If you are wondering how to cook cabbage, there are many easy methods to try. You can stir-fry it with garlic, combine it with beef or eggs, cook it with minced pork, or turn it into a comforting soup. Cabbage can also be enjoyed raw with carrots and a simple dressing.
Here are seven easy and delicious ways to cook cabbage at home.
Table of Contents
1. Stir-Fried Cabbage with Garlic
Stir-fried cabbage with garlic is one of the easiest ways to prepare this vegetable. It takes only a few minutes and makes a delicious side dish for rice, meat, or fish.
Ingredients
- 1 small head of green cabbage
- 3–4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1–2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon of fish sauce or soy sauce
- Black pepper to taste
How to Make It
Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and rinse it well. Cut the cabbage into thin strips.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the cabbage and stir-fry for several minutes. Season with salt, fish sauce or soy sauce, and black pepper.
Continue cooking until the cabbage is tender but still slightly crisp.
Serve warm as a simple side dish with rice or your favorite main course.
2. Cabbage and Minced Pork Soup
Cabbage soup with minced pork is a comforting and easy dish that works well for lunch or dinner. The cabbage becomes tender while the pork adds a savory flavor to the broth.
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cabbage
- 200 g minced pork
- 1 small onion or shallot
- 3–4 cups of water
- Green onions
- Salt
- Fish sauce
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces and finely chop the onion.
Heat a little oil in a pot and sauté the onion until fragrant. Add the minced pork and cook until it is no longer pink.
Pour in the water and bring it to a boil. Add the cabbage and cook for several minutes until tender.
Season with salt, fish sauce, and black pepper. Add chopped green onions before serving.
This simple soup is light, warm, and easy to pair with steamed rice.
3. Cabbage Rolls with Pork
Cabbage rolls are a delicious way to turn cabbage into a more filling meal. Soft cabbage leaves are wrapped around a savory pork filling and then steamed or simmered in broth.
Ingredients
- Large cabbage leaves
- 250 g minced pork
- Dried wood ear mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 shallot, minced
- Green onions
- Salt
- Fish sauce
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Separate several large cabbage leaves and blanch them briefly in boiling water. This softens the leaves and makes them easier to roll.
In a bowl, mix the minced pork with chopped mushrooms, shallot, green onions, salt, fish sauce, and black pepper.
Place a small amount of the filling in the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides inward and roll it tightly.
Place the cabbage rolls in a steamer and cook until the pork is fully cooked. You can also simmer them gently in a light broth.
Serve warm with rice or a dipping sauce.
4. Fresh Cabbage and Carrot Salad
If you prefer something fresh and crunchy, cabbage salad is an easy option. Thinly sliced cabbage combines well with carrots, herbs, and a simple sweet-and-sour dressing.
Ingredients
- Green cabbage, thinly sliced
- Carrot, julienned
- Fresh herbs
- Roasted peanuts, optional
For the dressing:
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Fresh chili, optional
How to Make It
Place the sliced cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
Mix the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl until well combined.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss everything together.
Let the salad rest for a few minutes so the flavors can blend. Add fresh herbs and roasted peanuts before serving.
This fresh cabbage salad makes a crunchy side dish for grilled meat, seafood, or rice dishes.
5. Stir-Fried Cabbage with Beef
Cabbage and beef make a delicious combination. The beef adds a rich savory flavor, while cabbage provides a fresh and slightly crunchy texture.
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cabbage
- 200 g thinly sliced beef
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 small onion
- 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Soy sauce or oyster sauce
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Slice the cabbage into thin strips and prepare the beef by cutting it into thin slices.
Heat a little oil in a large skillet or wok. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the beef and stir-fry over high heat until almost cooked. Remove the beef and set it aside.
Add the onion and cabbage to the same pan. Stir-fry until the cabbage becomes tender but remains slightly crisp.
Return the beef to the pan. Add a little soy sauce or oyster sauce and season with black pepper.
Stir everything together for another minute and serve immediately with steamed rice.
6. Cabbage and Egg Stir-Fry
Cabbage and eggs are simple ingredients that can be turned into a quick and affordable meal. This recipe is perfect when you need something easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cabbage
- 2–3 eggs
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Cooking oil
- Soy sauce or fish sauce
- Black pepper
- Green onions
How to Make It
Slice the cabbage into thin strips and beat the eggs in a bowl.
Heat a little oil in a skillet and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
Add the cabbage and stir-fry until it starts to soften.
Push the cabbage to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs into the empty space. Let the eggs cook slightly, then stir them together with the cabbage.
Season with soy sauce or fish sauce and black pepper. Add chopped green onions before serving.
Enjoy this simple dish with steamed rice for a quick lunch or dinner.
7. Cabbage Soup with Pork Meatballs
Cabbage soup with pork meatballs is another comforting way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. The tender cabbage and savory meatballs create a satisfying combination.
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cabbage
- 200 g minced pork
- 3–4 cups of water
- 1 shallot, minced
- Green onions
- Salt
- Fish sauce
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Mix the minced pork with minced shallot, green onions, salt, fish sauce, and black pepper.
Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Carefully add the meatballs and cook until they are fully cooked.
Add the chopped cabbage and simmer for several minutes until the cabbage becomes tender.
Season the soup to taste and add more green onions and black pepper before serving.
Serve the soup warm with rice or enjoy it on its own.
Other Easy Ways to Cook Cabbage
Besides the recipes above, there are many other simple ways to enjoy cabbage.
Steamed cabbage: Cut cabbage into wedges or smaller pieces and steam until tender. Serve with a little butter, olive oil, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Boiled cabbage: Add cabbage to boiling water and cook until tender. It can be served as a simple vegetable side dish or added to other meals.
Roasted cabbage: Cut cabbage into thick wedges, brush lightly with oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast until the edges become golden and slightly crisp.
Cabbage stir-fry with other vegetables: Combine cabbage with carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or other vegetables for a quick and colorful meal.
Raw cabbage: Thinly slice fresh cabbage and add it to salads, sandwiches, wraps, or slaws for extra crunch.
Tips for Cooking Cabbage
When learning how to cook cabbage, a few simple tips can help you get better results.
Choose fresh cabbage. Look for a firm head with crisp leaves and no large bruised areas.
Do not overcook it. Cabbage usually tastes best when it is tender but still has some texture.
Cut it evenly. Similar-sized pieces cook at the same rate, especially when stir-frying or boiling.
Use high heat for stir-frying. A hot skillet helps cabbage cook quickly while keeping some of its natural crunch.
Add flavorful ingredients. Garlic, onions, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, herbs, and citrus juice can all complement the mild flavor of cabbage.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to cook cabbage gives you plenty of options for creating simple and delicious meals. You can quickly stir-fry it with garlic, combine it with beef or eggs, cook it in a comforting soup, or wrap savory pork in soft cabbage leaves.
For something fresh, try a crunchy cabbage and carrot salad. For a warm and comforting meal, cabbage soup with pork or meatballs is an easy choice. And when you need a quick side dish, simple stir-fried cabbage can be ready in just a few minutes.
With so many ways to prepare it, cabbage is much more than an ordinary vegetable. Try different cooking methods and ingredients to discover your favorite way to enjoy it.
