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Healthy Cabbage Rolls (Easy & Delicious)

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Jan 31st 2025 Sho

This recipe for steamed cabbage rolls with pork filling is a light, healthy, and flavorful dish that combines tender cabbage leaves with a savory and aromatic pork filling. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or main course, these rolls are easy to prepare and packed with the goodness of fresh ingredients.

Healthy Cabbage Rolls (Easy & Delicious)

Table of Contents

What you'll need

  • Chinese Cabbage: Used as the wrapper for the filling, blanched to make it pliable.
  • Minced Pork: The main ingredient for the filling, providing a savory base.
  • Ginger: Adds a subtle warmth and aroma to the filling.
  • Spring Onion: Enhances the flavor with a fresh, mild onion taste.
  • Light Soy Sauce: Gives a savory umami flavor to season the filling.
  • Cornstarch: Helps bind the filling ingredients together for a smooth texture.
  • Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty and aromatic touch to the filling.
  • Salt: A pinch to balance and enhance all the flavors.
  • Carrot: Adds a hint of sweetness and texture to the filling.
    Pepper: Brings a warm, earthy spice to complement the aromatics.

This dish is usually ready to eat as is, and it tastes even better when freshly made. However, sometimes I like to pair it with my 3 Minute-Dumpling Sauce, which elevates the flavor to another level.

FAQs

  • Can you freeze cabbage rolls? Yes, cabbage rolls can be frozen either before or after cooking. Store them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, steam or reheat them until thoroughly warmed.
  • Are cabbage rolls healthy? Yes! Cabbage rolls are packed with lean protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. They are a great low-carb and nutrient-rich meal option, especially if steamed rather than fried.
  • Can I make cabbage rolls keto-friendly? Yes! Cabbage rolls are naturally low in carbs. For a keto-friendly version, replace cornstarch with almond flour or omit it altogether, and avoid adding any sugary sauces.

You don’t have to skewer the rolls if you prefer; you can wrap them into smaller pieces and serve them as a party appetizer. They are also a great option for kids!

Healthy Cabbage Rolls (Easy & Delicious)

Healthy Cabbage Rolls (Easy & Delicious)

Prep time

29 minutes

Cook time

10 minutes

Serves

3

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Ingredients

Calories: 557kcal Total Fat: 40g Protein: 42g Carbs: 8g Sodium: 672mg

Steps

  • Prepare Ingredients:

    1. Finely chop the carrot into small pieces.

      Finely chop the carrot into small pieces.

    2. Slice the spring onion thinly.

      Slice the spring onion thinly.

    3. Mince the ginger finely.

      Mince the ginger finely.

  • Marinate the Filling:

    1. Combine the minced pork with carrot, ginger, and sliced green onion.

      Combine the minced pork add carrot-cabbage rollsAdd minced ginger-cabbage rollsAdd chopped spring onions-cabbage rolls

    2. Season with cornstarch, a pinch of salt, pepper, light soy sauce and sesame oil. You can save some of minced ginger, and sliced green onion for serving in the last step

      Season with cornstarchSeason with salt-cabbage rollsSeason with pepper-cabbage rollsSeason with ligtht soy sauce-cabbage rollsSeason with sesame oil-cabbage rolls

    3. Mix thoroughly and let it marinate for a while to enhance the flavor.

      Combine the minced pork with carrot, ginger, and sliced green onion. Season with cornstarch, a pinch of salt, pepper, light soy sauce and sesame oil.

  • Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:

    1. Gently separate the cabbage leaves one by one and cut off the tough stem ends.

      Gently separate the cabbage leaves one by one and cut off the tough stem ends

    2. Soak the leaves in hot water for 3–5 minutes to soften them, making them easier to wrap without tearing.

      Soak the leaves in hot water for 3–5 minutes t

    3. After blanching, drain the water and immediately soak the leaves in cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again.

      soak the leaves in cold water Drain again

  • Wrap the Rolls:

    1. Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a surface. Place about one spoonful of the pork filling on the leaf.

      Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a surface. Place about one spoonful of the pork filling on the leaf

    2. Roll the cabbage leaf from the stem upwards, folding the sides in to seal the filling as you roll.

      Roll the Chinese cabbage leaf from the stem upwardsRoll another cabbage leaf

    3. Continue rolling until the end of the leaf. You can skewer them together or leave them as individual rolls. Repeat until all the filling is used.

      You can skewer them togetherRepeat until all the filling is used.

  • Steam the Rolls:

    1. Steam the rolls for 8–10 minutes or until the pork is fully cooked. You can open the lid and check during steaming.

      Steam the rolls for 8–10 minutes until the pork is fully cooked

    2. Once done, there will be some juice released from the rolls. You can discard it or use it as a drizzle when serving.

      You can discard it or use it as a drizzle when serving.

  • Serve:

    1. These cabbage rolls are delicious on their own, without needing additional sauce. However, for a tangy kick, pair them with a quick 3-minute dipping sauce.

      pair them with a quick 3-minute dipping sauce.

Nutritional info

% of daily value
protein: 42g
84%
fat: 40g
61%
carbs: 8g
3%
fiber: 2g
8%
saturatedFat: 10g
49%
sugar: 2g
sodium: 672mg
28%
cholesterol: 126mg
42%

Calorie Breakdown

Protein

168 cal

Fat

358 cal

Carbs

31 cal

Tips

You can absolutely use regular cabbage as a substitute for Chinese cabbage in this recipe! However, keep in mind that Chinese cabbage is naturally sweeter and more tender, while regular cabbage tends to have a firmer texture and a more robust flavor. This difference won’t significantly affect the dish but may slightly alter the texture of the rolls.

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Tagged as:
Appetizer Comfort Food Budget-friendly Fusion Healthy Festive Kid-friendly Low Carb Street Food Quick & Easy Pork Steamed Snack