Sauteed Cabbage

• Cabbage – I prefer sauteed green cabbage, but you can make this recipe with red cabbage, savoy cabbage, or Napa cabbage as well. You could even buy bags of already shredded cabbage to save time (done it, not sorry!), though freshly cut tastes better.
• Olive Oil – I usually go for regular olive oil here, but extra virgin or avocado oil works, too.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic will give you the best flavor, but a teaspoon from a jar works.
• Butter – Optional, but I highly recommend a tablespoon for flavor! Most sauteed cabbage recipes use only oil, or they mix butter with oil (it’s a myth that this lowers the smoke point of butter — it doesn’t!). Instead, in this recipe I add butter toward the end of cooking, so you get the same flavor without burning it. (It’s the same trick I use for sauteed zucchini and sauteed mushrooms.) You can also use ghee (not dairy-free, but lactose removed) or butter flavored coconut oil if you’re sensitive to dairy.
• Balsamic Vinegar – Optional as well, but I love the sweet, tangy flavor. You could also use white balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

1. Shred cabbage. Cutting the cabbage for sauteing is easy! Just quarter it, remove the stem and core, then slice thinly into shreds. (Check out my visual below.)
2. Saute garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant.

3. Saute cabbage. Add the shredded cabbage to the pan and sauté until it caramelizes.
4. Amp up the flavor. Reduce the heat, and stir in the butter and/or balsamic vinegar (if using). Cook for another minute or two. This infuses the sauteed cabbage with a sweet and buttery flavor!

5. Season and serve. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to your taste before serving.

Flavor Variations

This is my most basic sauteed cabbage recipe, but you can easily customize it with add-ins. Here are some of my favorites:

• Skillet Meal – Make it a full meal by cooking cabbage and sausage or my chicken cabbage stir fry in one pan.
• Onion – Sauteed cabbage and onions taste amazing together! The only reason I left them out here is to make the recipe faster, but they make such a great addition. Simply saute a thinly sliced onion for a couple minutes before adding cabbage to the pan.
• Spicy – If you like heat, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes, or even a drizzle of sriracha.
• Bacon – You could just add some crumbled oven bacon, but I think it’s even better following my fried cabbage recipe that cooks the bacon in the process.
• Asian Inspired – Add a splash of coconut aminos (or soy sauce) in place of the balsamic vinegar. I like this version with toasted sesame oil at the end (don’t saute with it, as it will burn), a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and green onions.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep sauteed cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Heat it in the microwave or a hot skillet, until warm.
• Freeze: You can freeze cooked cabbage for up to 3 months. (I don’t recommend freezing it raw.) Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Serving Ideas

Sauteed cabbage pairs with just about any main! Here are some of my favorites:

• Steak – This veggie side goes perfectly with sirloin steak, or even filet mignon or New York strip if you’re feeling fancy.
• Chicken – I pair it with pan seared chicken breast or baked chicken legs most often, but when I’m short on time, chicken thighs in the air fryer are even faster. For a crowd, just roast a whole chicken.
• Fish – Sauteed cabbage makes a flavorful side for baked cod or grilled salmon on weeknights. But my best halibut recipe is such a treat for a special meal.
• Pork – Pop pork chops in an air fryer or bake pork chops in the oven for a comforting vibe with this cabbage side dish. My air fryer sausage is the easiest option, though.

More Shredded Cabbage Recipes

I love shredded cabbage all the ways, both raw and cooked. If you like my sauteed cabbage recipe, check out some other recipes to make with this vegetable:

Egg Roll Bowl

Beef Cabbage Soup

Cabbage Salad

Taco Slaw

Classic Cabbage Soup

Cabbage Stir Fry