Cabbage Roll Dumplings
These cabbage roll dumplings are a veggie-forward take on a classic! They have all of the flavors you love about dumplings but use cabbage for a gluten and grain-free wrapper.
Why you’ll love these cabbage roll dumplings
Dumplings are just the best! They come in so many shapes and sizes, and they’re all equally as delicious. I’m of Polish descent, cabbage based meals (like my polish fried cabbage and noodles) and pierogies were always very popular in my house, but so were Chinese dumplings! I love the flavors in Chinese dumplings and have missed them ever since going gluten and soy free.
This recipe is inspired by Chinese dumplings but crossed with a cabbage roll. They’re gluten and soy-free, and so fun to eat and make. Here’s why you’re going to love them…
- Dumplings, but grain-free! I love the flavors of Chinese dumplings and love that these are grain free.
- They are perfect with a dipping sauce! I love a good dipping sauce and made this one with coconut aminos, coconut sugar, ginger and garlic or if you can tolerate it then use chili oil.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Chicken. I love chicken dumplings, but this recipe would also be good with ground pork.
- Carrots, Yellow Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions, Coconut Aminos, Arrowroot Starch, Salt, and Pepper. These ingredients plus the ground chicken make the delicious dumpling mixture.
- Napa Cabbage Leaves. Green cabbage would also work.
Recipe Tools
- Steamer basket or bamboo steamer. I love using a bamboo steamer, but you can also use a stainless steel steamer basket inside a pot or large pan.
- Tongs. You’ll definitely need tongs to handle this recipe.
- Meat thermometer. This is super helpful to ensure the dumplings are cooked through.
How to make Gluten Free Cabbage Roll Dumplings
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this recipe. Find full instructions in the recipe card.
Step one. Make the dumpling filling.
Step two. Prep the cabbage leaves by slicing off the base and then blancing to soften.
Step three. Add the dumpling filling to the center of the cabbage.
Step four. Roll the edges and roll into a dumpling.
Step five. Repeat with all of the cabbage and filling.
Step six. Bring water to boil and place steamer on top to steam for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through. Crisp in a pan if desired!
Michelle’s Tips & Tricks
- Switch out napa cabbage for green cabbage. This will still work either way! You just want to cut out the white stems.
- Use pork instead of chicken. I love chicken dumplings, but you can easily make this recipe with pork as well.
- Enjoy steamed of crisped. These taste delicious straight out of the steamer, or you can add them to a pan with oil to lightly crisp up the cabbage.
Dipping sauce options
You can easily make a spicy dipping sauce with chili oil and coconut aminos!
For me, since I’m nightshade-free and can’t do chili oil, I made a sauce with about 1/4 cup coconut aminos, a pinch of coconut sugar, and some ginger and garlic.
If you tried these Cabbage Roll Dumplings or any other recipe on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
More Asian Inspired Recipes To Try
Cabbage Roll Dumplings (Gluten & Soy Free)
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Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ¼ cup carrots, finely chopped
- ¼ yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 thumb ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp green onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tsp arrowroot starch
- Salt & pepper, omit pepper for AIP
- 12 napa cabbage leaves
Equipment
Instructions
- Using a large deep pot or pan, fill about half of the way with water and begin to bring to a boil, moving onto the rest of the prep while the water comes to a boil.
- To make the filling for the dumplings, combine the chicken, carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, green onion, coconut aminos, arrowroot starch, and salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and set in the fridge while you prep the cabbage leaves.
- Break off a dozen cabbage leaves off of the napa cabbage and wash well. Using a knife, chop the bottom third off of the cabbage pieces to remove the thick white stem. Place the cabbage leaves in the boiling water for about 2-3 minutes or until soft. Remove from the water and pat dry.
- To prepare the dumplings, prep a station with the bamboo steamer, a plate with the cabbage leaves, and the chicken dumpling mixture. Use your hands or a cookie scoop to scoop out about 2 tbsp of the chicken mixture at a time. Roll into an oblong shape and place at the base of a cabbage leaf. Fold in the edges of the cabbage leaf to over the chicken mixture, and roll up, into a tight dumpling. Place the dumpling in the steamer. Repeat with all of the ingredients, evenly spacing the dumplings.
- Bring about 1-2 inches of water in a large pot or skillet that the steamer can hover over. Place the steamer on top and allow to steam for 12-15 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted reads 165 F.
- If desired, you can crisp the dumplings by bring about a tablespoon of oil to medium-high heat in a pan. Crisp the dumplings for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they have a nice crisp.
- Serve topped with green onion and a dipping sauce of your choice!
Can I use a stainless steel steamer? I don’t have bamboo
yes, that will work too!
What is your opinion on pre-rolling them in the afternoon, refrigerating them, then steam them the same evening?
Hmmm I haven’t tried that, it may work!
Can you freeze these? Or do you have to eat them right away?
Cabbage doesn’t really freeze well unfortunately. You can freeze the filling though to cut down on prep time!
I made these with ground pork and made a spicy peanut dipping sauce. They were delicious! It was more than enough for 4 people in our opinion.
So glad you liked it!!
Where do you get a bamboo steamer I’m really particular about toxicity of my cookware.
Amazon!