Irresistible Vietnamese-Inspired Cabbage Rolls: 7 Steps to a Fresh and Flavorful Dish!

If you’re looking for a light, healthy, and delicious meal that’s packed with flavor, these Vietnamese-Inspired Cabbage Rolls are the answer! Combining the freshness of Vietnamese cuisine with the comforting appeal of stuffed cabbage rolls, this dish is a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and aromatic flavors. Filled with a mix of ground meat, rice, and herbs, then steamed to perfection, these rolls are served with a zesty dipping sauce that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or meal prepping for the week, these cabbage rolls are sure to impress. Let’s get rolling!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Vietnamese-Inspired Cabbage Rolls are a must-try for so many reasons:

• Fresh and Flavorful: Packed with aromatic herbs and a tangy dipping sauce.
• Healthy and Light: Steamed instead of baked, making it a guilt-free meal.
• Versatile: Use ground pork, chicken, or tofu to suit your preferences.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Perfect for making ahead and reheating throughout the week.
• Crowd-Pleasing: A hit at parties, potlucks, and family dinners.

Ingredients for Vietnamese-Inspired Cabbage Rolls

Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful dish:

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1 pound ground pork (or chicken, turkey, or tofu for a vegetarian option)
• 1 cup cooked jasmine rice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian option)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 small red chili, finely chopped (optional, for heat)

How To Make My Vietnamese-Inspired Cabbage Rolls

1. Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water.
2. After 2-3 minutes, the outer leaves will soften. Remove them with tongs and set aside to cool. Repeat until you have 12-15 large leaves.
3. Trim the thick stem from each leaf to make rolling easier.

2. Make the Filling:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, cooked rice, cilantro, mint, green onions, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.

3. Assemble the Rolls:

1. Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling near the base of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom to the top.
2. Secure with a toothpick if needed.

4. Steam the Rolls:

1. Arrange the rolls in a steamer basket, seam side down. Steam for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is fully cooked.

5. Make the Dipping Sauce:

1. 1. In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, water, garlic, and chili (if using) until the sugar dissolves.

6. Serve and Enjoy:

1. Serve the cabbage rolls warm with the dipping sauce on the side. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.