Easy Napa Cabbage Rolls
These easy vegan Napa cabbage rolls are packed with a savory tofu, veggie, and rice filling, then rolled in tender cabbage leaves and served with a spicy umami sauce. Simple to make, naturally gluten-free (if using tamari), and perfect for meal prep or light dinners.
Equipment
- Frying pan
- Large pot or steamer
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board + knife
- Tongs or spatula
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 medium carrot finely chopped
- 3 spring onions finely sliced
- 4 mushrooms finely chopped
- 1 block of firm tofu (200–250g) crumbled
- 4 tbsp cooked rice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1-2 tbsp corn starch
For the Rolls:
- 8-10 Napa cabbage leaves
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chilli oil
- 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp Oyster sauce (or vegan alternative)
- 1-2 tbsp water (start with 1 and adjust to taste)
Instructions
- 1. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté the carrot, spring onions, and mushrooms for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- 2. Add the crumbled tofu and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring well to combine.
- 3. Stir in the cooked rice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.
- 4. Sprinkle the corn starch over the mixture and cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- 5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the Napa cabbage leaves for about 1 minute until just tender. Drain and gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- 6. Place a cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the filling near the base. Fold in the sides, then roll tightly to enclose the filling. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
- 7. Heat a drizzle of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the cabbage rolls seam-side down and pan-fry for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and lightly crisped.
- 8. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chilli oil, Sriracha, oyster sauce, and water. Taste and adjust the heat or saltiness as needed.
- 9. Serve the cabbage rolls warm, drizzled with the sauce or with the sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Adjust the spiciness of the sauce according to taste.
The rolls can be prepped in advance and pan-fried just before serving.
Perfect for meal prep as they reheat well.
Adjust the spiciness of the sauce according to taste.
The rolls can be prepped in advance and pan-fried just before serving.
Perfect for meal prep as they reheat well.
Nutrition
Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 744mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1410IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 1mg