Whole30 Sarmale in Cabbage Leaves

Whole30 Sarmale in Cabbage Leaves is a wholesome and flavorful twist on the classic stuffed cabbage dish, reimagined to align with Whole30 guidelines. Tender cabbage leaves are carefully wrapped around a savory mixture of ground pork, nutrient-packed cauliflower rice, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley, creating a comforting yet clean meal. Slow-baked in a tangy apple cider vinegar-infused broth with a touch of tomato paste, this dish delivers rich, satisfying flavors without any added grains, dairy, or sugar. Perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep, these sarmale are not only gluten-free and paleo but also bursting with hearty, earthy goodness that will leave your taste buds delighted. Serve them warm with a drizzle of the luscious, aromatic cooking liquid for a truly satisfying dining experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:105 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 large head green cabbage
• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 cups cauliflower rice
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp, fresh and chopped dill
• 2 tbsp, fresh and chopped parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the whole cabbage and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until outer leaves are tender. Carefully remove the cabbage and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine ground pork, cauliflower rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, dill, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

Step 3

Gently peel off individual cabbage leaves, trimming the thick stem at the base of each leaf if needed to make them more pliable.

Step 4

Place a spoonful of the pork mixture onto the core end of a cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll up tightly. Repeat with the remaining filling and leaves.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 6

In a Dutch oven or large oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Stir in apple cider vinegar and arrange the cabbage rolls tightly, seam side down, over the base of the pot. Layer the rolls if necessary.

Step 7

Pour chicken broth over the cabbage rolls and tuck bay leaves around them.

Step 8

Cover the pot with a lid and bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 hours, or until the rolls are cooked through and tender.

Step 9

Remove the pot from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm, drizzling a bit of the cooking liquid over the rolls.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1761.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1906.5

Total Fat 123.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 408.2mg	0%
Sodium 3923.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 61.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.2g	0%
Total Sugars 28.4g
Protein 137.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 446.1mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 2186.5mg	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: 58.3%

Protein: 28.8%

Carbs: 12.9%