Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head of Green Cabbage or Savoy Cabbage
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
- 1.5 cups Cauliflower Rice (fresh or frozen)
- 1 small Onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Egg (to bind the filling)
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 2 cups Sugar-Free Tomato Sauce or Bone Broth (for gut health)
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Remove the core from the cabbage head using a sharp knife. Carefully place the whole head into the boiling water for about 3-5 minutes until the outer leaves become translucent and pliable. Use tongs to peel off the softened leaves one by one and set them aside on a paper towel to drain. Shave down the thick center vein of each leaf with a knife so they roll easily.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cauliflower rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until the spices and cauliflower are evenly distributed throughout the protein. The cauliflower rice acts as a “filler” that absorbs the meat juices, mimicking the texture of traditional rice perfectly.
- Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inward and roll it up tightly toward the top, just like a small burrito or a dumpling. Repeat this process until all the filling is used, placing each roll seam-side down in a large baking dish or heavy-bottomed skillet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar-free tomato sauce (or bone broth) and apple cider vinegar. Pour the liquid evenly over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish with foil or a lid. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes. The cabbage should be fork-tender and the meat cooked through. The juices will mingle to create a rich, gut-healing sauce.
- Carefully lift the rolls out of the dish and place them on a serving platter. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream if desired. Serve warm as a complete, one-pan meal.
- Cook Time: 70 minutes