Reuben Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Introduction
Reuben cabbage rolls offer a creative twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, combining tender cabbage leaves with flavorful corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. This recipe provides a low-carb, satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients
- 2 heads of cabbage
- 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
- ½ pound deli-sliced corned beef or pastrami
- 1 cup sauerkraut
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup Thousand Island dressing (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a rolling boil. Carefully cut away the cores from the cabbage heads and submerge them in the boiling water. Cover and boil for 10 minutes, or until the cabbage softens enough to remove individual leaves easily. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Once cool enough to handle, gently peel off 16 large leaves from the cabbage. Pat each leaf dry with a paper towel and trim the thick center stem with a paring knife. Use smaller leftover leaves to patch any tears as needed.
- Step 3: While cabbage is boiling, cook the riced cauliflower according to package instructions. Mince the corned beef or pastrami.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked cauliflower rice, minced corned beef, sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Step 5: To assemble each roll, lay a cabbage leaf with the bottom facing you. Place about ¼ cup of filling in the center. Fold the left side over the filling, then fold the right side. Finally, fold the bottom of the leaf up and roll away from you to enclose the filling completely.
- Step 6: To heat in the air fryer, arrange rolls in a single layer in the basket. Air fry at 350°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Step 7: To heat in the oven, preheat to 350°F. Place rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes or until warmed.
- Step 8: Serve hot alongside Thousand Island dressing for dipping. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Substitute turkey pastrami for a leaner option or use rye bread crumbs mixed into the filling for added texture.
- Patch small tears in cabbage leaves with the reserved smaller leaves to keep rolls intact during cooking.
- Add caraway seeds to the filling for a classic Reuben flavor twist.
- Serve with homemade Thousand Island dressing by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and a splash of vinegar.
Storage
Store leftover cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the rolls before cooking and bake or air fry from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cabbage instead of frozen riced cauliflower in the filling?
Yes, you can finely chop fresh cabbage as a substitute, but riced cauliflower provides a lighter texture and helps reduce carbs.
What can I use instead of Thousand Island dressing?
Russian dressing, a simple mix of ketchup and mayonnaise, or even mustard can work well as an alternative dip for these rolls.
PrintReuben Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Reuben Cabbage Rolls are a delicious low-carb twist on the classic Reuben sandwich. Tender cabbage leaves are filled with a savory mix of corned beef, sauerkraut, riced cauliflower, and Swiss cheese, then rolled up and cooked to perfection. These hearty cabbage rolls can be quickly air-fried or baked in the oven, making them an easy and satisfying meal for lunch or dinner, served with thousand island dressing for dipping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 cabbage rolls 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Cabbage Leaves
- 2 heads of cabbage
Filling
- 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
- ½ pound deli-sliced corned beef or pastrami, minced
- 1 cup sauerkraut
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For Serving
- ½ cup thousand island dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a rolling boil. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut away the cores from both cabbage heads. Place the cored cabbage heads into the boiling water, cover, and boil for 10 minutes or until the cabbage is tender enough to easily peel off individual leaves. Remove from the pot and set aside to cool.
- Separate and Trim Leaves: Once cool enough to handle, gently pat each cabbage leaf dry with paper towels. Peel away 16 large leaves carefully, then use a paring knife to trim down the thick center stem on each leaf to make rolling easier. Use any smaller leftover leaves to patch tears if needed.
- Prepare the Filling: While the cabbage is boiling, cook the riced cauliflower according to package instructions. Mince the deli-sliced corned beef. In a large bowl, combine cooked cauliflower rice, minced corned beef, sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, salt, and pepper, mixing thoroughly.
- Assemble the Rolls: Lay a cabbage leaf flat with the bottom stem facing you. Place about ¼ cup of the filling in the center of the leaf. Fold the left side over the filling, then the right side, and finally fold the bottom edge up and begin rolling away from you, enclosing the filling completely in a neat roll.
- Heat in the Air Fryer: Working in batches, arrange the cabbage rolls in a single even layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until the rolls are heated through.
- Heat in the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the cabbage rolls in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the warm cabbage rolls alongside the thousand island dressing for dipping and enjoy this flavorful low-carb take on a classic Reuben sandwich!
Notes
- The thick center stem of each cabbage leaf should be trimmed to prevent tearing and make rolling easier.
- You can substitute deli pastrami for corned beef depending on your preference.
- If you do not have an air fryer, baking in the oven works equally well.
- Use fresh sauerkraut or well-drained canned sauerkraut to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
- Leftover smaller cabbage leaves can be used to patch tears in larger leaves.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before assembling the rolls.
- These rolls can be reheated in the air fryer or oven for a quick meal.
Keywords: Reuben Cabbage Rolls, low-carb recipe, corned beef recipe, cabbage roll recipe, air fryer cabbage rolls, keto Reuben, sauerkraut recipe

