Vegan Cabbage rolls! My vegetarian take on traditional stuffed cabbage recipe made vegan! with impossible meat. Taste just like moms! Perfect easy weeknight comfort food for the whole family. No one will believe it’s meatless!
Ok it’s time for vegan stuffed cabbage rolls!! -YES! -I have been making cabbage rolls for 30+ years. These vegetarian cabbage rolls were adapted from my old school recipe (inspired from My Mother in law❤️)
An absolute breeze to make!! and the wonderful thing -you can freeze left overs for quick and easy meal prep ready in a Jiffy any night of the week!
This recipe is based on the classic Hungarian, ukranian and polish cabbage rolls with tomato sauce (Holubtsi, Golumpki or golabki)- popular in central & eastern European countries. All the recipes vary a bit in regions with ingredients and names, some also contain vegetables and grains
... So if you're looking for vegan cabbage recipes stop right here!! There are no lentils, chickpeas, mushrooms, bulgar needed..
This stuffed vegan cabbage roll recipe is a delicious filling of juicy meatless ground (impossible meat), rice, fried onions, garlic and spices stuffed and rolled in cabbage leaves and baked to perfection in a super flavourful tomato vegetable broth ( tomato sauce is amazing!)
So tasty and simple to make lazy day recipe
Any one who tries these will freak out they're so GOOD!! Yes meat eaters love them too!
For these homemade cabbage rolls I find the best option for vegan ground beef is impossible burger, you can’t even tell the difference! Haven't tested with beyond meat.
I've already made two impossible recipes: vegan meatballs and meatloaf, both totally delicious with this wonderful plant based product! That tastes so real!
-ok read on for ingredient list and how to make stuffed meatless cabbage rolls!…
And don’t worry you won’t miss the can of tomato soup either, vinegar and sugar takes care of that!
Jump to:
Ingredients needed:
- green cabbage: I always use green not savoy
- Impossible meat: perfect sub for real hamburger! Have not tested with beyond meat
- Cooked rice: white or brown rice I much prefer white basmati for this
- onions
- fresh garlic
- Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce
- Brown sugar and red wine vinegar: adds perfect sweet and tart flavour to tomato sauce without the need for can of tomato soup!
- Spices: ground fennel, granulated garlic and onion powder, salt snd pepper
How to make vegan cabbage rolls:
- For tomato sauce: mix sauce ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.
- For ‘Meat’ filling: Fry onions in a skillet over medium heat with the oil and a pinch of salt and pepper for 5-7 minutes until browning and softening. Stir in garlic and cook for a minute. Remove to a plate too cool. In a medium bowl add vegan ground beef, cold cooked rice, onion and garlic mixture, fennel and salt. Mix well. I usually mix by hand. Set aside
- Core and Cook cabbage: with a sharp knife cut around the stem of cabbage about 1 and ½ to 2 inches out from the stem and 3 inches or so down. Should resemble a cone when pulled out.
- Fill a large stock pot (12-16 qt) half way with water. Set to boil. When boiling add cabbage. After it’s been boiling for 3 minutes or so start pulling off leaves with tongs, 2 at a time. Once leaves are removed let boil for a couple of minutes then remove to a plate. Repeat process until you have 16-18 leaves.
- To roll assemble and bake: Preheat oven to 325° Spread 1 cup of sauce in casserole dish. Set it close by.
- Lay each cabbage leaf on cutting board. Use a small knife to cut a V-shaped notch to remove the thick part of the cabbage rib.
- Place ¼ cup of filling in centre of leaf, shape the mixture into a log. Roll up burrito style (step by step photos in above post)
- Place seam side down in casserole dish as you go. Repeat with remaining filling and cabbage leaves. I like the rolls to fit quite snuggly in the dish.
- Cover with remaining tomato sauce. Give dish a little shake to disperse sauce. Cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Remove from oven. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy! Full recipe ingredients and instructions in recipe card below.
What to serve with cabbage rolls?
- green peas
- carrots
- pierogies and sauerkraut
- Vegan Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot)
- dollop of vegan sour cream or yogurt
- Roasted Vegetables
- No-Knead Focaccia or artisan bread warm and buttered to sop up the tomato sauce -mmm
- Green salad
- Vegan Caesar Salad
Can you freeze cabbage rolls?
- Portion in containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure they are completely cooked and cooled overnight in fridge before freezing. To reheat from frozen: defrost overnight in fridge and heat in microwave or oven.
