High Protein Traditional Sarma

Elevate your comfort food game with this High Protein Traditional Sarma, a nourishing twist on the classic Balkan favorite. Combining tender pickled cabbage leaves, a succulent mix of lean ground beef and turkey, nutrient-packed lentils, and hearty quinoa, this protein-rich recipe is as satisfying as it is wholesome. Flavored with aromatic spices like paprika and oregano, and simmered in a rich tomato broth, these stuffed cabbage rolls are a flavorful yet health-conscious dish. Perfect for meal prep or cozy family dinners, this gluten-free recipe effortlessly balances tradition with modern nutritional benefits. Garnished with fresh parsley, each bite delivers a taste of heritage with a nutritious upgrade. Make this high-protein sarma your next home-cooked triumph!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 pieces pickled cabbage leaves
• 300 grams lean ground beef
• 300 grams ground turkey
• 100 grams cooked lentils
• 50 grams quinoa
• 1 medium onion
• 3 pieces garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 400 grams canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 milliliters water
• 15 grams fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pickled cabbage leaves under cold water to remove excess brine and set aside.

Step 2

Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool.

Step 3

Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic cloves.

Step 4

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground turkey, cooked lentils, cooked quinoa, chopped onion, garlic, paprika, ground black pepper, salt, and dried oregano. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 5

Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture near the base. Fold the sides of the leaf inwards, then roll tightly to form a stuffed roll. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.

Step 6

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the tomato paste and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 7

Add canned diced tomatoes and water to the pot. Stir to combine, then bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 8

Carefully arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the pot, stacking them in layers if necessary.

Step 9

Cover the rolls with additional water if needed to submerge them partially, then place a heatproof plate on top of the rolls to keep them in place during cooking.

Step 10

Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 90 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the rolls remain covered with liquid.

Step 11

Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Garnish the Sarma with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2505.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1831.2

Total Fat 88.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.1g
Cholesterol 406.8mg	0%
Sodium 8470.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 113.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.8g	0%
Total Sugars 38.4g
Protein 149.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 523.4mg	0%
Iron 24.4mg	0%
Potassium 3082.8mg	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: 43.1%

Protein: 32.4%

Carbs: 24.5%