High Protein Sarmale (Romanian Cabbage Rolls)

Elevate your meal prep with these High Protein Sarmale (Romanian Cabbage Rolls), a modern take on a beloved Eastern European classic. Packed with lean ground turkey and nutrient-rich quinoa, these cabbage rolls deliver a healthy twist on traditional comfort food without sacrificing flavor. Aromatic spices like smoked paprika and thyme infuse the filling, while a tangy tomato sauce blanket keeps everything tender and delicious. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this recipe is high in protein, naturally gluten-free, and simmered to perfection for maximum flavor. Serve these hearty cabbage rolls piping hot for a satisfying, wholesome dish that’s sure to become a favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:160 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 head large cabbage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 500 grams lean ground turkey
• 150 grams cooked quinoa
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 500 milliliters tomato sauce
• 250 milliliters water
• 2 bay leaves

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully peel away the outer leaves of the cabbage head. Submerge the cabbage in boiling water for a few minutes to soften the leaves. Remove from water, set aside to cool, and repeat until all large leaves are separated and softened.

Step 2

Finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked quinoa, sautéed onion and garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.

Step 4

Place a tablespoon of the turkey-quinoa filling onto the center of a cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly to enclose.

Step 5

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cover the bottom with a layer of smaller or torn cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Arrange the rolls, seam side down, in layers on top of the leaves.

Step 6

Mix the tomato sauce with water, then pour it over the cabbage rolls. Add bay leaves to the pot.

Step 7

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for approximately 2 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the rolls are cooked through.

Step 8

Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve hot, with extra tomato sauce from the pot if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2518.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1564.0

Total Fat 76.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 357.1mg	0%
Sodium 3418.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 117.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.2g	0%
Total Sugars 44.7g
Protein 122.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 621.1mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 2987.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.6%

Protein: 29.8%

Carbs: 28.6%