Best Sauteed Cabbage Recipe (2024)

Published: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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

How do you keep cabbage crisp when cooking? ›

**Steaming**: Steaming cabbage preserves most of its nutrients and helps maintain its texture. Steam the cabbage until it is tender but still slightly crisp, usually for about 5-7 minutes. 2. **Sautéing**: Sautéing cabbage in a little oil over medium heat cooks it quickly while retaining its nutrients and flavor.

Why do you put baking soda in 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. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

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

Red cabbages can be stored in a cool, dark place for a week to ten days. Before cooking, remove any tired or discoloured leaves and always cook red cabbage with a little vinegar. This preserves the beautiful purple colour – without it, the cabbage will turn blue!

How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy? ›

Giving sliced wedges of cabbage a quick roasting session in the oven will help them to caramelize and get nice and crispy. Instead of getting soggy and overcooked, the cabbage will have a nice crisp texture and a more complex flavor than raw cabbage. You can also infuse cabbage with tons of flavor by braising it.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

Do you cover cabbage with water when cooking? ›

Put the cabbage leaves or shredded cabbage in a large pan and cover halfway with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 3-5 mins or until tender. This is often followed by blanching – see the next point.

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.

Can you cook cabbage too long? ›

Boiled cabbage is notoriously smelly and steaming is often thought of as a less aromatic way to cook the vegetable. However, the pungent smell is actually the result of overcooking. Boil it just until tender, and you won't have a stinky kitchen.

How long to soak cabbage in baking soda? ›

Submerge the fruit or vegetables in the baking soda water. Let soak for 12 to 15 minutes. The time will help the baking soda do its job. Swish the produce around in the water or push it down several times to ensure all sides of the produce is being cleaned.

Why is my cabbage bitter after cooking? ›

Overcooking cabbage releases sulfur compounds that can give it a bitter taste. Another possible reason is that the cabbage was not fresh.

Why does my cabbage taste bland? ›

Harvesting the cabbage when young will be more tender and sweeter. Also, when cooking the cabbage don't omit salt as this tends to mellow bitter flavours in greens. I find that overcooking kills the natural sweetness of greens, I always eat them at most 'aldente' or raw.

How do you get the gas out of cabbage? ›

To reduce the likelihood of experiencing gas after eating cabbage, consider cooking it thoroughly. This can help break down the fibers and make it easier to digest. Additionally, try adding caraway seeds or fennel seeds to your cabbage dishes, as these spices are known to help reduce gas.

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

Cabbage and onions contain sulfur-based compounds and enzymes that are kept apart — and nonreactive — in separate cells when the plants are whole. But when you cut the vegetables, the compounds and enzymes mix, creating pungent, bitter and foul-smelling compounds that repel insects (and people!).

What does salt do to cabbage? ›

Toss 1 head of prepared cabbage with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Let it sit. Place salted cabbage in a colander over a bowl for 1 to 2 hours. The salt pulls moisture out of the cabbage, seasons it, and leaves you with a super-crunchy texture that isn't raw or tough-tasting.

How do you keep shredded cabbage crispy? ›

How to store cabbage after it is cut
  1. Either wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, in a large plastic bag, or in an air-tight container in your crisper. This will help to lock in your cabbage's natural moisture and reduce oxidation.
  2. Cut cabbage should be used in 2-3 days.
Apr 7, 2022

How do you keep cooked vegetables crisp? ›

Your vegetables are about to get even crispier with this simple tip. The next time you roast vegetables, add some cornstarch. Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower.

How do you keep vegetables crisp when cooking? ›

What are some tips for cooking veggies so they aren't rubbery? I like to boil them for a few minutes, until they are ALMOST done, then take them out of the hot water, dump them into a big bowl of ice water, then return them to the boiling water for maybe one minute. Makes them crisp and not rubbery or floppy!

Why is my cabbage soggy? ›

Not salting cabbage destined for slaw

Cabbage contains a high amount of water, and salting helps draw out some of this moisture from the cabbage leaves. This step can prevent your slaw from becoming too watery or soggy once you add the dressing. Excess moisture can dilute the flavors and make the slaw less appealing.

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