How to Cook Cabbage (2024)

Cabbage is one of nature's perfect foods. It's highly nutritious, inexpensive, long-lived, easily preserved, and rich in healthy phytochemicals. Cabbage isn't flashy like its cousin kale — kickin' it in trendy smoothies and such. It goes about its business humbly; the business of being an incredibly versatile ingredient, shape-shifting in flavor and texture in countless dishes. Yes, cabbage sizzles in stir-fries; simmers in soups, stews, and braises; adds healthy crunch to salads; and does wonders for casseroles, gratins, and meat pies — cabbage does it all, and for a bargain price.

The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it. Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

How to Cook Cabbage on the Stove

Cabbage can be cooked on the stovetop a few different ways: braising, sautéing, and boiling. All of these cooking methods are quite simple — and all are incredibly well suited to cabbage's hearty nature.

How to Cook Cabbage (1)

How to Braise Cabbage

  1. Give thin slices of cabbage a quick sauté (just a couple minutes will do), then salt, and add liquid (e.g., wine, water, vinegar, and broth).
  2. Cook until the liquid evaporates and the cabbage is nice and tender — check after about 5 minutes. If your cabbage isn't quite tender enough, add a splash more liquid and cook for a few additional minutes.

Favorite Braised Cabbage Recipes:

How to Sauté Cabbage

  1. Heat oil, butter, or bacon fat over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chopped or shredded cabbage with a couple pinches of salt, and cook until tender and crisp — about 5 minutes is all it takes. If you like, sauté with onions and a little garlic.

Favorite Sautéed Cabbage Recipes:

How to Boil Cabbage.

  1. Fill a large pot with half an inch of salted water or broth. Bring to a boil.
  2. Add cabbage wedges. Cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Turn the cabbage and simmer another 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Pour off the water and turn the heat to low. Cook until the remaining moisture evaporates.
  5. Add melted butter or oil and toss to coat.

How to Cook Cabbage in the Slow Cooker

Here's a great tip for how to cook cabbage in the slow cooker: Add your cabbage toward the end of the cooking time. Let the roast slow cook the day away, then swoop in and add your chopped or shredded cabbage with 30 minutes to an hour remaining. The cabbage doesn't need all day to cook; adding it at the end will keep it from getting overcooked.

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Favorite Slow Cooker Cabbage Recipes:

How to Cook Cabbage in the Oven

Roasting cabbage in the oven gives you crispy, caramelized edges and a tender, buttery core. The key is to cook the cabbage at a fairly high heat, 425 degrees F is perfect.

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Cut your head of cabbage into wedges (keep the core attached to help hold things together) and brush each side of the wedges with oil.
  3. Sprinkle with salt and whatever spices you like, and roast away on a baking sheet for 30 minutes, turning the cabbage wedges halfway through.
  4. Serve with a drizzle a little olive oil and lemon juice over the top!

Favorite Roasted Cabbage Recipes:

How to Cook Cabbage on the Grill

The grill does great things for cabbage. You'll love the caramelized leaves and crisped texture of grilled cabbage wedges. And you can't beat grilling cabbage for ease of prep.

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  1. Preheat a grill on medium-high heat.
  2. Slice your cabbage into quarters, brush with a little vegetable oil, season with salt, and place over preheated grill. To keep it from falling apart, you can also grill it in foil or in a metal pan.
  3. Grill until charred, about 30 minutes.

Favorite Grilled Cabbage Recipes:

How to Cook Cabbage in the Instant Pot

It's cabbage on the quick! This favorite countertop appliance handles cabbage beautifully.

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  1. Add chopped cabbage to the pot with a little butter, stock, and seasonings.
  2. Cook on high pressure for 4 to 6 minutes, depending on how crisp you'd like it.
  3. Do a quick release to release the remaining pressure.

Favorite Instant Pot Cabbage Recipes:

More Ways to Cook Cabbage

How to Cook Cabbage (6)

Fermenting is an age-old way to preserve cabbage that just happens to also be good for you: Both kimchi and sauerkraut are associated with improved gut health and stronger immunity. Of course, cabbage doesn't need to be cooked — raw cabbage adds a healthy crunch to coleslaw or salad as well.

Related:

How to Cook Cabbage (2024)

FAQs

How long should I boil cabbage for? ›

How long should I boil cabbage? Shredded cabbage will be done in around 5 minutes; for wedges, it'll be done around 10. You want to cook until tender, but err on the side of caution—overcooked cabbage will turn limp and give off a less-than-pleasant smell. Tip: Make sure to drain your cabbage to prevent overcooking!

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›

The few drops of vinegar eliminates the odor of cooked cabbage.

What is the healthiest way to eat cabbage? ›

Although you get different nutrients if you cook or ferment it, raw red cabbage in particular might give you the best nutritional boost per serving. Slice it very thinly and leave it for about 10 minutes to help bring out the fullest, most complex flavors. Then add it to salads or sandwiches or turn it into coleslaw.

How do you know if cabbage is fully cooked? ›

Simmer, covered, until the cabbage begins to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the cabbage carefully, and continue to simmer until the cabbage is tender, an additional 5 minutes. The cabbage is ready when a small paring knife inserted into the thickest part of the cabbage near the core slides through easily.

Does cabbage need to be washed before boiling? ›

Cooking. BOILING: Wash and cut cabbage into quarters or large wedges. Add about 1/2 inch of water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil.

Can you overcook cabbage? ›

Yes, cabbage sizzles in stir-fries; simmers in soups, stews, and braises; adds healthy crunch to salads; and does wonders for casseroles, gratins, and meat pies — cabbage does it all, and for a bargain price. The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it. Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly.

How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy? ›

That's because they only knew them to be boiled and mushy. Once people started roasting them at a high heat, perhaps with a little extra salt and fat (like bacon), it was a game-changer. You can also try slicing cabbage thin and sautéing it to maintain some of its crunchy texture.

Why does cabbage cleanse you out? ›

Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.

Does cabbage clean your gut? ›

May Help with Better Gut Health

As a natural source of dietary fiber, cabbage aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movements, reducing the risk of constipation. Furthermore, cabbage is a natural source of prebiotics, an indigestible fiber that acts as “fuel” for live and beneficial probiotics.

What does eating cabbage everyday do to your body? ›

Packed with phytosterols (plant sterols) and insoluble fiber, cabbage can help keep your digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular. It fuels the good bacteria in your gut that protects your immune system and produces essential nutrients.

How long is boiled cabbage good for? ›

Cover and refrigerate cooked cabbage within two hours of cooking and use within 3-5 days. If the cabbage is part of mixed dish like cabbage rolls, store covered in the fridge and use within 3-4 days. Freeze fresh or cooked cabbage in airtight containers or freezer bags for 10-12 months.

How long do you boil cabbage to remove leaves? ›

Boil a lot of water in your biggest pot. Dunk the entire cabbage into the pot for about 30 seconds and remove the outermost leaf.

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