Vegan Sarmale (Romanian Cabbage Rolls)

Delight in the comforting flavors of Vegan Sarmale, a plant-based twist on the Romanian classic cabbage rolls. Filled with a hearty medley of mushrooms, carrots, and rice, these rolls are seasoned with fragrant dill, thyme, and a rich tomato-infused vegetable stock for a robust flavor profile. Wrapped in tender, steamed cabbage leaves, each bite offers a delicious combination of textures and savory depth. This vegan version honors the traditional dish while being entirely meatless, perfect for those seeking a wholesome, satisfying meal. Slow-cooked to perfection, these cabbage rolls are ideal for sharing at family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. Serve them warm with crusty bread or a dollop of plant-based sour cream for a truly authentic experience. Keywords: vegan sarmale, Romanian cabbage rolls, plant-based comfort food, vegan Romanian recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 Large cabbage head
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Onion
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 250 grams Mushrooms
• 1 medium Carrot
• 150 grams Uncooked rice
• 240 ml Vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons Dill
• 500 ml Water

Directions

Step 1

Remove the core from the cabbage and place the entire head in a large pot of boiling water for 5 minutes to soften the leaves. Carefully peel off each leaf and set aside to cool.

Step 2

Finely chop the onion, garlic, mushrooms, and carrot. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent.

Step 3

Add the mushrooms and carrot to the pan and continue cooking until the vegetables are soft. Mix in the rice and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Pour in the vegetable stock, add the tomato paste, salt, pepper, thyme, and dill. Stir well and let simmer until the rice is half-cooked and liquid is mostly absorbed.

Step 5

Take one cooled cabbage leaf at a time and place a spoonful of the rice mixture at the base. Roll the leaf tightly over the filling, folding in the sides as you roll to secure.

Step 6

Repeat with remaining cabbage leaves and filling, arranging the rolls snugly in a large pot.

Step 7

Pour water over the cabbage rolls to cover them, adding a pinch of salt to the water.

Step 8

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for about 1 hour, ensuring the rolls remain submerged in the liquid.

Step 9

Check the rolls occasionally for tenderness. Once the cabbage is fully cooked and the rice is tender, remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2505.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1471.5

Total Fat 43.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3470.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 241.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.9g	0%
Total Sugars 57.2g
Protein 44.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 598.6mg	0%
Iron 12.1mg	0%
Potassium 4214.5mg	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: 25.6%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 62.8%