Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Name: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls With Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients: 1 large head green cabbage; 2 lbs ground beef; 1 head cauliflower, riced; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tsp celery salt; 1 tsp dried parsley; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 (28 oz) cans tomato puree; fresh parsley, for garnish

Stuffed cabbage rolls feature tender blanched cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of ground beef, cauliflower rice, and aromatics, then braised in rich tomato sauce. This low-carb take on a classic Eastern European dish delivers comfort-food flavor without the traditional rice filler.

🌍Eastern European 🏷️Stuffed cabbage 🏷️Cabbage rolls 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Cauliflower rice Keto

🏷️

🏷️Low-carb

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TikTok

Total

6h 40m

Servings

8

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 large head green cabbage
2 lbs ground beef
1 head cauliflower, riced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp red pepper flakes
black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
2 (28 oz) cans tomato puree
fresh parsley, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Freeze a whole head of cabbage, then thaw it completely in a bowl of water. This will make the leaves pliable and easy to separate.
2
Once thawed, remove the core from the cabbage and gently peel off the leaves. Trim the thick, tough stem from the bottom of each leaf.
3
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, riced cauliflower, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
4
Season the meat mixture with Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
5
Using your hands, mix all the filling ingredients together until well combined.
6
Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place a portion of the filling in the center. Fold in the sides and roll it up tightly. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
7
Pour olive oil into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add a layer of any leftover or torn cabbage leaves. Pour one can of tomato puree over the leaves.
8
Carefully arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls in the slow cooker, placing them seam-side down if possible.
9
Pour the second can of tomato puree over the cabbage rolls. Top with any remaining cabbage leaves.
10
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
11
Serve the cabbage rolls hot, spooning extra sauce from the slow cooker over the top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Blanch the entire cabbage head in boiling water rather than individual leaves for easier separation and even softening.
Mix the filling thoroughly and season generously—the beef-cauliflower ratio needs bold seasoning to compensate for the mild cabbage wrapper.
Arrange rolls seam-side down in the pot to prevent unraveling during the long cook time.
Use a tomato sauce with balanced acidity; too much can curdle the beef, while too little leaves rolls bland.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground lamb or ground pork (maintains richness and texture)
Cauliflower rice → white rice or finely diced mushrooms (mushrooms add umami and moisture)
Italian seasoning → dried oregano + dried thyme + dried basil (1/2 tsp each)
Yellow onion → white onion or shallot (milder flavor if preferred)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate covered up to 4 days; freeze in airtight container up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave until warmed through.

Equipment

slow cooker (optional; stovetop works equally well) · large pot with lid

Common Questions

Do I need to blanch the cabbage leaves before rolling?

Yes. Blanch the whole cabbage head in boiling water for 5–8 minutes to soften the leaves, making them pliable enough to wrap without tearing.

Can I use regular rice instead of cauliflower rice?

Yes. Substitute equal parts white or brown rice for the cauliflower rice, though cooking time may increase slightly as rice takes longer to soften.

How long do these keep in the refrigerator?

Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave individual portions until warmed through.

Can I freeze stuffed cabbage rolls?

Yes. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months before or after cooking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

What's the best way to know when they're done cooking?

The cabbage leaves should be very tender and the filling heated through, typically 45–60 minutes on low in a slow cooker or 1–1.5 hours in a covered pot on the stovetop.