Gingery Cabbage Rolls With Pork and Rice Recipe (2024)

By Sue Li

Gingery Cabbage Rolls With Pork and Rice Recipe (1)

Total Time
1¼ hours
Rating
5(1,488)
Notes
Read community notes

These fork-tender cabbage rolls, filled with savory pork, rice and ginger, are the ultimate comfort food — perfect to serve as a cozy meal on a cold night. When assembling the rolls, you can simply fold the cabbage leaf onto itself as you would fold a burrito — and don’t worry if the cabbage leaves tear. If there are any leftovers, reheat them with more chicken broth. They are good the day they are made, but even better the next day.

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Ingredients

Yield:12 cabbage rolls (4 to 6 servings)

  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1medium head savoy cabbage
  • pounds ground pork
  • cup uncooked short-grain white rice
  • 1large egg, lightly beaten
  • 6scallions, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 2tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger (from a 2-inch piece)
  • 2tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2cups chicken broth
  • Sesame oil, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

420 calories; 28 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 16 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 24 grams protein; 639 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Gingery Cabbage Rolls With Pork and Rice Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt.

  2. Step

    2

    Prepare the cabbage: Remove about 12 large outer leaves, reserving the rest of the cabbage for another use. Once the water boils, lower the heat to medium so that the water reaches a gentle boil. Add the cabbage leaves, about 4 at a time, and cook until tender and flexible but leaves remain intact and maintain their crunch, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a towel-lined plate and set aside to cool slightly while you make the filling. Repeat with remaining cabbage leaves.

  3. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine pork, rice, egg, scallions, ginger and soy sauce with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

  4. Step

    4

    Assemble the cabbage rolls: Working with one cooked cabbage leaf at a time, place it on a cutting board or other flat surface with its stem end at the bottom. Spoon a heaping ¼ cup of the pork mixture in the center and mold the mixture into a rough 2- to 3-inch log. Pull the stem end over the meat mixture, and fold the right and left sides of the leaf over and roll tightly to the very top. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large Dutch oven or ovenproof, straight-sided saucepan. Repeat with the remaining cabbage and pork filling.

  5. Step

    5

    Pour the chicken broth over the cabbage rolls and bring to a boil over medium. Cover the pan, transfer to the oven, and bake until cabbage rolls are fork tender and the meat mixture is cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with ladles of broth over the rolls and a drizzle of sesame oil.

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1,488

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Tracy

Made these with a few changes. We eliminated the kosher salt and added 1 tsp. of fish sauce. Doubled the ginger. We scattered 12 peeled garlic cloves around the rolls before adding the broth. We drizzled the cooked rolls with sesame oil and chili oil. They are very tasty, and we are looking forward to the leftovers.

reddog_momma

We make this dish every other week it seems. It's that good. We add roughly 4-6 minced garlic cloves to this and it makes the dish. Additionally, we've used ground turkey, beef, pork, chicken and bison. All are delish! I've also made it without rice and the results were the same as with. Lastly, we've also used Savoy, Napa, and the normal green cabbage, and again, all work great! Savoy is our favorite however.

jenn

I used ground chicken and added cilantro. It was great. Tasted like a steamed dumpling so I made a quick dumpling sauce of soy, vinegar, and chili. It was perfect!

Elene

These are so delicious - a family favorite, even with my 3-year-old. They taste just like pork dumplings and are super easy to make. My one change from the recipe is that I chop up any remaining cabbage leaves that are too small to use for wraps and add them to the filling for a little more veggie presence (and so we don’t waste any cabbage). Amazing every time.

Cara T.

These are great! One caveat: I love salt as much as the next guy, but I’m going to reduce the salt level next time. 1-1 1/2 tsp instead of two. Combined with the soy sauce, that should be the right amount of seasoning.

K

Make your life easier and skip the blanching by pulling the cabbage leaves apart and then freezing them overnight. Let them thaw and then roll. Mine were done in 30 minutes with a 10-minute rest to get any sides (ramen noodles) or garnishes ready.

Nan

I love this ( and other ) stuffed cabbage recipes... but I have an easier way to soften the leaves. Put the entire head of Savoy cabbage in a steamer and steam it until it's flexible. Each leaf comes off without breaking and is easily folded and rolled.

