Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (2024)

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This is the best sauteed cabbage recipe! It is the perfect quick and healthy side dish for any meal. Using only a few ingredients and taking 10 minutes of your time, you can’t go wrong with this flavorful, affordable gluten free recipe!

Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (1)

Original post: March 2019 | Updated: February 2023

Why This Recipe Works

  • One of my favorite things in the entire world is when a handful of super simple ingredients work together to create a magically delicious and versatile recipe. This sautéed cabbage recipe is one for the books!
  • A few simple ingredients come together to create the most flavorful side dish for any meal, with the absolute best flavor.
  • This simple dish only requires 10 minutes of your time, from start to finish.
  • It is a healthy recipe that will fill everyone up.

Recipe Ingredients

Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (2)

Cabbage – Find a firm head of cabbage that’s not over sized but that is heavy. Crisp leaves attached to the ball are another sign that it’s a good vegetable. Green cabbage, napa cabbage or red cabbage both work great and can be used interchangeably.

Butter – Replace with equal amounts of olive oil to make this recipe Whole30 compliant.

Garlic – Use fresh minced garlic or up to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for that big flavor.

Cayenne Pepper – This ingredient is optional, but highly recommended for a good flavor boost! The small amount called for in the recipe adds just enough zing to make the final dish sing.

Salt and black pepper – Cater these amounts to your liking and feel free to spruce up the dish even more by adding garlic powder, onion powder or other fresh or dried herbs.

How To Make Fried Cabbage Recipe

This is such an easy sauteed cabbage recipe. Follow these steps to create this simple side dish:

Step 1

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cabbage, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional). Season with salt and pepper.

Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (3)

Step 2

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cabbage turns golden brown and garlic is fragrant. This will take just a few minutes.

Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (4)

How To Make Caramelized Cabbage

When you saute green cabbage it transforms into delicious caramelized cabbage. Follow these instructions:

Step 1

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, shredded cabbage and seasonings to the hot skillet.

Step 2

Cook, stirring frequently, until it is tender and lightly browned and the garlic is fragrant (this will take 5-7 minutes).

Recipe Notes

  • Throw in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to add extra flavor.
  • Cooking cabbage is super easy and will produce one of the easiest, most delicious side dishes you’ll ever make.
  • Use 1 head green cabbage (or red) to double the batch.
  • Spice up the recipe by adding red pepper flakes, a dash or two of hot sauce or additional cayenne pepper.
  • For a meaty side, chop a few strips of bacon (use turkey bacon for a leaner option!) and add them to the pan while frying. The salty bacon will add such great flavor to the dish.
  • You may also toss cooked shredded chicken into the mix. Cook until heated through.
  • Add dried or fresh herbs of your choice to season this side dish just the way you want it. Add thyme, fresh parsley, cumin, chives, oregano or whatever your heart desires!
  • Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over the top just before serving!
Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (5)

Best Seasonings For Cabbage

I tend to stick with the simplest-is-best philosophy when it comes to seasoning vegetables. I love adding salt, pepper, garlic and cayenne pepper for an added kick.

However, there are many other spices to explore in this delicious world of ours, so here are a few other flavors that will taste great with sauteed cabbage:

  • Thyme
  • Parsley
  • Cumin
  • Ginger
  • Celery Seed
  • Red pepper flakes

Healthy Cabbage Recipes

Here is a small sampling of my favorite cabbage recipes:

  • Red Cabbage Sauerkraut
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
  • Reuben Grilled Cheese
  • Cabbage Steaks
  • Runza Casserole
  • Shrimp Tacos
  • Coleslaw
  • Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

What To Serve With Cabbage

So many main course options as well as secondary sides pair perfectly with it! If you are searching for that perfect recipe to pair it with, read on for some great ideas about what to serve with cabbage.

Included in the article are recipes for Reubens, tacos, corned beef, potatoes, lamb, pork chops and more!

How To Cut Cabbage

Using a sharp knife, remove and discard the outermost leaves and cut the very bottom of the stem off on a cutting board. Place the head of cabbage on its end where you cut and slice down the center vertically. Cut each half lengthwise.

Remove the core and stem by cutting a wedge out of each quarter. Place each cabbage quarter onto a flat portion so it is lying flat and slice 1/4-inch strips, creating shredded cabbage.

FAQ About Cabbage

Is cabbage good for you?

There are benefits to adding cabbage to your meals such as it can raise levels of beta-carotene and lutein as well is high in Vitamin C and K. One cup of shredded cabbage contains approximately 17 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Can dogs eat cabbage?

All types of cabbage are not only safe for dogs to eat, but are actually beneficial. It aids in digestion and can help to fight disease. Be warned, however, that cabbage can produce gas, so feed it to your dog in small quantities for this reason.

Can cabbage be eaten uncooked?

Yes, cabbage can be eaten raw, it can be cooked, added to stir fries and soups. You will find it added to salads and it’s also fermented to make sauerkraut.

Can cabbage be frozen?

