and carrots (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender but still has a bit of a bite.
Make the Sauce: In a jar or small bowl, whisk together soy sauce (or coconut aminos), rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), sesame oil, sweetener, and chili garlic sauce (if using).
Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetable mixture. Toss to coat everything evenly. Cook, stirring regularly, for 5-6 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your desired tenderness.
Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a fried egg for an extra protein boost.

Tips for the Perfect Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

Don't Overcook the Cabbage: For the best texture, cook the cabbage until it's tender-crisp.
Adjust the Sweetness and Spice: Add more or less sweetener and chili garlic sauce to suit your taste.
Use a Large Skillet: Since everything cooks in one pan, make sure you have a large enough skillet to accommodate all the ingredients.
Add Sesame Oil at the End: Sesame oil has a delicate flavor that can be lost if cooked for too long. Add it at the very end for the best results.
Get experimental: This is the perfect recipe to get experimental because you really can’t mess it up. Have some fun in the kitchen.

Variations and Customizations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing your Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl. Here are a few ideas:

Read also: Low-Carb Cabbage Roll Casserole

Change the Meat: Use ground pork, chicken, turkey, or even shrimp.
Add More Veggies: Sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and onions are all great additions.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Add an Egg: Top your bowl with a fried egg for extra protein and flavor.
Make it Vegetarian: Omit the meat and add tofu or tempeh.
Add Umami: If you want to up-level the depth of flavor, try adding in a bit of fish sauce or oyster sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with:

Cauliflower rice
A side of roasted broccoli or skillet braised kale
A sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions
A fried egg

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cabbage may soften slightly over time as it soaks up the sauce.
Reheating: Warm up leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat for the best taste and texture. You can also microwave it, but the cabbage may become softer.
Freezing: This recipe is freezer-friendly! To freeze it, seal it in ziplock freezer bags in single or family-size portions and press out all the air. To thaw, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge, or remove it from the bag, place it in a bowl and thaw it on defrost in the microwave.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use. However, a typical serving of Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl contains:

Calories: Varies depending on ingredients
Net Carbs: 4.75-7.6 grams
Protein: High
Fat: Moderate to High