Vegetarian Golubtsy — Steamed Savoy Cabbage Rolls

Step into the world of Eastern European comfort food with a modern, healthy twist! Today, we're making Vegetarian Golubtsy, or stuffed cabbage rolls. Traditionally filled with meat, our version features a savory mix of mushrooms, rice, and vegetables, all wrapped in delicate savoy cabbage leaves. Instead of stewing, we'll be steaming them to preserve their vibrant color and nutrients, resulting in a dish that's as light and beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for a wholesome family dinner!

Cooking: 45 minutes
Quantity: 4 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 235 kcal
Proteins: 6 g
Fats: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 39 g

Ingredients for Vegetarian Steamed Savoy Cabbage Rolls

  • 4 large savoy cabbage leaves
  • 150 g fresh button mushrooms
  • 100 g short-grain rice
  • 120 g onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 80 g carrots
  • 130 g bell pepper
  • 1 chili pepper
  • salt, pepper, vegetable oil
  • soy sauce, Dijon mustard, cilantro, and soy yogurt for the sauce

How to Make Vegetarian Steamed Savoy Cabbage Rolls

Start by preparing the ingredients for the filling. Wipe fresh button mushrooms with a paper towel or rinse them under cold running water. Slice the cleaned mushrooms thinly.

Close-up of hands slicing fresh button mushrooms on a cutting board.

Slicing the cleaned button mushrooms

Pour a tablespoon of vegetable oil into a frying pan. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for a few minutes, stirring to ensure they brown evenly. Do not salt them at this stage!

Remove the mushrooms from the pan. In the same oil, cook the vegetables. Quickly sauté the thinly sliced onion half-rings, then add the sliced chili pepper and finely chopped garlic. When the onion becomes translucent, add the fresh carrots, cut into thin strips, and fry over medium heat for a few minutes.

Add the sweet bell pepper, diced into small cubes, to the vegetables. Cook the vegetables over moderate heat for 10 minutes.

Sliced mushrooms being sautéed in a hot frying pan.

Sautéing the mushrooms

A mix of chopped vegetables being sautéed in a frying pan.

Sautéing the vegetables

Diced bell peppers being added to a pan of sautéing vegetables.

Add the sweet bell pepper and cook the vegetables over moderate heat for 10 minutes


While the vegetables are simmering, prepare the cabbage leaves for the vegetarian golubtsy (a traditional Eastern European dish of cabbage leaves stuffed with a filling). Remove large, undamaged leaves from the head of cabbage. With a sharp knife, trim the thick stem from each leaf. Bring 2 liters of water to a boil and salt it. One by one, dip the cabbage leaves into the water and blanch for 3 minutes. Place them in a colander to drain.

A savoy cabbage leaf being blanched in a pot of boiling water.

Preparing the cabbage leaves

Cook the short-grain rice until done. First, rinse the raw grains in cold water. Then, place the rice in a saucepan, add 150 ml of cold water, bring to a boil, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat for 10 minutes (do not salt!).

Place the cooked rice in a bowl and add the mushrooms.

A bowl containing cooked rice with sautéed mushrooms being added.

Place the cooked rice in a bowl and add the mushrooms

Add the stewed vegetables to the rice and mushrooms. At this stage, salt the filling to your taste and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.

Sautéed vegetables being added to the rice and mushroom mixture in a bowl.

Add the stewed vegetables, salt, and pepper

Divide the filling into 4 parts. Place a portion of the filling on the edge of a blanched cabbage leaf, closer to the thicker end.

Fold the sides of the leaves inward and roll them up into neat parcels.

Grease the rack of a steamer with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Place the vegetarian savoy cabbage golubtsy on the rack and steam over a moderate boil for 20 minutes.

A portion of the rice and vegetable filling placed on a blanched savoy cabbage leaf.

Place the filling on the edge of a blanched cabbage leaf

A savoy cabbage leaf being neatly folded around the filling to form a roll.

Roll up neat little parcels

Assembled vegetarian cabbage rolls arranged on a steamer rack, ready for cooking.

Place the cabbage rolls on the rack and cook at a moderate boil for 20 minutes


Serve the vegetarian cabbage rolls with mushrooms hot, drizzled with sauce.

Finished vegetarian steamed cabbage rolls on a plate, drizzled with sauce.

Serve the vegetarian cabbage rolls with sauce

And there you have it—beautiful, flavorful, and healthy vegetarian golubtsy! These steamed cabbage rolls are wonderfully versatile. Serve them hot, drizzled with the suggested soy-mustard sauce or a simple dollop of plant-based sour cream. Feel free to experiment with the filling by adding different grains or spices. We hope this recipe inspires you to explore the lighter side of classic comfort food. Enjoy your delicious and wholesome meal!