Cabbage Dumplings in Gravy (Vegan, Gluten-Free) (2024)

This Cabbage Dumplings in Gravy (Vegan, Gluten-Free) are easy to prepare and flavorful. Scrumptious shredded cabbage, seasoned with spices, formed into balls, and baked. Then served smothered in a spicy and flavorful tomato curry gravy.

As a novice vegetarian, I found it challenging to fit in during Holiday gatherings. When it comes to food, old practices were set aside in favor of new and unfamiliar ones. Soon, I realized there are also many great meat-free ways to celebrate the holiday.

Cabbage Dumplings/Balls is one of the first dishes I explored that can quickly transform an ordinary holiday table into something festive and unforgettable. These Cabbage Dumplings/Balls may require some extra time and effort, but in the end, they’re worth it to make the holidays feel incredibly special!

This recipe is so amazing it takes cabbage to another level. Just like my Cabbage Curry and my Cabbage Soup recipe, so simple yet so delicious.

This recipe is my version of Cabbage Kofta that I had at an Indian restaurant years ago. You may be asking what is a kofta? A kofta is a meatball or vegetable ball served with spicy curry/gravy.

These crispy, vegan, gluten-free cabbage balls dipped in creamy, spicy, nutty, and flavourful gravy are perfect for the Thanksgiving menu. Cabbage dumplings/balls are also delicious without gravy. These balls are a very gratifying snack for both kids and adults. These Crunchy Cabbage Dumplings/Balls go perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.

You can also prepare Vegan Lentil Meatballs and Vegan Tofu Meatballs

“Try these cabbage dumplings/balls to treat yourself with something as healthy as delicious.”

Are Cabbage Dumplings/Balls Healthy?

Apart from its delicious taste, these Cabbage Dumplings/Balls are incredibly healthy, as the base ingredient is cabbage. Cabbage is a nutrient-dense vegetable that is low in calories, high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Additionally, cabbage is rich in fiber and antioxidants, such as polyphenols and sulfur compounds.

Antioxidants shield the body from free radical damage. A free radical is a molecule that is unstable due to its odd number of electrons. When their levels reach an abnormally high level, they might cause damage to your cells.

Cabbage is a good source of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that may help against cancer, heart disease, and vision loss. Additionally, vitamin C improves the absorption of nonheme iron, which is abundant in plant-based foods.

Antioxidants found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage have been shown to prevent chronic inflammation.

This crunchy vegetable is rich in soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber benefits the digestive tract’s health by increasing the volume of feces and promoting regular bowel movements.

Cabbage contains potent antioxidants known as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments found in plants. A number of studies have linked eating foods high in this pigment to a lower risk of heart disease.

Potassium assists in maintaining a normal blood pressure level. Increasing your diet of potassium-rich vegetables such as cabbage may aid in the reduction of high blood pressure.

Apart from cabbage balls, the gravy is also healthy. It contains healthy ingredients like cashew and coconut milk. Both are extremely nutritious and possess many health benefits.

How To Prepare Cabbage Dumplings/Balls?

There’s a bit of overlap in tasking to make this recipe, but it flows easily from one step to the next. Give yourself plenty of time to pull this Cabbage Dumplings/Balls recipe together, but in case you need a make-ahead option, I’m sharing some suggestions in the recipe notes.

To prepare these cabbage balls, you’ll require the following ingredients:

Ingredients

For Dumplings/Balls

• Green cabbage – you would be amazed how delicious cabbage is in these vegan meatballs, soft and flavorful.
• Coconut oil – you can substitute with avocado oil
• Onion – adds flavor, use white, yellow, or red onion.
• Garlic – boost flavor
• Cumin powder and Coriander– add a deep earthy flavor.
• Chickpea flour or Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour – acts as a binder
• Water – add in case the dumplings aren’t binding properly, starting with 2 tablespoons.
• Salt – makes all the flavors pop

For The Gravy

• Coconut oil
• Onion, finely chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, minced
• Tomato, chopped
• Curry powder
• Paprika
• Coconut milk
• Water
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt, or to taste
• Cashews
• Cilantro leaves

Instructions

Start with preparing the Cabbage Dumplings/Balls:

1. Place cabbage in a food processor and pulse until finely shredded. Transfer shredded cabbage into a bowl and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC. Lightly grease a baking sheet and set it aside.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, add onion, garlic and cook until onion is soft.
4. Stir in coriander, cumin and cook for another minute.
5. Add shredded cabbage and cook, while stirring, for about 5 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
6. Season with salt to taste.
7. Transfer cabbage to a bowl and let it cool.
8. Stir in chickpea flour and mix well to form a dough. You may need to add water if the dough isn’t holding together.
9. Shape cabbage dough into equal-sized balls. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 25- 30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the gravy.

To Prepare The Gravy

1. Heat oil or water in a large saucepan on medium heat, add onion, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
2. Add garlic and ginger, cook for about 1 minute.
3. Stir in tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add curry powder, paprika ( add 1/4 cup chickpea flour only if nut-free), constantly stirring for about 1 minute.
5. Stir in coconut milk, water, cayenne, and salt to taste. Cover saucepan and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes; meanwhile, blend cashews with water.
7. Add cashew mixture to curry gravy and stir. Cook until thicken.
8. Turn off heat, add Cabbage Dumplings, and stir. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Delicious served with rice or potatoes.

Recipe Notes

• If you like a nut-free gravy, substitute chickpea flour for cashew. If you don’t mind, then you can use cashews to thicken the gravy.
• To make the gravy dairy-free, low in calories and fat, I used coconut milk. You may, however, substitute any other plant-based milk of your choice.
• Garnishes are completely optional; you can use roasted seeds or nuts, coconut cream swirls, Thai basil, etc. Leave them out if you don’t have any of these; it’s delicious on its own.
• You can refrigerate the leftovers in an air-tight container for 4-5 days. When you want to use it, reheat over low heat or in the microwave until thoroughly warmed.
• You can store the baked cabbage balls without gravy in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator and for a month in the freezer. Then whenever you want to eat prepare the gravy, stir in the stored cabbage balls and serve. In this way, you can save time.

Try this Cabbage Dumplings/Balls recipe for a wonderful taste experience! And, don’t forget to share your feedback with me by leaving a comment below!

Note: If you prefer nut-free gravy, use chickpea flour instead. If you don’t mind then leave the chickpea flour out of the gravy and blend cashews with water to add at the end to thicken.

More Amazing Cabbage Recipes Try these:

• Vegan Southern Fried Cabbage
• Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
• Curry Cabbage
• Roasted Cabbage Steaks
• Vegan Cabbage Soup
• Vegan Southern-Style Coleslaw
• Vegan Colcannon

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Categories

• Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
• Courses: Entrée, Main Course
• Cuisine: American

• Energy: 215 kcal / 899 kJ
• Fat: 17 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Carbs: 14 g

Cook Time

• Preparation: 15 min
• Cooking: 30 min
• Ready in: 45 min

Update Notes:This post was originally published in 2016, but was republished with new photos March 2018