Garlic Soy Napa Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Soy Napa Cabbage Rolls are a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender cabbage leaves with a savory beef and mushroom filling. Infused with a rich garlic-soy sauce and a hint of spice, these rolls make a delightful meal perfect for any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 15 napa cabbage leaves
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
• 8 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• Sesame seeds for garnishing
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp chili sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the napa cabbage leaves and cook for 2.5 to 3 minutes until just softened. Remove, pat dry, and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced red onion, chopped mushrooms, and ground beef together until the beef is no longer pink and the mushrooms have released their moisture.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili sauce.
4. Step 4: Pour most of the sauce into the pan with the filling, reserving a little for serving. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Trim the thick stem from each cabbage leaf. Place 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the filling on a leaf and roll tightly like a dumpling.
6. Step 6: In the same pan, cook the cabbage rolls over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side until lightly browned.
7. Step 7: Drizzle the reserved sauce over the rolls and sprinkle with sliced scallions and sesame seeds before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a saucier dish, add some tomato sauce or broth while cooking the rolls.
• You can bake the rolls in a covered baking dish at 350°F (180°C) for 25 minutes instead of pan-frying.
• Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to complete your meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through to maintain their texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cabbage for this recipe?

Yes, you can use savoy or green cabbage leaves, but napa cabbage is preferred for its tenderness and flexibility when rolling.

Is it possible to make these rolls vegetarian?

Absolutely. Substitute the ground beef with extra mushrooms, crumbled tofu, or cooked lentils for a meat-free version.

Garlic Soy Napa Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 149 reviews

Garlic Soy Napa Cabbage Rolls are a delicious fusion dish featuring tender napa cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, mushrooms, and aromatics, all glazed with a flavorful garlic soy sauce. The cabbage leaves are lightly blanched to soften, then rolled with a rich filling and pan-seared until golden, making for a comforting and healthy meal with Asian-inspired flavors.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 15 cabbage rolls, serves 4-6 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the cabbage rolls:

• 15 napa cabbage leaves
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
• 8 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• Sesame seeds for garnishing

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp chili sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the napa cabbage leaves and cook for 2.5 to 3 minutes until just softened. Remove the leaves, pat dry with a clean towel, and set aside.
2. Make the filling: In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced red onion, chopped mushrooms, and ground beef. Sauté until the ground beef is no longer pink and the mushrooms have released their moisture, stirring occasionally to break up the meat.
3. Make the sauce: While the filling cooks, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili sauce in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
4. Combine filling and sauce: Pour most of the prepared sauce into the pan with the cooked filling mixture. Stir well and let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat.
5. Assemble and cook cabbage rolls: Trim the thick stem base from each softened cabbage leaf. Place 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the beef and mushroom filling near the base of each leaf. Roll the leaf tightly like a dumpling, folding in the sides as you roll. Return the pan to medium heat, add a touch of oil if necessary, and cook the rolls for about 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned and heated through.
6. Serve: Arrange the cabbage rolls on a serving plate. Drizzle with the reserved sauce and garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

• These cabbage rolls pair wonderfully with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad for a balanced meal.
• You can alternatively bake the assembled rolls covered with foil in a baking dish for 25 minutes at 180°C (350°F) for a hands-off cooking method.
• For a saucier version, add extra soy sauce or a bit of tomato sauce or broth while cooking the filling or baking the rolls.

Keywords: Napa cabbage rolls, ground beef recipe, garlic soy sauce, Asian cabbage rolls, savory cabbage rolls, mushroom beef filling, pan-seared cabbage rolls