This healthy, low-carb, paleo, and whole 30 compliant slow cooker version of cabbage rolls is easy to make and perfect to serve any night of the week.
Yes, you read that correctly, this recipe is low-carb, paleo AND whole 30. In other words, this slow cooker recipe is HEALTHY. Of course:-) And super easy. Cabbage rolls look hard but they’re not. The prep isn’t too intensive and I didn’t even pre-boil my cabbage.
I riced my cauliflower in a food processor. Just add a chopped head cauliflower to the processor and pulse until it’s the consistency of rice. You can use whatever your preferred method is. I did not cook the cauliflower first, it goes in raw. For the ground meat, use the protein of your choice; I used lean ground beef. If you don’t eat red meat, this is a good recipe to use lean or extra lean ground turkey in because it won’t dry out as easy in the slow cooker than it would in the oven.
Wait, I didn’t boil my cabbage? Nope. I heated the leaves up in the microwave for 30 seconds and they’re soft and ready to roll.
BEFORE
AFTER
You can use your preferred ground meat. Mine is currently grass-fed beef so that’s what I used. If you don’t eat red meat, this is a good recipe to use lean or extra lean ground turkey in because it won’t dry out as easy in the slow cooker than it would in the oven. The meat is raw, no need to brown it first. Don’t have time to roll your cabbage? Try my Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls – same flavor, no fuss!
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Paleo Cabbage Rolls (Low-Carb, Whole30)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1 medium head of cabbage (approx 3 pounds)
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups (1 small head) cauliflower rice
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning or another dried herb
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup water (for pressure cooker)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together ground meat, cauliflower rice, onion, seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic.
- Take your prepared cabbage leaf (see blog post)
- Fill each leaf with approximately 1/4 cup of the meat/cauliflower mixture.
- Roll up each leaf like a burrito.
Slow Cooker
- Spoon a thin layer of the diced tomatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the cabbage rolls, seam-side down.
- Poured the rest of the diced tomatoes on top.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6
Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
- Place a rack in the bottom of the pressure cooker. Pour in 1 cup water.
- Place half of the cabbage rolls on the rack. Cover the rolls with about half of the diced tomatoes. Add the remaining rolls and top with the rest of the sauce.
- Close & lock lid. Cook high pressure, 18 minutes. When done, natural release 15 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cabbage rolls
- Calories: 153
- Sugar: 7.2 g
- Sodium: 275.3 mg
- Fat: 2.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.9 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 19.5 g
- Cholesterol: 45.2 mg
You can also freeze these for later use! This made 12 cabbage rolls for me. Looking for a similar low-carb recipe? Check out my Slow Cooker Low-Carb Stuffed Peppers (Paleo/Whole30).
Looking for an Italian seasoning? Use this:
Love this recipe and want to see more? Check out my new cookbook!
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Dana
Monday 28th of January 2019
Can these be rolled and frozen before cooking? I like to prep a bunch of slow-cooker meals in my freezer each month and these look tasty!
Dana
Monday 28th of January 2019
Whoops, just saw the note on the page that says they can be frozen for later use! ;-) I need to read more carefully before commenting. I'm excited to try these, thank you for sharing!
Diana
Wednesday 19th of September 2018
Tried them but they came out really watery. Since it was the first time I just went with it. But I think next time I'll add some cornstarch to the liquid to try to make a heavier sauce. Any suggestions?
Shalar
Friday 12th of June 2020
This is a Paleo recipe. Cornstarch is not Paleo.
Maybe try arrowroot or something else Paleo approved for thickening.
Haley
Wednesday 22nd of August 2018
Can I cook it on low overnight? Will it be over cooked?
Fit SlowCooker Queen
Thursday 20th of September 2018
Sorry, I don't suggest cooking this overnight. It will definitely overcook.
dolphinlights
Tuesday 20th of March 2018
Question: If I don't have a microwave, is there another way to soften the cabbage leaves so that they can be rolled? I was thinking to put them in a kettle of water at a rolling boil for just a minute or two?
Fit SlowCooker Queen
Tuesday 27th of March 2018
Yup you nailed it. The good old fashioned boiling works perfectly. Enjoy!
Jess
Monday 12th of March 2018
I can’t have tomatoes, but this sounds really good. Do you have a suggestion for a tomatoe substitute?
Gabe
Wednesday 4th of March 2020
1.You can make white sauce not too thick add spices you like. 2. Use a good broth and spices, this will be better as far as carbs are concerned.
Ann
Tuesday 14th of August 2018
I know this is late, but check out recipes for no-mato sauce online. You could use that and it would work great. I would recommend making a batch of no-mato sauce in advance (it freezes well)