How to make fried cabbage the easy way! This is grandmas simple cabbage recipe that’s pan fried and caramelized to deliciousness! It’s vegetarian (no bacon), bursting with flavors, and made with healthy ingredients! Serve as a main dish or side, and get children to even love this cabbage dish!
Fried Cabbage isn’t only for Southern or Irish folks! Ukrainian’s can eat this cabbage stuffed in dough (Piroshki) or alone as a meal! Serve with hearty whole wheat bread and you have easy lunch or dinner! It also makes a great side with hearty mashed potatoes, but is a healthy recipe to add to your collection of cabbage recipes!
Fried Cabbage Recipe
We can eat cabbage! From cabbage rolls to sauerkraut and cabbage salads we can cook it and prepare it various of ways. Cabbage is the “not so expensive” vegetable that’s low in calories and high in fiber-totally healthy! So what makes this cabbage stir fry recipe amazing? Well, with a few ingredients you can make a very tasty cabbage dish! Not to mention how much quicker it is to make compared to my other fried cabbage recipe.
Shredded cabbage is pan fried with onions and carrots to caramelization. That means no sugar is needed to develop that browned flavorful hue! The tomato sauce adds acidity and a beautiful orange hue that gets cooked down with the cabbage. And if you want to make it heartier add some bacon pieces, chicken, beef, or sausage to the cabbage stir fry! Whether you like it meaty or Vegan the amount of grease works the same. I like to use my deep non-stick pan to ensure all that cabbage fits, so use a pot if you have to!
The vegetables work amazing together and its fascinating how a simple onion and carrot can add so much flavor! I used my homemade marinara sauce (any tomato will work) and simple spices to cook the cabbage! Once everything is sautéing cover the pan and just let it caramelize over low heat. The cabbage will cook down and create a superb dish that you’ll want seconds. Give this recipe a chance as it’s a very enjoyable cabbage dish for all to try!
FAQ:
What is Fried Cabbage?
Cabbage has many health benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants and low in calories and high in fiber (good for the digestive system.) Cabbage recipes are made around the world and every Region has its own way of preparing cabbage. Fried cabbage is cooking technique to cook down the rather firm green vegetable.
Irish folks like it accompanied with corned beef and Southern folks like it pan-fried with bacon. Russian’s and Ukrainian’s prefer cabbage more caramelized when pan frying for a tastier and savory cabbage dish.
- Frugal- making cabbage can go a long way! A whole head can make plenty!
- Vegetarian- gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Easy Recipe– simple ingredients!
- Make-ahead for meal prep throughout out the week or future meals. Frying Cabbage in advance is also a smart way to have get ahead for meal preps or when using as a filling for piroshki, plus it reheats wonderfully!
- Freezer friendly- have too much cabbage leftover? Freeze the leftovers in smaller sized portions and take out as needed for fillings or a quick side.
- Versatile-incorporate fried cabbage into your diet! Serve it as a vegetable side or make it into a main dish! It’s tasty with mashed potatoes, whole wheat bread or use as a filling for bun turnovers (piroshki)!
Ingredients Needed?
Making fried cabbage at home is easy and can go a long way!
- cabbage head- I used a 4 lb head of cabbage this is moderately a medium-sized or large head.
- carrot- use 3 large or 4 smaller sized carrots.
- onion- 2 onions.
- water- one cup of liquid is needed to dilute the tomato sauce and cook the cabbage later in frying.
- Tomato Sauce- is acidic and gives tons of flavor to the cabbage! I used it with an addition of vinegar to make things zestier! But it cooks down with the cabbage so no overpowering flavors. Regular tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, or even ketchup can be used!
- spices- like garlic salt, bay leaves, and lemon pepper are used along with oil to enhance the cabbage and prevent it from sticking.
How To Pan Fry Cabbage:
- Cut the cabbage in half the long way with the core intact : shred each half by cutting thin slices down the cabbage piece. A mandoline or specific cabbage slicer can be used to do this step.
- Prepare the veggies: by grating the carrots and dicing the onions.
- Heat the oil: over medium heat, in a large deep skillet or pot.
- Add: the onions and carrots and cook for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile: dilute the tomato sauce with water and vinegar. Set aside.
- Add the cabbage to the stir fry: along with the diluted tomato mixture. Stir in the remaining spices and cook for 15 minutes covered, stirring occasionally. If some liquid still remains, simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
Cook’s Tip: sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper for additional robust!
How to Freeze Fried Cabbage?
