Keto Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: A Delicious and Easy Low-Carb Recipe

Keto stuffed cabbage rolls are a delightful and simple gourmet option, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe offers a lighter and easier alternative to traditional stuffed cabbage, with numerous variations, including casserole and unstuffed versions.

These keto cabbage rolls are not only delicious but also naturally paleo, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, Whole30 friendly, grain-free, and refined sugar-free. For those following an autoimmune protocol, this recipe can be adapted using a nomato sauce. They are also great for meal prep, reheating easily for convenient lunches or dinners.

Ingredients

• 10 green cabbage leaves (red cabbage can be used, but the leaves are typically smaller)
• 1 jar of Rao's red sauce (or your favorite jarred red sauce; for autoimmune protocol, use nomato sauce)
• 1 lb ground turkey (or ground beef, pork, or chicken)
• Cauliflower rice
• Onion
• Almond flour (or other flour of your choice)

Preparing the Cabbage Leaves

1. Blanch the Cabbage: In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the cabbage leaves until they are tender and flexible, approximately 1 minute 30 seconds.
2. Ice Bath: Remove the blanched cabbage leaves from the boiling water and soak them in ice water for about 30 seconds, then remove.

Making the Filling

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, 1 cup of jarred red sauce, cauliflower rice, almond flour, and onion. Season with salt and pepper.

Assembling the Cabbage Rolls

1. Spread a thin layer of red sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish.
2. Place about 1/3 cup of the meat filling into one end of each cabbage leaf and roll it up, tucking in the sides as you roll.
3. Place the cabbage rolls "seam side" down on top of the sauce in the baking dish.
4. Spoon the remaining sauce on top of the cabbage rolls.
5. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the cabbage rolls from drying out during baking.

Cooking the Cabbage Rolls

1. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the rice and meat are cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F).
2. Garnish with more parsley and optional red sauce before serving.

Tips for the Best Keto Cabbage Rolls

• Wrapping and Placement: Ensure the seams of the stuffed cabbage rolls are facing down in the baking dish to prevent the filling from falling out.
• Covering the Dish: Cover the dish with tin foil or a lid before placing it in the oven to retain moisture.
• Trimming Stems: If the cabbage stems are too long, trim them for easier rolling.

Variations

Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole

For an unstuffed version, use shredded cabbage instead of whole leaves. Mix all the ingredients and bake until the meat is fully cooked.

Slow Cooker Method

You can cook this recipe on low in a slow cooker for 8 hours.

Nightshade-Free Cabbage Rolls

For those with sensitivities or following specific diets like Paleo, AIP (Autoimmune Protocol), and Whole30, this version avoids tomatoes and peppers.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store the cooked dish covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: This dish can be frozen raw or cooked. If frozen raw, thaw it out completely before cooking for the full hour and 15 minutes.

Reheating Instructions:

• Air Fryer: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 10 minutes.
• Oven: Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
• Microwave: Reheat in the microwave until heated through.

Global Variations and Inspirations

Stuffed cabbage rolls have been a staple in many cuisines worldwide, with each culture adding its unique spin. In Eastern Europe, Polish gołąbki are filled with pork and rice and baked in tomato sauce. Ukrainians serve their version, holubtsi, with sour cream, while the Greeks enjoy cabbage rolls topped with a creamy lemon-egg sauce called lahanodolmades.

Ingredient Swaps

• Cabbage: Use green or white cabbage, Swiss chards, kappa cabbage, or Savoy cabbage.
• Meat: Swap ground chicken or turkey for ground pork or beef for a richer flavor.
• Spices: Customize with your favorite spices.

Nutritional Benefits

This dish combines protein and vegetables in one single pan. Cabbage, rich in vitamins C and K, is paired with lean ground chicken or turkey and fiber-packed cauliflower rice. The mix of balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried thyme and oregano brings a touch of earthiness to the filling. The recipe is both nutritious and flavorful: cabbage offers essential vitamins and fiber, lean ground meat provides quality protein, cauliflower rice serves as a low-calorie grain alternative, and bone broth delivers added health benefits alongside its rich taste.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Seasoning: Cook a small portion of the meat mixture before filling the cabbage leaves to ensure it is well-seasoned.
• Bone Broth: A good-quality bone broth makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
• Egg-Free Option: Omit the egg to make the recipe egg-free.

Serving Suggestions

Stuffed cabbage rolls are excellent with roasted smashed potatoes, French fries, or even rice (if not strictly following a low-carb diet).

Recipe for the Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Puree tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano in a blender; season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large deep skillet (or large pot) over medium heat, heat oil. Add pureed tomato sauce, bring to a simmer, then lower to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Variations of Keto Cabbage Rolls

Lebanese Keto Cabbage Rolls

Lebanese cabbage rolls are very similar, but the sauce is the main difference. Cook your keto cabbage rolls in 1 can of crushed tomatoes and water, ONLY. Serve with keto Greek yogurt and a side of cauliflower tabbouleh.

Preparing the Cabbage

1. Core the Cabbage: Carefully cut the cabbage and remove the stem of your cabbage with a sharp knife.
2. Remove Leaves: Once water is boiling, carefully drop the cabbage into the pot of water. Allow cabbage to boil for about 2 minutes, then, using 2 sets of tongs and a plate, remove the leaves one at a time.
3. Destem Cabbage: Use a sharp knife to remove some thickness from the stems of each cabbage leaf - You want the stem to be only as thick as the rest of the leaf.

Sauces

In a large bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and erythritol - this is your sauce. In a second large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped yellow onion, uncooked cauliflower rice, salt, pepper, and the sauce. Use your hands to incorporate everything evenly.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Rolling

Lay each cabbage leaf flat on a cutting board and place a dollop of meat in the middle. Fold the left and right sides over the filling, then roll from top to bottom. You don’t want to overstuff your cabbage rolls, as they’ll fall apart when you bake them.

Assembling

Cut the leftover center of cabbage into 8 pieces. Place these on the bottom of a Dutch oven. Place the rolled cabbage leaves seam side down over the cut pieces of cabbage. Cover with the rest of the sauce.

Baking

Place lid on the Dutch oven and bake in the preheated oven for 1 ½ -2 hrs, or until the meat inside a cabbage roll in the center of your Dutch oven is cooked all the way through. Serve warm with the tomato sauce spooned over each cabbage roll. Enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions

Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can make this delicious keto stuffed cabbage in less than an hour from start to finish!

1. Make the remaining 4 rolls and place on top of the cabbage leaf.
2. Press MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 7 minutes.

Freezing Instructions

1. Freeze them uncooked. When ready to serve, defrost in the fridge, transfer to a baking dish and cook the stuffed cabbage rolls in the oven as explained in the recipe.
2. Freeze them cooked. This alternative is best if you have leftovers and don’t want to waste them.

Variations

Change the main ingredients. Furthermore, you can make these easy stuffed cabbage rolls with regular rice instead of cauliflower rice.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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