Gluten-Free Cabbage Rolls
My family and I love these bundles of seasoned beef and rice wrapped in translucent cabbage, simmered with tomato until the flavors blend into a favorite gluten-free main dish for any time of year. Some earlier versions that I tried had more seasoning than worked for my family, but since I toned those down, we have enjoyed these immensely.
Gluten-Free Cabbage Rolls
Before I get to the recipe, though, I want to mention that May is National Celiac Awareness Month, and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is promoting awareness with KISS – Keep It Simple and Safe. Their guest bloggers are offering 4 weeks of advice from baking with gluten-free mixes to starting your own gluten-sensitive dining group. Guest blogs will be posted on Celiac Central: Bits & Bites Monday-Friday during the month, with a different focus each day of the week. Stop by there for some tips from some of your favorite bloggers.
Keeping my gluten-free diet simple and safe is not always easy, but a recipe like these Cabbage Rolls is one way to share a crowd-pleasing dish with everyone, gluten-free or not.
Tonight, although it’s not Hungarian (isn’t that where Cabbage Rolls are from?)… I’m making Cheese Enchiladas (Mexican, I know) with rice on the side for my husband. My husband asked for the same kind of hamburger and rice mix as are in the Cabbage Rolls, so you know he likes it.
I hope you enjoy them, too!
Ingredients:
- 6 Large Cabbage Leaves
- 1/2 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
- 1 Clove Garlic, minced
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, Lea & Perrins
- 1 Cup Cooked Rice
- 2 Teaspoons Honey, optional
- 16 Ounces Diced Tomato, with juice — or Tomato Sauce
- 1 Cup Beef Stock or Broth, or more as needed to cover
- Optional Seasonings to Add (as Always, Make Sure These Are Gluten-free):
- 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder, or,
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
Directions:
Wash the cabbage leaves. Steam in covered saucepot or in microwave until just tender, 8-10 minutes. You want them to be bendable.
Brown the ground meat in a medium skillet. As soon as there’s no pink remaining, stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic.
Cook until the onion is becoming transparent, then add the salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
Stir in the cooked rice and cover; simmer on low for a few minutes.
Drain the cabbage leaves.
On a plate or a salad bowl, spread out one leaf and sprinkle with salt.
Spoon 1/6th of the filling mixture onto the leaf near the thickest part of the stem.
Roll the edge of the cabbage leaf over the filling.
Fold each of the sides over so you can roll the filled part towards the opposite end of the leaf, making as neat a little package as possible. The cabbage doesn’t always fully cooperate, but do the best you can.
Lay the cabbage roll seam-side down in a medium saucepot with a lid.
Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling. You can fasten them with string or toothpicks if you want, but they won’t be going anywhere far, so that may not be necessary.
Stir together the honey, diced tomato (or sauce) and beef stock. Pour it over the cabbage rolls to just barely cover them. You can add more stock or water as needed.
Simmer, covered, for 45-60 minutes, or longer.
Makes 6 cabbage rolls, or about 3 average servings. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
This gluten-free recipe is designed for those with gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or celiac disease, but I’ve found that people who have no food allergies like it, too. It is wheat-free, barley-free and rye-free. Also, it is casein-free, dairy-free, egg-free, lactose-free, nut-free and refined sugar-free.
Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker’s Gluten-Free Wednesdays is featuring eggs for the month of May. I’ll link these Cabbage Rolls there even though they’re egg-free and try to enter an egg recipe later this month.
Also linked to:
Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free’s Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
Miz Helen’s Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday
For more gluten-free ground beef recipes:
Meatloaf with Mushroom Sauce – Gluten-Free
Gluten-Free Chili with Tomatoes
Lasagne with Spinach, Gluten-Free
~
I haven’t made cabbage rolls in a long time but this recipe really makes me hungry for some!
Hi Pat,
I just love those little bundles of seasoned beef and rice too, as a matter of fact they are some of my favorites. Your recipe looks awesome, I will have to give it a try. Hope you have a Very Special Week End and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
[...] Gluten-Free Cabbage Rolls [...]
hey there . . Im not sure if you’re aware, but there is gluten in worcestershire sauce. It’s not a huge amount, but for people who don’t know it might be a an issue to those who are extra sensitive. Other than that great recipe!!
Hi Lauren — You’re right that many Worcestershire sauces do have gluten in them. That’s why I specifically mention Lea & Perrins since according to their website that brand does NOT have gluten. In fact, they say this: “Lea & Perrins® Worcestershire Sauce is cholesterol free, fat free, preservative free, gluten free and has 80% less sodium than soy sauce.” Thanks for asking about this and I’m glad you like the recipe.
[...] Cabbage Rolls [...]
1/8 t. cinnamon added to this recipe gives added flavor.
I did it! Let me tell you it was very good!
An excellent recipe!
Thank you.
[...] Gluten-Free Cabbage Rolls [...]
[...] our all-time most popular recipes. Its stats are hanging in there… Right up with the “Gluten-Free Cabbage Rolls” and “Are Marshmallows Gluten Free?” [...]