You can freeze fried cabbage like you would a stir-fry blend of broccoli! Some vegetables freeze better than others. Since this fried cabbage is braised and cooked down lots of the liquid has evaporated. To reheat, cook on the skillet for any excess liquid to evaporate after the freezer.
- Cool completely. This helps minimize the vapor from condensation and can help with frost build up.
- Divide fried cabbage into 2 cup portions and place into sandwich bags.
- Freeze for up-to 3 months or deep freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheat- thaw and reheat on the skillet for any liquid to evaporate. Use in fillings for bun turnovers or as a hot side or main dish.
Is Cabbage Gluten-Free?
Yes, cabbage is a vegetable and totally gluten-free, vegan-friendly and super healthy!
How To Store Fried Cabbage?
Leftovers are just as good! Cool completely before storing in the fridge or freezing. This helps with fewer condensation and frost issues. Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze any leftovers for as long as 6 months if deep freezing.
To Reheat- reheat on the skillet for any liquid to evaporate. Use in fillings for bun turnovers or as a hot side or main dish.
Add-ins or Variations:
This cabbage recipe is simple and easy to make! Although I added some common spice blends like garlic salt or lemon pepper, spices like salt and pepper cane used. Here are some ways to flavor your cabbage:
- Bacon: Fry the bacon first to use the fat. Remove bacon and add towards the end. Omit the oil called for if using bacon grease.
- Broth: use it instead of water.
- Pork: use a cut marbled with fat for extra flavor.
- Cayenne: add some additional heat by adding jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
- Sausage- slice your favorite kielbasa or sausage when pan frying the vegetables!
- Chicken- sauté diced chicken with the vegetables for extra protein!
- Mushrooms- This is my mother-in-laws recipe that is originally with mushrooms. Check out her version of Fried Cabbage with Mushrooms here.
How to Serve Fried Cabbage?
We love cabbage! Even our children eat it without any problems!
- Fill it into dough turnovers (piroshki.)
- Mash potatoes and serve this cabbage dish as a side!
- Add it into hot dogs or bratwursts!
- Serve it as a main dish with a side of hearty bread and incorporate a meat add-in for a filling meal.
- Make a soup from it adding some grains!
Can I use Different Cabbage?
I strictly use green cabbage for frying. To use different cabbages the spices may need to be adjusted per liking. For instance, napa cabbage goes well with soy sauce so season accordingly. Purple cabbage is great with some zing from vinegar and etc..
Tools Needed:
Here are some helpful tools to cook cabbage on the stovetop:
- Deep Frying Pan- this one is 6.5 quarts!
- Freezer Bags- to freeze leftovers!
- Measuring cup- used not only to measure the water but scoop the cooked cabbage into freezer bags easily!
BEST Cooking Tips For Cooking Cabbage:
- Slice cabbage head in half lengthwise with the core intact. Slice each half using a sharp knife to make shredded slices.
- Add the liquid with the cabbage to cook down the massive amount!
- Vinegar adds great flavor!
- Caramelize the cabbage cooking low and slow. This gives great flavor without the need of sugar!
More Cabbage Recipes To Try:
- Moldovan Cabbage Rolls (Sarmale)
- Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Cabbage Salad with Cucumbers
- Cabbage Belyashi
- Creamy Bologna Cabbage Salad
- How To Make Sauerkraut
How To Make Fried Cabbage:
Simple Fried Cabbage
Equipment
- 6-quart frying pan
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 green cabbage (large head about 4 lbs)
- 2 onions
- 3 carrots (large)
- 1/3 cup Marinara sauce** diluted with 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp white distilled vinegar
- 1 tbsp (heaping) garlic salt
- 1 tbsp (heaping) lemon pepper
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 6 bay leaves
Instructions
Instructions:
- Cut the cabbage in half lengthwise with the core intact : thinly slice each half by cutting thin slices down the cabbage piece. A mandoline or specific cabbage slicer can be used to do this step.
- Prepare the veggies: by grating the carrots and coarsely chopping the onions.
- Heat the oil: over medium heat, in a large deep skillet or pot.
- Add: the onions and carrots and cook for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile: dilute the tomato sauce with water and vinegar. Set aside.
- Add the cabbage to the stir fry: along with the diluted tomato mixture. Stir in the remaining spices and cook for 15-20 minutes covered, stirring occasionally. If some liquid still remains, simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
Notes
- **Tomato Sauce: any tomato product will work such as marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, or even ketchup.