Vegan Greek Cabbage Rolls: The Perfect Comfort Food

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: sunflower oil

Avocado oil provides healthy fats while being versatile.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Quinoa is high in protein and gluten-free.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: water

💰Cheaper: homemade broth

Water can be used for a lighter flavor.

cabbage

🥗Healthier: collard greens

💰Cheaper: kale

Kale offers similar texture and nutrition.

Peel off the external layer of the cabbage and cut out the core.

Boil a pot of water with salt and add the cabbage, core side down, for about 10 minutes.

Flip the cabbage and peel off the outer layers as they soften, placing them in a strainer to cool.

Finely chop an onion and sauté it in a frying pan with a pinch of salt and about a quarter cup of olive oil until soft and golden, about 8 minutes.

Grate 3 garlic cloves and add them to the sautéed onion, cooking for a few seconds until fragrant.

In a bowl, rinse 2 cups of basmati rice until the water runs clear, then soak for 15 minutes and drain.

Combine the drained rice with the sautéed onion and garlic, adding 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of dry dill, black pepper, and parsley.

Add 3 teaspoons of lemon juice to the rice mixture and mix well.

Take a heaping tablespoon of filling and place it on the cabbage leaf, rolling it tightly, and place it seam-side down in a pot.

Layer any torn cabbage leaves at the bottom of the pot, then arrange the rolls tightly.

Drizzle olive oil on top and season with salt, then add 2 cups of water and weigh the rolls down with two plates.

Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 45 minutes to an hour until the rice is tender.

After cooking, add more water if needed to ensure there is broth in the pot.

Mix a heaping teaspoon of corn starch with lemon juice, whisk until smooth, and pour into the pot without stirring, just shaking to distribute the sauce.

Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes to finish.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary