Garlic Shrimp & Turkey Sausage Cabbage Cups

This is a fresh, hearty spin on shrimp and sausage that swaps out the usual rice or pasta for tender roasted cabbage cups. Cajun-spiced shrimp, smoky turkey sausage, and sweet peppers get piled into caramelized cabbage bowls, then finished with buttery pan juices. It’s bold, satisfying, and a little different from your typical weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A low-carb, high-flavor twist. Roasted cabbage cups stand in for the usual grain base, soaking up all the Cajun butter flavor.
• Bold, smoky, and a little spicy. Cajun seasoning, smoked turkey sausage, and garlic butter bring serious depth.
• Naturally beautiful presentation. The cabbage cups make for an eye-catching, edible bowl straight out of the oven.
• A complete meal in one dish. Protein, vegetables, and flavor all come together in a single pan.

Ingredients

For the Cups

• 2 small to medium heads green cabbage
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Filling

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
• 12 oz smoked turkey sausage, sliced into rounds
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning
• ½ cup chicken broth, for the baking dish

How to Make Garlic Shrimp & Turkey Sausage Cabbage Cups

1. Prep the cabbage cups. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the cabbage heads in half. Carefully core and hollow out the center, leaving a sturdy bowl shell about ½ inch thick.

2. Season the cabbage. Brush the cabbage cups inside and out with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper. Place them in a baking dish.

3. Roast the cups. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake the empty cabbage cups for 20 to 25 minutes, until they start to soften and brown around the edges.

4. Brown the turkey sausage. While the cabbage roasts, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked turkey sausage and sear until browned. Remove and set aside.

5. Cook the vegetables. In the same skillet, add the onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

6. Add the shrimp. Add the shrimp, butter, and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the shrimp turn pink. Toss the turkey sausage back into the skillet.

7. Stuff and finish. Remove the cabbage cups from the oven. Spoon the shrimp and turkey sausage mixture generously into each cabbage cup. Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is sizzling.

8. Serve hot. Drizzle with the buttery pan juices and serve hot.

Tips for the Best Cabbage Cups

• Leave the cabbage walls sturdy. About ½ inch thick keeps the cups intact and able to hold the filling without falling apart.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp in the skillet. They’ll continue cooking briefly in the oven, so pulling them at just-pink prevents rubbery shrimp.
• Use the broth in the pan. It keeps the cabbage from drying out while roasting and adds flavor to those pan juices.
• Let the pan juices do the work. A generous drizzle over the finished cups ties the whole dish together.

What to Serve with Garlic Shrimp & Turkey Sausage Cabbage Cups

This dish is filling enough to stand on its own, but a side of crusty bread or a simple rice pilaf works well if you want to round out the meal further.

Frequently Asked Questions