Pair this tangy, satisfying side with any of your favorite mains, or mix into a salad or sandwich.
One of my favorite dishes to cook for my grandma is caramelized cabbage. She’s the only other person I know who enjoys it as much as I do. The ingredients are simple to blend together, and cooking it on the stove leaves the whole kitchen smelling earthy and sweet. We usually serve it with something hearty: a burger or slice of meatloaf for her, and a veggie burger or gluten-free noodles for me. Since caramelized cabbage is so light and tangy, it’s the perfect side to even the heaviest main dishes.
One of the best aspects of this recipe is that it only takes thirty-five minutes, and you can keep it cooking on the stove while you’ve got meat roasting in the oven or pasta boiling on another burner. For this reason, it’s a great dish to multitask with other parts of your meal. At first glance, it doesn’t look like much. It’s not bright in color, but it is vibrant in flavor, and you might be surprised to find how satisfying it can be even when served on its own.
Is Caramelized Cabbage Healthy?
Despite what you might think about the word “caramelized,” this dish is in fact healthy. It contains loads of fiber, a little protein and a whole range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. If you need it to be dairy-free, simply replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. This recipe for caramelized cabbage is also gluten-free and sugar-free.
My “Everything And Then Some” Edition
When I cook caramelized cabbage, I like to jazz it up with special seasonings. The result is a rich, buttery, slightly spicy mix that’s so good it can be savored on its own. If you’re interested in trying it, then I recommend adding 1 teaspoon each of cumin, paprika, and everything bagel seasoning. Then, add 1/2 teaspoon each of dried oregano and basil. When it’s time to serve, instead of using regular butter, drop a little ghee on the warm cabbage. Ghee is a flavorful form of clarified butter that enriches the dish and elevates it to restaurant status. Trust me: you’re going to like it more with each succulent bite!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat
Start with heating oil in a skillet.
Sauté
Cook cabbage with seasoning until softened.
Caramelize
Add vinegar, finish cooking until golden.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To prep ahead, coat the raw cabbage in oil, salt, and pepper (and any other seasonings you want) the day before, and then let it sit in the fridge overnight to marinate. The next day, heat up the pan and follow steps 3 to 5 to finish making caramelized cabbage.
Before storing leftovers in the fridge, make sure they cool to about room temperature. Then, place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.
I’ve made the mistake of rushing to put the shredded cabbage on the pan when it wasn’t hot enough, and this ruins the texture. For perfectly tender cabbage that soaks in the flavor completely, make sure to heat the pan first. (In other words: don’t skip out on step 1!)
For more tanginess, add an extra tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or a tablespoon of lemon juice. This brightens the dish further, and it’s something my grandma and I do when we really want some extra zest to make our lips pucker!
If I’m eating caramelized cabbage plain in a bowl, sometimes I’ll garnish it with fresh parsley or basil. Other times, I’ll top it with toasted walnuts or Air Fryer Chickpeas for some crunchy protein. The choice is yours! Garnish to your heart’s content.
Serving Suggestions
As you can see, caramelized cabbage goes well with a wide array of mains. Choose anything from Smoked Meatloaf or Sirloin Steak to Chicken Risotto. Personally, I enjoy topping it on a Quinoa Salad or stuffing it into an Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich or Honey Garlic Chickpea Wrap. It’s amazing how far these little pieces of humble cabbage can go! Think outside the box with this one, and add some sweetness to any meal.
Caramelized Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium head green cabbage cored and sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter optional
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
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Add the sliced cabbage to the skillet, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir to coat with oil.
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Cook the cabbage, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften and brown on the edges, about 15 minutes.
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Drizzle apple cider vinegar over the cabbage and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the cabbage is fully caramelized and golden brown, about 10 more minutes.
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If desired, add butter for a richer flavor and stir until melted and well incorporated. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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