Jude

So this is basically an pork Asian variation of Gołąbki .. or gowumpky as my kids called it but i used cheap chop meat ...

Wannabe Gourmet

This is a phenomenal recipe. I heeded the advice above and reduced salt to 1 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal, added 1tsp Red Boat fish sauce, and substituted Coconut Secret coconut aminos for soy sauce 1:1. Everybody in my home cleaned their plates and was excited for the leftovers. The other thing I did was double the recipe and froze a dozen assembled, but uncooked for a later easy weeknight meal. I will try and report back on how that comes out.

Heather B

I wanted to use a short grain brown rice for this, so I parboiled it (using the leftover cabbage water) for 15 minutes before mixing onto the pork. Worked perfectly!

Alan C Brownmd

Repeat note. I made it again and this could be my favorite NY Times recipe. Don’t change anything! It is so satisfying to roll up the little logs which stay together beautifully. This is an easy recipe despite what one thinks when faced with stuffing cabbage. Thank you Sue Li.

dr deb

I have made my own version of these for years. I don’t use the rice when my son is eating low carb. And I pan fry them before adding the stock, so the cabbage gets browned and crispy, like a fried dumpling. We call them “notstickers.”

Judy Goodman

I keep a cabbage in the freezer at all times. When I want to make stuffed cabbage, I defrost it and cut out the core. The leaves just fall off, flexible and ready to stuff.

Megan K.

Added loads more ginger, a couple garlic cloves, chili flakes, and some Maggi. I also chopped the leftover cabbage head and added it to the pork mixture. Really, really good.

amy

These were delicious! I followed some of the comments and added a tsp of fish sauce in place of some of the soy. I also nudged smashed garlic cloves between the cabbage rolls before adding the garlic and it perfumed everything beautifully. I baked mine in a casserole dish, and didn’t bring it to a boil before hand, but baked it covered with foil for around an hour and it was delicious. Drizzled with sesame oil at the end and topped with Chili Garlic Sauce. Delicious.

David

I blanche the cabbage head whole and peel the leaves off one by one- I feel I get better untorn leaves that way. Three and then dunk again and peel off. Makes it so much easier.

Kerrie

Love this recipe. Have made it many times. If I can’t find savoy cabbage at the grocery it is great with regular green cabbage. I have also made it with ground beef instead of ground pork just because that is what I had on hand. Equally delicious. I have also minced some of the left over cabbage and added it to the filling.

msl

I didn’t know I would love these so much! Tender and delicious. Subs: used 1 tablespoon fish sauce, less soy sauce, and no salt. Sliced leftover cabbage very thinly and salted & squeezed out water. Only used 1 pound pork. Still had leftover mixture that is now in the freezer. Used Arborio rice (amazing). Used leftover blanching liquid bouillon for broth; could add miso even more broth because it’s delicious.

Win Win

Used Napa cabbage and it worked well

malahat

I followed the recipe as written. The result was underseasoned and underwhelming. If I were to make it again, I’d comb the comments for add-ins that add flavor and color.

jwmushman

This is really delicious- my only comment is that my rice wasn’t completely cooked by the end of the cooking time - I kind of enjoyed the slight crunch but I would have rather it been fully cooked. I ended up using Whole Foods 365 brand sushi rice. It’s the only short grain rice I could find.

Suzanne

Are you supposed to put uncooked rice in the filling?!

Russ

This is one of the best things I have made in a long time for a weeknight dish. It’s a new go-to. I did double the ginger and serve with chili crisp and a dumpling vinegar sauce on the side. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Sunny

Overall, it was tasty but it was just too bland to our liking. I may need to mix with jalapeño peppers if I make this again.

use an 8” x 8” pan

So so, I thought Napa cabbage was too thin for this. Decided Chinese flavor

Paul A

These are easy and delicious! I recommend only cooking the cabbage leaves for 1 minute to keep the crunch but allow for folding. 2 minutes is too long.

lucy

Can these be made and cooked in a steamer? Oven conked out, but these sound delicious!

Kathy Stanford, Zapopan, Mexico

I made this for dinner with friends yesterday. Everyone loved it! I had found a beautiful Savoy Cabbage in store here last week and that’s what I used. I added about 1/2 a cup of leftover chopped cabbage and about 2 T. of homemade fermented tofu. I had 10 extra oz. of pork and added that too, so I got 14 cabbage rolls. This recipe is definitely a keeper! So good!

