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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls + VIDEO

Unstuffed cabbage rolls are an easy easy to enjoy a classic recipe. This healthy recipe can be made in your slow cooker or Instant Pot.

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Updated 2019 with Instant Pot instructions

My Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls recipe is one of my most popular recipes on this blog. Recently someone asked if I had a version that wouldn’t require her to roll the cabbage rolls. Voila, here you go with this unstuffed cabbage roll recipe.

before pic of Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30) in the electric pressure cooker

before (electric pressure cooker)

What Type Of Ground Meat To Use

I used ground beef but you can use ground beef, turkey, chicken, pork or sausage. For the slow cooker, I like to take the time to browned my beef beforehand so I can drain the excess grease. If you’re using a very lean meat, you might find that you don’t need to take this step.

add raw cabbage to the electric pressure cooker

add cabbage

Turn This Into Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

Unstuffed cabbage roll soup is a popular recipe. I’m a little souped-out at the moment but you can easily turn this recipe into a soup by simply adding an additional 5 cups of low-sodium beef broth.

cooked cabbage in the electric slow cooker

after (electric pressure cooker)

Using Cauliflower Rice

This is low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipe so I used cauliflower rice instead of traditional white rice.  You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice. I prefer to use fresh but frozen works too. Most times I use a full two cups of riced cauliflower, but sometimes I like to only 1 cup. What you see in the pics and video is 2 cups of cauliflower rice. Anything more than 2 cups you will need to add more broth.  While I have not tried using regular white rice, I imagine this recipe would work if you stirred cooked white rice into the dish after it’s done cooking.

after with cooked, riced cauliflower (electric pressure cooker)

Other cabbage recipes you might enjoy:

Low-Carb Corned Beef & Cabbage (Paleo, Whole30)

Corned Beef & Cabbage Soup (Paleo, Whole30)

Cabbage Rolls (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

Corned Beef & Cabbage (Paleo, Whole30)

close up pic of unstuffed cabbage rolls in the slow cooker

A modified version of this recipe first appeared n my second cookbook,  The Low Sodium Slow Cooker Cookbook.

close up pic of Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

 

Print
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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 head cabbage, chopped (approximately 4 cups)
  • 1 lb ground meat
  • 12 cups cauliflower rice
  • 28 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp parsley
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until no longer pink, crumbling as you go. Drain grease.
  2. Add ground meat along with all ingredients EXCEPT the cauliflower rice to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
  3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hour or LOW 6-8.
  4. Add cauliflower rice and cook an additional 15-30 minutes or until rice is tender.

Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)

  1. Set pressure cooker to the high saute setting. Once hot, add oil.
  2. Add ground meat & onion and cook until browned, 3-5 minutes, crumbling the meat as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  3. Add all other ingredients EXCEPT the cauliflower rice. Stir to mix well.
  4. Add lid, close and seal vent. Select manual setting and set time for 7 minutes. When cook time is completed, natural release pressure 5 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Open lid & stir in cauliflower rice.
  6. Add lid, close and seal vent. Select manual setting and set time for 0 (zero) minutes. Quick release pressure.
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 178
  • Sugar: 3.4 g
  • Sodium: 374.4 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.7 g
  • Fiber: 2.6 g
  • Protein: 16.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 52.2 mg

 

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on one of the product links, I’ll might receive compensation. For more about my disclosure policy see heres: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.

 

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”agBp4p5M” upload-date=”2019-12-23T18:04:22.000Z” name=”Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls” description=”Short on time but still want cabbage rolls? Make them unstuffed! This easy recipe can be made in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot).” player-type=”static”]

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls + VIDEO
Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Ramona I Polvere

Thursday 28th of October 2021

We loved it! Used ground turkey and onion but did not have to use oil or drain. Used about 1/3 of a cabbage and a bag of shredded coleslaw. Did not add rice or cauliflower, served both on the side. It is the essence of a cabbage roll

Joyce

Friday 16th of April 2021

This recipe sounds good. I'd probably cook thus in my instant pot. Could the cauliflower be replaced with brown brown rice? Would I need more liquid/time?

Kathy

Tuesday 9th of February 2021

Thank you, Love this recipe! I sprinkled grated Parmesan on top of my serving, Excellent

Brooke

Thursday 23rd of July 2020

This was delicious! I added 3 C of broth to make it more “soupy” but that was the only modification. I used the instant pot method and will definitely make it again! The whole family loves it. Thanks for another great recipe!

Tori

Friday 7th of February 2020

Do you think this would freeze/thaw well?

Ami Paulsen

Tuesday 16th of June 2020

This was so yummy!! It tasted just like traditional cabbage rolls but so much easier to make! I went back for seconds and an so excited for leftovers. Thank you for a great recipe!