For a healthy side, you kind of can’t beat the benefits of cabbage. Eaten raw, it’s only about 22 calories per cup and rich in vitamins. Unfortunately, raw cabbage can be kind of bland, and it’s probably not the tasty little side dish you’d want to serve with an entree. But add a few seasonings and cook it the right way, and bam! Cabbage transforms into a delicious and flavorful side.
Cabbage can be cooked in a few different ways, and there are TONS of interesting ways you can work them into recipes, like soups, spicy kimchi, and blue cheese coleslaw. But in this post, we’re going to focus on a few simple, basic techniques for cooking cabbage. No frills. Just plain ‘ole cabbage.
How to Cook Cabbage
Because cabbage leaves can be a bit tough, most people like to cook them to soften them up and make them easier to chew. One of the more popular ways to do this is to simmer it slowly on the stovetop in a with water and a few seasonings.
To start, chop cabbage into thin slices. Fill a skillet with approximately 1 inch of water and set on low heat. Add cabbage and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you’d like, you can add a little salt and pepper to taste, or a few drops of lemon juice. Some people also like to add in thinly sliced pieces of ham to add additional flavor.
How to Boil Cabbage
Boiling cabbage is another popular way to cook cabbage. First, cut a small to medium sized head of cabbage into wedges. Depending on the size of your cabbage, you might get anywhere from 6 to 10 individual wedges. Fill a large skilled with 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add cabbage wedges and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Turn heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes uncovered. Flip cabbage wedges over and simmer for another 8 minutes on the other side. Pour out excess water and let the moisture evaporate. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter to skillet and coat cabbage with butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.
How to Saute Cabbage
And lastly, we’re going to teach you how to saute cabbage. We suggest sauteing cabbage with a few other vegetables and spices like chopped onions and garlic to add some extra flavor. Dice onions and garlic. Chop cabbage into thin slices. Next, heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil (or vegetable oil if you want to save some calories) in a large skillet. Add onions and garlic to skillet and cook for a few minutes before adding in cabbage. Saute cabbage on medium low heat and toss frequently to avoid burning the leaves. Let the cabbage cool for a few minutes, and serve warm.
How do you cook your cabbage? Do you have a favorite recipe that uses cabbage in an interesting way? Let us know in the comments!
