Cabbage Recipes (Easy Ways to Cook & Use Cabbage)
Cabbage is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly vegetables you can cook with, yet it’s often overlooked. From fresh salads to cozy soups and quick one-pan dinners, there are countless ways to use it in everyday meals. This guide covers how to cook cabbage, simple ways to use it, and includes easy cabbage recipes to get you started!
Cabbage is one of the most underrated vegetables in the kitchen, but it’s also one of the most versatile. It’s inexpensive, easy to find year-round, and can be transformed into everything from fresh, crunchy salads to cozy soups, classic comfort dishes like corned beef and cabbage, and quick one-pan dinners.
If you’ve ever wondered how to use cabbage beyond coleslaw and corned beef and cabbage, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, you’ll learn simple ways to cook cabbage — from sautéing and roasting to simmering — along with easy ideas for turning it into everyday meals. You’ll also find a collection of healthy cabbage recipes to help you make the most of this incredibly versatile ingredient.
How to use cabbage
If you’re wondering how to use cabbage, you’re not alone. Most people think of cabbage for coleslaw or corned beef and cabbage, but it’s so much more versatile than that.
Cabbage can be:
- Tossed into fresh, crunchy salads
- Simmered into soups and stews
- Cooked into classic comfort dishes
- Sautéed or roasted for an easy side
- Added to quick, one-pan dinners
It’s inexpensive, stores well, and works in everything from light lunches to hearty meals — which makes it a great ingredient to keep on hand.
How to cook cabbage (simple methods)
Cabbage is easy to cook and adapts well to a variety of methods depending on the texture and flavor you’re looking for:
- Sauteing: One of the quickest methods. Cabbage becomes tender with lightly caramelized edges and a naturally sweet flavor.
- Roasting: High heat creates crispy edges and deeper flavor. Great for wedges or thick slices.
- Simmering: Perfect for soups and stews, where cabbage becomes soft and slightly sweet.
- Braising: Slow cooking in broth creates tender, flavorful cabbage for classic comfort dishes.
Choosing and storing cabbage
The head should be firm to the touch, nice and heavy, with healthy, bright leaves that have no discoloration.
Whole heads will keep longer, so don’t cut it until you’re ready to use it. Store the whole head in a loose plastic bag in the crisper for up to 5 days.
After cutting, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the crisper, or an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Seasonal produce is best when it’s stored correctly. For a complete overview of how to choose and store fruits and vegetables so they stay fresh longer, see my guide to choosing and storing produce.
How to cut cabbage
It’s extremely easy to cut, especially when following the simple steps below!
1. Remove the stem and cut in half. The stem may be removed with a regular or paring knife. To cut in half, stand upright on a cutting board and cut down the middle from top to bottom.
2. Remove the core. Stand upright and cut along the sides of the core in a triangular shape. It’s much easier to do this with a paring knife.
3. Cut into wedges. Place cut-side down on the cutting board and cut into (4) wedges.
4. Cut each wedge into strips. Place the wedge cut-side down and cut into strips.
Cabbage recipes
Here are some of my favorite cabbage recipes to help you put it to good use, whether you’re looking for something fresh and crunchy or warm and comforting!
Cabbage and Ground Beef Casserole
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
Napa Cabbage Salad with Asian Dressing
Cabbage Soup Recipe
Simple Sautéed Cabbage
Fennel and Apple Slaw
Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe
8 Comments on “Cabbage Recipes (Easy Ways to Cook & Use Cabbage)”
I totally do not cook with cabbage and definitely should start playing around with it more! That veggie cabbage soup sounds up my alley.
I’ve been missing out and need to use it a lot more!
Growing up we had green cabbage every Sunday with our ‘jigg’s dinner’. Veggies (including cabbage, potato, carrot and turnip) boiled with salt meat (which I’m guessing is similar to corned beef?). Needless to say, like you, I was a bit turned from the mushy cabbage. Nowadays, I prepare it in many different ways, and purple cabbage is a staple in our house! Thanks for another great produce guide Marcie!
That meal does sound like corned beef! I love purple cabbage too and need to use it a lot more often!
Thanks so much for this product guide – I have had no idea that cabbage is so good for you! I am afraid that I also suffer from the childhood memories of overcooked cabbage which we had a LOT. The list of recipes showcasing cabbage is also mouthwatering – thank you so much for including this and inspiring me to use cabbage more often!
It seems that everyone experienced mushy cabbage growing up! lol Thanks Katerina!
Such a comprehensive guide to cabbage, Marcie! We love cabbage in our home and actually grew some last year! I love how versatile, hearty and tasty it is! Can’t wait to try some of these recipes – they all look delicious! Thanks a bunch for including my cabbage soup 🙂 XO
I’ve never tried growing it! Thanks Dawn and I can’t wait to try your soup!