Pro tips:
- If you’re worried the filling isn’t seasoned correctly. Fry up a little patty to taste test and adjust spices if needed.
- Cut the thick part of the cabbage leaves out. That way cabbage rolls cook evenly with no undercooked cabbage.
- Place seam side down in baking dish and nestle close together so they stay snug when baking.
- Wrap dish tightly with foil so steam stays in.
You'll love this stuffed cabbage recipe, its:
- Vegan
- Gluten free
- super tasty
- simple to prepare
- budget friendly
- Full of protein
- Healthy
- Flavour packed
- Great family meal
- Kid friendly
- Meat eater approved!
Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based & Vegan Recipes❤️
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- Best Vegan Bolognese Sauce Ever!
- Best Vegan Alfredo Sauce
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- Hearty Vegetable Stew (Slow Cooker Option)
- Ultimate Vegan Chili Recipe
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- Best Vegan Meatloaf Recipe!
Absolute Best Vegan Cabbage Rolls!
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Vegan Cabbage Rolls! My vegetarian take on traditional stuffed cabbage recipe made vegan! with impossible meat. Taste just like moms! Perfect easy weeknight comfort food for the whole family. No one will believe it’s meatless!
Ingredients
For sauce:
- 1 (796 ml/28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (680 ml/24 oz) can tomato sauce (not tomato paste)
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 and ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic (powder)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For cabbage rolls:
- 2 packages (340 g/12 oz each) impossible burger ground beef
- 1 and ½ cups rice, cooked and cooled (white or brown rice)
- 1 medium- large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil, I use grapeseed or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground fennel
- pinch of black pepper
- 1 large green cabbage
Instructions
Equipment needed: 9x13 casserole dish or 10x15 must be at least 3 inches or more deep.
- For tomato sauce: mix sauce ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.
- For ‘Meat’ filling: Fry onions in a skillet over medium heat with the oil and a pinch of salt and pepper for 5-7 minutes until browning and softening. Stir in garlic and cook for a minute. Remove to a plate too cool. In a medium bowl add vegan ground beef, cold cooked rice, onion and garlic mixture, fennel and 1 teaspoon salt and another pinch of black pepper. Mix well. I usually mix by hand. Set aside
- Core and Cook cabbage: with a sharp knife cut around the stem of cabbage about 1 and ½ to 2 inches out from the stem and 3 inches or so down. Should resemble a cone when pulled out.
- Fill a large stock pot half way with water. Set to boil. When boiling add cabbage. After it’s been boiling for 3 minutes or so start pulling off leaves with tongs, 2 at a time. Once leaves are removed let boil for a couple of minutes then remove to a plate. Repeat process until you have 16-18 leaves.
- To roll, assemble and bake: Preheat oven to 325° Spread 1 cup of sauce in casserole dish. Set it close by.
- Lay each cabbage leaf on cutting board. Use a small knife to cut a V-shaped notch to remove the thick part of the cabbage rib.
- Place ¼ cup of filling in centre of leaf, shape the mixture into a log. Roll up burrito style (step by step photos in above post)
- Place seam side down in casserole dish as you go. Repeat with remaining filling and cabbage leaves. I like the rolls to fit quite snuggly in the dish.
- Cover with remaining tomato sauce. Give dish a little shake to disperse sauce. Cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Remove from oven let sit for 10 minutes or so before serving. Enjoy!
For FAQ, Tips, serving suggestions and step by step photos see above post🔼
Notes
- To store and freeze: will keep in fridge for up to 4 days. Portion in containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure they are completely cooked and cooled overnight in fridge before freezing. To reheat from frozen: defrost overnight in fridge and heat in microwave or oven.
- have not tested cabbage rolls with beyond beef!
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Cook Time: 150 Minutes
- Category: Mains,
- Method: Bake/Oven
- Cuisine: European, American, Canadian
Kimberly Reed
Oh my gosh, these are delicious! I am not a fan of fennel, but since the recipe called for it, I tried it again. PERFECTION! it did take me forever, I'm not that proficient in the kitchen, but so worth it! next time (and there will def be a next time), I may boil the cabbage ahead of time and refrigerate to put it all together next day. YUM YUM YUMMY!!!!!