Wendy S

I made these today absolutely delicious I followed with the 12 cloves of garlic around the rolls . I also added more chicken stock 28 oz and cooked in the oven @ 350 for 2 1/2 hrs. Served with drizzled sesame oil and oil with chili flakes . Also used normal cabbage they were excellent!

Gary

Tried this for first time tonight. Napa cabbage. Ground pork. Like others, I skipped the rice but added about 1 cup plus of chopped cabbage to the pork mixture. Heavy handed on the ginger (I cheated by using refrigerated "paste" tubes). Otherwise followed pretty close to original. This was really good. We are 'calorie' conscious. Skipping rice lowers significantly but obviously can't get away from the pork fat content. But not too bad. Definite keeper!

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Gingery Cabbage Rolls With Pork and Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cabbage tough on my cabbage rolls? ›

If your cooked cabbage is tough, it's likely because the cabbage is not cooked through yet. Continue to cook the rolls until they're tender. It's also important to make sure you let the rolls rest after they're finished baking.

Why do you freeze cabbage before making cabbage rolls? ›

Freezing breaks down the structure of the leaves, making them pliable and unlikely to crack or break when you pull them from the head or roll them for stuffing.

What do you serve with cabbage rolls? ›

  • Fresh salad with a zingy lime vinaigrette. ...
  • Bread- Soft dinner rolls go well with cabbage rolls. ...
  • Mashed potato and sauerkraut. ...
  • Gravy.
  • Roasted carrots or other sautéed veges also go well with cabbage rolls.
  • You can also serve it with flavored rice dishes.
Jun 9, 2016

What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

Why do you soak shredded cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

Is it better to freeze or boil cabbage for cabbage rolls? ›

Rather than boil the vegetable, do the exact opposite and try freezing an entire head of cabbage instead. Despite the fact that it might take a bit of extra time, this method proves to be safer and significantly less stinky — after all, no one wants their house to smell like gas.

What happens if you don't blanch cabbage before freezing? ›

Once it's washed and cut up, cabbage can be frozen, but for longer-term storage, it's best to blanch it first. Blanched cabbage can be frozen for up to nine months, while unblanched cabbage will only keep for one to two months.

Is it better to freeze cabbage rolls cooked or uncooked? ›

Can you freeze Make-Ahead Cabbage Rolls? Cover and freeze unbaked cabbage rolls. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.

What is cabbage roll sauce made of? ›

Mix tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce together in a small bowl until combined. Pour over cabbage rolls.

Can you use the outer leaves of cabbage for cabbage rolls? ›

So at first, eating the outer leaves didn't sound too appetizing. But that's the thing about growing your own food; you put so much effort into your plants so it just kills you to let anything go to waste. So I decided to make cabbage rolls with the outer leaves. My goodness they were fabulous.

How many days are cabbage rolls good for? ›

To make ahead: Cool cabbage rolls and refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze in airtight container for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen.

Can dogs eat cabbage? ›

All varieties of cabbage are not only tasty to your dog, they are also very healthy. Cabbage helps your dog's digestive system and is good for their skin. It can cause flatulence (gas) in dogs, so remember to feed cabbage in small amounts, and introduce it into their diet slowly.

How do you cut gas out of cabbage? ›

To reduce the likelihood of experiencing gas after eating cabbage, consider cooking it thoroughly. This can help break down the fibers and make it easier to digest. Additionally, try adding caraway seeds or fennel seeds to your cabbage dishes, as these spices are known to help reduce gas.

Why is my stuffed cabbage meat tough? ›

If your cabbage rolls are too tough, it means that you have not cooked them long enough. My method to start with, letting the cabbage sit overnight, starts to get the cabbage nice and soft.

What happens if you overcook cabbage? ›

Unappetizing texture and flavor: Overcooking can cause cabbage to become mushy, slimy, and unappetizing. It can also cause the cabbage to lose its natural sweetness and become bitter.

How long does it take for cabbage to soften? ›

How to boil cabbage. Put the cabbage leaves or shredded cabbage in a large pan and cover halfway with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 3-5 mins or until tender.

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