Sautéed Cabbage Recipe: How to Sauté Cabbage

Cabbage is a leafy plant with a fibrous core and crunchy texture; it’s closely related to broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. Red cabbage (or purple cabbage), white cabbage (or green cabbage), and savoy cabbage are the three main types of cabbage. Napa cabbage, sometimes known as Chinese cabbage, is a different species.

Cabbage is a versatile vegetable and appears in many easy recipes for appetizers, side dishes, and main dishes, including coleslaw, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, cabbage soup, and various stews. It pairs well with dense proteins, such as corned beef, ground beef, and pork chops. Raw cabbage is naturally vegan and a source of calcium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Sautéeing cabbage—cooking cabbage at a high temperature in a small amount of oil—brings out the food’s natural sweetness and extra flavor. Here are some ways you can serve sautéed cabbage:

• Mix the cabbage with dressing for a slaw. Traditional cabbage slaw, also known as coleslaw, is shredded cabbage with a creamy dressing. Sauté cabbage to give it more flavor, then toss it with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Use the slaw as a topping for pulled pork or fried chicken sandwiches.
• Serve sautéed cabbage as a side dish to corned beef. Cabbage often accompanies corned beef, an especially popular dish around St. Patrick’s Day. Recipes typically call for the cabbage to boil while the corned beef cooks in the oven; however, you can instead sauté the cabbage for a crispy texture and sweeter flavor.
• Top pierogi with caramelized onions and sautéed cabbage. Along with potatoes and cheese, cabbage is a common filling for pierogi (Polish dumplings). Serve sautéed cabbage with caramelized onions and sour cream over the pierogis. Make it a complete meal by adding kielbasa (Polish sausage) and rye bread.
• Toss sautéed cabbage with vegetables and rice. Make a stir-fry with sautéed cabbage, onions, red peppers, and rice. Season the mixture with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and other savory Asian flavors. Add chicken, ground meat, or shrimp to bulk up the stir-fry.