Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ground Turkey

Español Today I’m sharing one of my favorite comfort foods, but with a lighter twist: stuffed cabbage rolls made with ground turkey.

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Now that I’m in my mid-forties, I find myself looking for lighter versions of the dishes I love. I try to include good sources of protein in all my meals and I like recipes that can stretch for a few days, so I don’t feel the pressure of cooking every single day. That’s why I often make a big batch of these cabbage rolls—or rollitos de repollo, as we call them in Mexico. I’ll enjoy them for lunch and dinner for a couple of days, and honestly, I never get tired of them.

I’ve really fallen in love with this turkey version because it’s hearty, full of flavor, and still feels lighter than the traditional beef recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil (I use avocado oil)
• 2 eggs
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ onion
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
• ½ tablespoon salt
• 1 cabbage

How to Make Ground Turkey Cabbage Rolls

• 1-Season the filling: Blend the garlic, onion, mustard, paprika, bouillon, salt, and pepper. Mix into the ground turkey with the eggs. Let it marinate while you prep the cabbage.

• 2-Prepare the cabbage: Steam the cabbage head for about 10 minutes until the leaves soften. Gently separate them and trim the thick center vein so they can roll easily.

• 3- Roll them up: Place a spoonful of the turkey mixture onto a cabbage leaf, fold the sides like a burrito, and roll it up tightly.

• 4- Cook: Heat a pan with a little oil. Add the cabbage rolls, cover with a lid, and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes. They’ll release their own liquid, cooking gently in that flavorful broth. If there’s too much water, remove the lid and let it reduce.

• Serve: I love serving them with a little of the natural juices. You can also spoon over a simple tomato sauce (I’ll link my homemade Mexican tomato sauce here). Pair them with classic Mexican arroz rojo or vegetable rice for a complete meal.

Why I Love This Recipe

My rule in the kitchen is simple: hearty food that the whole family can enjoy together. In the past, I tried so many eating plans that forced me to cook one dish for myself and something completely different for the rest of the family—it was impossible to keep up with, especially as a working mom. That’s why I love this recipe: it’s flavorful, filling, and something everyone at home can enjoy around the same table.

Complete your meal with these recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll also love:

• Sopa de Fideos – a kids favorite!!
• Mexican Tomato Sauce – great topping for these cabbage rolls.
• Vegetable Rice – a colorful, tasty side dish that pairs beautifully.