Sautéed cabbage is a surprisingly flavorful side dish. Thinly sliced cabbage is combined with tomato paste, carrots, and onions, and then caramelized to a golden brown perfection. It's delicious and I assure you, you'll be coming back for seconds.
Cabbage recipes are readers' favorite on this blog, so try this ground chicken and cabbage and cabbage steaks next!
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Ingredients
- Cabbage - green cabbage is preferred. Other cabbage varieties like red cabbage, savoy cabbage, or napa cabbage, as well as shredded Brussels sprouts, can be a good substitute. Adjust the cooking time slightly for napa cabbage.
- Onion - for extra flavor and sweetness.
- Carrots - for sweetness and color.
- Sugar - it enhances the overall flavor but if you can't have sugar, just leave it out. It will still taste good.
- Oil - use good quality olive oil or your preferred cooking oil.
- Tomato paste - my favorite flavor enhancer, comes in a tube.
- Water - for perfectly sauteed cabbage we need water or use vegetable or meat broth for extra flavor.
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
Instructions
STEP 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Then, add the carrots and saute for an additional 3 minutes.
STEP 3: Next, add the cabbage and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
STEP 3: Push the cabbage to the edges of the skillet to create a well in the middle. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it begins to caramelize.
Then, sprinkle in salt, pepper, and sugar, stirring everything together.
STEP 4: Pour in water and reduce the heat to low.
Braise the cabbage mixture for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cover the skillet with a lid during cooking.
SERVE! Once done, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy your flavorful sauteed cabbage dish!
Tips For The Best Sauteed Cabbage
- Thinly slice the cabbage for even cooking and easier eating. Use a large cutting board and a sharp knife for slicing.
- It's hard to overcook the cabbage, but aim for at least 15 minutes for desired softness. Different types vary in cooking time; white cabbage cooks faster.
- For extra flavor, consider adding butter (or ghee) or fresh minced garlic towards the end of cooking.
- Cabbage benefits from acidity. Just ½ tablespoon will elevate this sautéed cabbage and add vibrancy. For a fun experiment, taste it before and after adding the acid.
What To Serve With Sauteed Cabbage
- Make it a full meal and serve sauteed cabbage topped with grilled chicken, baked trout, meatballs or salmon.
- Smoked sausage
- We love to use this cabbage in pierogi filling or wraps!
Storing Leftover Sauteed Cabbage
- To Store. Transfer the dish into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat On Stovetop: Reheat low and slow for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
- To Reheat In Microwave: Heat for 1-2 minutes. Both methods are suitable for reheating.
More Delicious Cabbage Recipes To Try
For all dinners, try our Recipe Index.
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Recipe
Sauteed Cabbage Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cup cabbage, shredded
- ⅓ cup carrot, grated
- 2 tablespoon onion, diced
- 1 ½ tablespoon cooking oil, I used olive oil
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste, tubular
- ½ teaspoon sugar, optional
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- parsley for serving, or fresh dill
- sour cream for serving, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add the carrots and saute for an additional 3 minutes. Next, add the cabbage and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Push the cabbage to the edges of the skillet to create a well in the middle. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it begins to caramelize. Then, sprinkle in salt, pepper, and sugar, stirring everything together.
- Pour in water and reduce the heat to low. Braise the mixture for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cover the skillet with a lid during cooking.
- Once done, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy your flavorful sauteed cabbage dish!
NOTES
- To Store. Transfer the dish into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Reheat. Stovetop: Reheat low and slow for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
- Microwave: Heat for 1-2 minutes. Both methods are suitable for reheating.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
enjoy perfectly braised cabbage for a tasty side or a meal on its own!
Ann
I always forget how much I love cabbage. Thanks for this recipe!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
enjoy! Such an easy way to enjoy this veggie!
Sky
What a fantastic cabbage recipe! Great flavor and very easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
happy you liked it, enjoy!
Lima Ekram
Just tried it - it was so good! I was also surprised at how easy it was to make.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you!
Gianne
I loved this! It's such a simple and delicious dish. The cabbage becomes tender and flavorful, and it's the perfect side for any meal. I could eat it every day!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
it's so easy and always winner! thank you!
Ned
The caramelization and flavor turned out amazing. I loved serving this on a corned beef sandwich. Thank you so much!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
sounds delicious! thank you!