Verna
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe! thank you so much for your fabulous review Kimberly, it is so appreciated!!! 🙂
Jenni
I made this for dinner tonight, and it was a big hit with my husband. He hates my cooking, so this is a big win and will go on the list of "husband-approved" recipes I can make. 😀
Thank you for this.
Verna
I'm so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback Jenni 🙂
Donna
Super duper delicious recipe. Really won over my kids.
Verna
So nice to hear! Thank you
Cindy
Is there anything I could replace the red wine vinegar with?
Verna
Hi Cindy, I find red wine vinegar results in the nicest flavour, you could use a different vinegar but it won't be quite the same. Hope that helps!
Serena
Beyond beef worked great in this! Rave reviews from all and very easy to follow for my first time making cabbage rolls!
Verna
Yay!! Glad to hear it and thanks for the awesome review Serena!!
Wayne
I would love to use your recipes if you could provide a substitute for when you use a prepackaged vegan substitute like Impossible Meat. I understand why you use it but with a small substitution your recipe could provide a WFPB alternative recipe
Verna
You bet Wayne! I will be working on a veggie stuffed cabbage roll recipe (and more) in the future. Happy holidays to you!
Jeannie D
I am excited to make these tonight! I only have 1 pkg of Impossible burger so I am subbing in portobello mushrooms for the second pound of Imp. Burger. Fingers crossed but I have had great success subbing the mushrooms for the meat in Shepherd's Pie.
Finger's crossed!
Verna
Love this! enjoy 🙂
Renee Riquet Carr
OH MY GOODNESS
I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOUR WESITE . I HAVE TRIED SO MANY OF YOUR RECIPIES AND CANT DECIDE WHICH WE ALL LIKE BEST. I WOULD LOVE SOME INSTANTPOT DINNERS .PLEASE
Verna
Awesome!! I do have an instant pot recipe category, but ok I will definitely work on adding more to my site in the future 🙂 thrilled you're enjoying the recipes Renee!! Thank you!
Renita
Were these ever good! Thank you my family was amazed
Verna
Glad you all enjoyed them!
Debbie Friedman
Been making vegetarian Halupki for years using Gardein ground beef. Just started with Impossible, and I agree it's the BEST! These are soooo good! I have also tried Beyond Beef Crumble and I wold say don't bother. I had to throw it out. It has an off 'sausage' flavor and the crumble is too big for this recipe. Looking forward to more recipes!
Verna
So glad you enjoyed them Debbie. Thank you so much for your feedback, very helpful!
Sally
Tasted like my moms recipe we all loved it! Satisfied all the meat eaters in my family
Verna
Awesome! thanks for the feedback!
Thea
Made these yesterday as a trial for our Christmas Eve meal which will be all vegan this year. They were fabulous! Taste just like my Grandma's cabbage rolls. Can't wait to share these with my family. I think all the meat eaters will be very impressed. Thank you so much
Verna
You are so welcome. I'm thrilled you liked them. Thank you for your kind words, really appreciate the feedback.
María
Amazing!! So ready to try them
Since I cooked the impossible meat with veggies I assume I don’t need to bake for so long right?
Verna
Hi Maria you still need to cook for same amount of time so the cabbage is tender. The 'meat' doesn't need to be cooked first. It will cook wrapped in the cabbage. Enjoy!
Umi
This was amazing! It took me a while, since I kinda did one thing at a time, but it was SO worth it. I used a different kind of veggie meat*, white wine vinegar (I didn't have red wine vinegar in my pantry), added zucchini to the mushrooms, and added lentils and a bay leaf to the rice. I also didn't have any canned tomatoes so I peeled fresh ones, chopped them into 1-2in pieces, then cooked them for about 10 minutes with some garlic, then added the tomato paste and sugar and it worked great! It's one of the best things I've ever made!! Thank you so much for the detailed recipe. I can't wait to make this again!
*With this particular kind of meat, the smell and taste is normally very strong, so I cooked it before adding it to the mix. This gave it an even deeper flavor!
Verna
I am thrilled you enjoyed it Umi! Thanks for sharing your substitutions!
Glady
This recipe is exactly what I was looking for. Taste exactly like my grandma's. Delicious. Thank you for sharing
Verna
thrilled you enjoyed them!
Rena S
can't wait to make these cabbage rolls for st paddy's day! thanks for sharing Verna.
Verna
Enjoy!!
Rita
These are super tasty and will be great for our Easter dinner !
Verna
Thank you so much!