Keto Cabbage Roll in a Bowl (Ready in Under 30 Minutes)

This is one of my go-to save-dinner meals, the kind you make when you are staring into the fridge with no plan at all. Keto cabbage roll in a bowl gets you all the flavor of a classic cabbage roll, minus the rolling and stuffing.

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It is also known as unstuffed cabbage rolls, and it comes together in one skillet with a lot of fiber-rich vegetables and protein. This is genuinely fast enough for a busy weeknight.

I serve this with rice for the kids, while my husband and I eat it exactly as written, no extra carbs added.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

Cabbage shreds have a habit of cooking into nothingness if you leave them in the pan too long. Watch for tender-crisp, not soft and translucent, and pull the pan off the heat the moment it gets there.

Start with a genuinely big skillet, since everything for this dish goes into one pot from start to finish. Use a lean-ish ground beef, something like 80/20, so you get real flavor without much fat to drain off afterward. The cauliflower goes in before the cabbage, giving it a few extra minutes to soften since it takes longer to cook through.

A good quality tomato sauce matters more than people expect in a simple dish like this. Check the label for added sugar, or make your own if you want full control over what’s in it.

This is genuinely flexible on protein. Ground pork, ground chicken, or a combination of meats all work in place of straight beef. It freezes reasonably well too, though cabbage holds a lot of water, so expect some texture loss and a bit more wateriness once it’s thawed.

What You’ll Love About Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

• Flexible enough for a mixed household, rice for some, plain for others.
• All the flavor of a classic cabbage roll, with none of the rolling or stuffing.
• One skillet from start to finish, so cleanup stays simple.

Ingredients

• Ground beef – Lean-ish, like 80/20. Ground pork or chicken work in its place.
• Cauliflower – Chopped or riced, cooked before the cabbage goes in.
• Cabbage – Shredded, from a bag or a head. Watch it closely, it turns to mush fast.
• Heavy whipping cream – Full fat.
• Dehydrated onion flakes – Onion powder works as a substitute in a smaller amount.
• Garlic powder – Fresh minced garlic works too, in a smaller amount.
• Tomato sauce – Check the label for added sugar, or make your own for full control.
• Salt and pepper – To taste.

How to Make Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Brown the ground beef in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the beef.

Add the chopped cauliflower and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dehydrated onion flakes. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the cabbage and cook a few more minutes, until tender-crisp but not translucent. Add the cream and tomato sauce, mix well, and heat through.

Make It A Meal

I sometimes add another green veggie like Skillet Braised Kale with Garlic alongside this. For a similar bowl-style dinner on a different night, try Korean Beef Bowl or Spicy Pork Stir Fry.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, seal in freezer bags in single or family-size portions, pressing out the air, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on defrost in the microwave, then reheat covered, stirring every few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions