Vegan Cabbage Rolls With Seitan Chorizo

User Reviews

5

30 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    40 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    320 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American, Mexican

Vegan Cabbage Rolls With Seitan Chorizo

Vegan Cabbage Rolls with Seitan Chorizo feature tender savoy cabbage leaves filled with a savory mix of sautéed onions, vegan chorizo, swiss chard or kale, and cooked rice, all baked atop a chunky salsa base. A homemade 5-minute Mexican cheese sauce made from cashew nuts and tapioca starch adds a creamy, slightly smoky touch. Garnished with cilantro and avocado, these rolls are a hearty plant-based main dish with bold flavors.

Description

This recipe assembles cabbage leaves softened by blanching, and filled with a warm mixture of cooked rice, savory vegan chorizo, sautéed onion, and greens such as swiss chard or kale. The mixture is seasoned with salt and pepper and layered over a chunky salsa spread in a baking dish. The rolls are then covered with a quick Mexican-style vegan cheese sauce crafted from soaked cashews, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, and spices, which thickens upon cooking to provide a creamy topping.

The baking process melds the flavors and softens the cabbage leaves further, yielding a filling, textured dish with layers of spicy and smoky notes, thanks to the chipotle flakes and smoked paprika in the sauce. Garnishes of fresh cilantro and sliced avocado add freshness and creaminess to the presentation.

These rolls work well as a main course for a vegan meal. The use of seitan chorizo introduces a meat-like texture and spice, balanced by the creamy cheese sauce and the mild cabbage leaves.

Chorizo variations include homemade seitan chorizo or a gluten-free tofu option. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days and are best reheated in the microwave to preserve moisture and texture.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Cabbage Rolls:

  • 8 savoy cabbage leaves, can substitute green cabbage
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 10 ounces vegan chorizo see Notes for homemade options
  • 1 small swiss chard or kale, chopped
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups rice cooked
  • 16 ounce chunky salsa container of

For the 5-Minute Mexican cheese sauce:

  • 1 cup water
  • cup cashew nuts raw
  • 2 tablespoon tapioca starch or arrowroot or corn starch
  • 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle flakes dried
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt fine sea salt

Garnish:

  • cilantro
  • avocado

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Wash the cabbage leaves and fill a soup pot about ⅓ full with water. Bring water to a boil and submerge the cabbage leaves. Cook for about 2 minutes. Carefully remove with tongs and place the leaves on a tea towel to dry.
  3. If the chorizo isn't already crumbled, pulse it in a food processor until ground, or finely chop by hand.
  4. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the onion until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chorizo plus a splash of water (to prevent sticking), and cook for 2 minutes. Add more water as necessary. Add the kale, a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until the kale is wilted. 
  5. Stir in the cooked rice and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
  6. Spread salsa in the bottom of a baking dish (my 8x10" dish holds six rolls, but you can also use a 9x13" casserole dish; you'll have enough filling to make 7 or 8 rolls). 
  7. Place a cabbage leaf on your cutting board and fill the center with the chorizo mixture. Fold in the sides so that they overlap. Then, fold in the bottom and top. Place folded side down in the baking dish. Repeat until you've used up the filling or your baking dish is full. Spoon about half of the remaining salsa onto the cabbage rolls. Set aside.

Make the cheese:

  1. Combine the cheese ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a small sauce pan and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until thickened. This happens quickly, so don't walk away! As soon as it thickens, remove from heat and spoon cheese onto the cabbage rolls.

Bake:

  1. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese has browned slightly. Top with cilantro and avocado and enjoy!

Notes

  • Try homemade seitan chorizo or a gluten-free tofu version for the filling.
  • Refrigerate leftover cabbage rolls up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave to maintain moisture.
  • The cabbage leaves can be green or savoy, depending on availability.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 320kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 1220mg (51%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 16900IU (338%) Vitamin C 80mg (89%) Calcium 140mg (14%) Iron 2.7mg (15%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 320 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 320kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1220mg 51%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 16900IU 338%
Vitamin C 80mg 89%
Calcium 140mg 14%
Iron 2.7mg 15%

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

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