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Turkish Cabbage Rolls

Turkish Cabbage Rolls are made with spiced lamb, crunchy pine nuts, a medley of Turkish spices and herbs, then all baked in an aromatic Turkish tomato sauce.

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
1 hr mins
Total Time
2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 512 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American , Turkish

Ingredients

  • 1 head green cabbage choose a larger one
Turkish Tomato Sauce:
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chicken broth
Lamb Filling:
  • 1/2 cup Turkish tomato sauce or regular tomato sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb uncooked
  • 1 cup bulgur wheat soaked
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander
  • 1 teaspoon sumac optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup dried apricots very finely chopped
Mint Yogurt Sauce:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt full fat
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves very finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill very finely
  • salt and pepper
Garnish:
  • chopped fresh parsley dill, or mint
  • toasted pine nuts

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare/soak Bulgur Wheat per package directions.
Mint Yogurt Sauce:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Mis all the yogurt sauce ingredients, taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Blanch Cabbage:
  1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, Peel off the cabbage leaves and blanch the leaves in batches for 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Make the Turkish Tomato Sauce:
  1. In a large saute pan, over medium-high heat, add the oil, and once hot, saute the onion until tender, 3-4 mins.
  2. Lower heat to medium, add garlic, saute for 2 minutes.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, spices, salt, and chicken broth.
  4. Stir, bring to a simmer for 3-4 minutes, then turn the heat off.
  5. Place 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish and distribute to lightly coat the bottom. Set aside.
Make the filling:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a medium bowl, add the lamb, soaked and drained bulgar wheat, garlic, Turkish tomato sauce, salt, spices, pine nuts, and dried apricots, mix until well combined.
  3. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
  4. Place a blanched cabbage leaf on a cutting board. Cut about 2 inches of the thick vein out of the bottom end.
  5. Fill with 1/3 cup lamb filling and roll up like a burrito. Make sure to tuck in the edges and place it seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
  6. Once you have all the cabbage rolls in the baking dish (about 12-14), pour the remaining tomato sauce on top. Shake the pan lightly to distribute the sauce and cover tightly with foil.
  7. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, mint, dill, and a few pinenuts

Nutrition Information

Calories 512kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 31g (62%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 84mg (28%) Sodium 1452mg (61%) Potassium 1176mg (34%) Fiber 12g (48%) Sugar 15g (30%) Vitamin A 839IU (17%) Vitamin C 71mg (79%) Calcium 196mg (20%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 512

% Daily Value*

Calories 512kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 31g 62%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 84mg 28%
Sodium 1452mg 61%
Potassium 1176mg 25%
Fiber 12g 48%
Sugar 15g 30%
Vitamin A 839IU 17%
Vitamin C 71mg 79%
Calcium 196mg 20%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.