This easy sauteed cabbage recipe 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!
Original post: March 2019 | Updated: March 2022
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!
I mean, who ever thinks of this simple ingredients as a deliciously flavorful food?
When you make it using butter, garlic and seasonings? It is irresistibly delicious, super easy and it goes perfectly with any meal.
Recipe Ingredients
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 or red varieties work great and can be used interchangeably.
Butter – Replace with equal amounts of olive oil to make this recipe Whole30 compliant.
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 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.
Watch This Web Story About Caramelized Cabbage
Just a couple ingredients and 10 minutes, you’ll have a healthy, delcious side dish of sauteed cabbage that everyone will love!
How To Make Sauteed Cabbage
This delicious fried cabbage recipe is so easy to make as a simple side dish to any meal! Follow these simple steps:
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.
Step 2
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is starting to brown and garlic is fragrant. This will take just a few minutes.
Serve warm! THAT’S IT, folks!
How To Caramelize Cabbage
When you saute green cabbage it transforms into delicious caramelized cabbage. Follow these instructions, friends!
Step 1
Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, shredded cabbage and seasonings.
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
- Replace all or a portion of the green cabbage with red cabbage.
- Throw in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to add a tangy flavor.
- Replace all or a portion of the butter with olive oil if desired.
- 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.
- Add herbs of your choice to season this side dish just the way you want it. Add thyme, parsley, cumin, chives, oregano or whatever your heart desires!
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
Recipes To Make Using This Ingredient
Cabbage is SO SIMPLE yet so deliciously versatile! There’s a variety of yummy dishes that it tastes absolutely delicious with, including Red Cabbage Sauerkraut, Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup, Reuben Grilled Cheese and well, the simple cabbage side you find here!
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 is recipes for Reuben sandwiches, tacos, corned beef, potatoes, lamb, pork chops and more!
How To Cut Cabbage
Remove and discard the outermost leaves and cut the very bottom of the stem off. 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
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.
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.
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.
You can freeze cabbage for 1-2 months. 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!
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Sauteed Cabbage Recipe
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
- Replace all or a portion of the green cabbage with red cabbage.
- Throw in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to add a tangy flavor.
- Replace all or a portion of the butter with olive oil if desired.
- 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.
- Add herbs of your choice to season this side dish just the way you want it. Add thyme, parsley, cumin, chives, oregano or whatever your heart desires!
This was a super simple recipe, and perfect for my family that likes a quick cabbage side.
So glad it was enjoyed Taryn!
I, too, add shredded carrots plus a teaspoon or so of sugar.
Yay, glad it was enjoyed! Carrots are perfect addition.
Love, Love, Love this cabbage recipe! It will be a staple in my house; thank you for sharing!
That’s wonderful to hear! You’re very welcome.
I tried this last night for dinner and it was good..:my husband loved it! I will be making this again. Thank you for sharing!!
That’s great to hear!
I made this tonight with just the calorie free butter flavor cooking spray, garlic and salt and pepper and it was so so good. Two thumbs up. I will be making this probably nightly!!!
Yes, those sound like perfect changes for some! So many recipes can be tweaked for a family – thanks for sharing!
So simple, but so much tasty goodness! Why have I not done thus before? Will definitely become a new go to side dish! I’m so glad I had a half a head of cabbage and looked on Pinterest for something simple to do with it. Thank you! (I also like some of the suggestions of sesame oil and cumin and ghee….can’t wait to try them all!) ?
Try adding cumin to taste!
Even better!!!
Cumin, brilliant! Thanks for the recommendation!
Megan
Hmm, sesame oil, I’ll have to try that and see the difference. I think it would be good with kielbasa added.
It’s great, I also add a couple of potatoes, cooked & I quarter them. Let them finish cooking in the skillet with the polish sausage & cooked cabbage & you’ve got a great 1 skillet meal. I just precook my potatoes a little in the microwave 1st, add to my skillet to absorb the flavors. Delicious.
Thank you for sharing that version. Sounds great!
I do it in homemade Ghee . . . soooo decadent.
That sounds delicious!!
Megan
I make this often. Instead of butter, I use some sesame oil. I just love sesame oil and it gives it just a slightly different tast
Hi Katy! I LOVE that you use sesame oil. Doing this next time! Thanks for the great idea!
Megan
We love this side dish..
Had it last night with slow cooker boneless pork ribs.. Delicious combination..
I had not use cayenne pepper before.. Great flavor addition..
What I do use every time is bacon… Bacon makes everything better… ;o)
You are so right. Bacon does make everything better! Great idea to add it here!
Megan
i have used coleslaw to do this…already to go shredded with carrots
Hi Ashley! Served over grilled chicken would be SO GOOD! Yum!
Megan
I love sauteed cabbage! I actually eat it very often with a nice piece of grilled chicken served over it. I need to try this recipe next time. Love the addition of the cayenne pepper!
I do the same minus the cayenne pepper but sometimes I shred up some carrots for some
Color:)