You can freeze cabbage for 1-2 months when stored in an airtight container. However, if you want it to last longer in your freezer, your best bet is to blanch it first, giving it a longer life in the freezer.

Delicious Healthy Sides in 30 Minutes or Less

Putting together a vegetable side for your meal should be easy and delicious. Mix up your go-to vegetable with one of these flavorful options!

  • Best Roasted Vegetables Recipe
  • Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe
  • Easy Sautéed Zucchini and Mushrooms Recipe
  • Coleslaw With Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe

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Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (10)

Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe

This is the best sautéed cabbage recipe you'll find! It is the perfect quick and delicious side dish for any meal. Using only a few ingredients and taking 10 minutes of your time, you can't go wrong with this super flavorful and affordable recipe!

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 89kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 head cabbage shredded, red or green
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cabbage, garlic, cayenne pepper (if using), salt and pepper.

  • Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cabbage has softened and garlic is fragrant. Serve warm!

Notes

  • Throw in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to add extra flavor.
  • Cooking cabbage is super easy and will produce one of the easiest, most delicious side dishes you’ll ever make.
  • Use 1 head green cabbage (or red) to double the batch.
  • Spice up the recipe by adding red pepper flakes, a dash or two of hot sauce or additional cayenne pepper.
  • For a meaty side, chop a few strips of bacon (use turkey bacon for a leaner option!) and add them to the pan while frying. The salty bacon will add such great flavor to the dish.
  • Add dried or fresh herbs of your choice to season this side dish just the way you want it. Add thyme, fresh parsley, cumin, chives, oregano or whatever your heart desires!
  • Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over the top just before serving!

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›

Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage.

How do you cook cabbage without it getting mushy? ›

How do you cook cabbage without it getting mushy? Roasting cabbage is a great way to cook the vegetable and keep it crispy. Unlike boiling cabbage, which adds water, roasting is a dry heat technique. Another way to avoid mushy cabbage is to undercook, rather than overcook, cabbage.

What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long.

How to avoid cabbage gas? ›

One way to cut down on some of the gas-producing effects is to choose cooked cabbage over raw. “Generally speaking, cooking can help reduce this effect by 'softening' the fiber, making it a little bit easier on the digestive system,” explains Cording.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

How long should I boil cabbage for? ›

Step 1Cut cabbage into wedges or slice it thin. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add cabbage. (It's OK to crowd the pot because the cabbage will shrink!) Step 2Boil until tender, about 5 minutes for shredded cabbage and 10 minutes for wedges.

Do you need to wash cabbage? ›

Cabbage. The outer layer isn't going to be eaten—the leaves are tougher and undesirable to many—so why wash cabbage? There's a good reason: Worms or other insects could be inside the cabbage, so to be safe, follow these steps for cleaning and washing it.

Should you remove the outer leaves of cabbage before cooking? ›

Though these recipes typically call for the softer inner leaves of cabbage, the outer leaves can be used as well, as they will have ample time to cook and soften. Remove any tough veins, chop the leaves finely, and toss them into the long-cooked dishes, where they'll tenderize nicely as they simmer on the stove.

Should you salt cabbage before cooking? ›

For the crunchiest coleslaw, always salt the cabbage first.

Why is my cabbage bitter after cooking? ›

When plant cells are broken, the oils are separated from the sugar molecules by an enzyme and released as a very bitter compound. It's a clever defense mechanism for the cabbage plant to discourage hungry foragers.

Can you overcook cabbage? ›

The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it.

Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

What does pouring salt into a cabbage do? ›

To ferment vegetables, such as cabbage, we take advantage of these two qualities – it's our golden ticket to fermentation! First, we add enough salt to make it difficult for competing microorganisms to survive. The salt then draws moisture out of the cabbage's cells through osmosis, forming a salty brine.

What does cooked cabbage do to your stomach? ›

It also keeps you regular, and it could help lower your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and control your blood sugar. Cabbage also has nutrients that keep the lining of your stomach and intestines strong. Its juice also can help stomach ulcers heal.

What is the disadvantage of using baking soda to vegetables? ›

This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C.

Is boiled cabbage and vinegar good for you? ›

Chockful of nutrients

Red cabbage offers another bonus: It's rich in natural pigments called anthocyanins, which new research suggests may help boost insulin production and lower blood sugar levels. Finally, cabbage is often prepared with vinegar, which can help lower the GL of your whole meal.

Will adding vinegar to cabbage during cooking make it turn blue? ›

As long as they are acidic they stay red, but when they become non-acidic they turn blue. When you sauté red cabbage, the acids evaporate off and it can turn blue. All you have to do is add lemon juice or vinegar to bring back the bright red color.

Why wash cabbage with vinegar? ›

An old trick to use is to leave the cabbage lightly doused in vinegar water for a couple of minutes before proceeding to wash the cabbage with water. Usually between two or four minutes. Vinegar kills some types of bacteria and helps killing mold and mildew that could have grown on the cabbage.

What happens when you mix vinegar and cabbage juice? ›

The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid).

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