How to cook cabbage

Although cabbage isn’t hard to cook, like this tasty Chicken & Cabbage Slaw Tacos, getting it wrong is all too easy — especially if you overcook it. Find out the best way to cook cabbage to perfection.

How to cook cabbage

The traditional way to cook cabbage is to boil it, following these instructions:

• Warm a pot of water until it boils, and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
• While the water is heating, remove the outer layers of the cabbage.
• Cut the cabbage into pieces and add a pinch of salt for flavour.
• Carefully place the cabbage into the pot, cover and allow the water to come back to a boil.
• Strain the cabbage in a colander somewhere between 5-10 minutes after the water boils again — the length of time will depend on how thin the cabbage is sliced.
• Serve the cooked cabbage with your dish or as a side.

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A common way of cooking cabbage in Eastern cuisine is to fry it. Fried cabbage can be blanched first or cooked raw. Use hot oil, such as sesame seed oil, and keep the cabbage moving in the pan or wok to prevent it from burning. Adding soy sauce will help steam the cabbage as it’s being fried and add a salty flavour. Generally speaking, fried cabbage works best when it’s finely chopped. This helps produce a more even, crunchy texture when cooked.

Another way to cook cabbage is to steam it. Follow the same method for boiling cabbage, but instead of placing cabbage into the water, place it in a colander on top of your pot of water. Cover the colander with a pan lid to retain moisture. Steaming helps preserve the nutrients in cabbage. When steaming, allow for a slightly longer cooking time than you would for boiling. It takes up to 50% longer to steam than boil, but this also depends on how it’s cut.

Uncover these delicious cabbage recipes and add a fresh twist to your next dish with these flavourful ideas.

How to cook cabbage for roast dinner

All of the methods outlined above are suited for a traditional Sunday roast. If you’re frying cabbage for a roast dinner, then use butter or vegetable oil without adding soy sauce. This may mean you need to fry the cabbage for a little longer and on a slightly lower heat. Fried cabbage is a great addition to a roast, especially if the other vegetables are boiled or steamed. If you’re making gravy, then retain the water from the cooked cabbage to use as vegetable stock, which is ideal for making gravy and sauces.

How to cook red cabbage

Red cabbage can be steamed, fried or boiled. As with other types of cabbage, remove the outer leaves before cooking. The core stem of red cabbage is particularly tough, so cut this out. When boiling red cabbage, you can add a dash of vinegar to the water, which will bring out the flavour and help retain its colour. Vinegar will also help tenderise red cabbage while it is being cooked, as well as speed up the cooking process. If you fancy red cabbage, try this perfect pork tenderloin recipe.

How to cook Savoy cabbage

Due to its crinkled leaves, Savoy cabbage can retain the fluids it comes into contact with. That means it needs more time to dry after steaming or boiling. However, the crinkled texture offers a distinct advantage when used for frying, making it a popular alternative to leafy greens, such as pak choi, in Thai and Chinese cuisine.

How to cook white cabbage

White cabbage is easy to overcook. Its dense nature falls apart after it has been chopped or shredded and can end up too soggy. Therefore, you should remove it from the pan sooner than you would with other types of cabbage. Remember that white cabbage is often eaten raw. After all, it is one of the main ingredients of coleslaw.

How to cook green cabbage

Traditional green cabbage can get too soggy when overcooked. A good tip is to partially fry green cabbage in butter until it begins to wilt. Before boiling, add just enough vegetable stock to cover the cabbage, then drain the cabbage after simmering for a couple of minutes.

How to cook sweetheart cabbage

Cooking sweetheart cabbage is easy and versatile! These are some of our favourite ways:

Stir-Frying: Slice the cabbage thinly and stir-fry with garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt until tender. This method keeps the cabbage crunchy and flavourful.

Steaming: Cut the cabbage into wedges and steam for 5-7 minutes until tender. Drizzle with a bit of lemon juice and olive oil before serving.

Roasting: Cut the cabbage into wedges, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 20-25 minutes until the edges are caramelised.

Boiling: Boil the cabbage wedges in salted water for 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain and season with butter and a sprinkle of nutmeg for a simple and delicious side dish.

Sautéing: Chop the cabbage and sauté with onions and a bit of bacon for added flavour. Cook until the cabbage is soft and slightly caramelised.

How long does cabbage take to cook

When cabbage is shredded into small pieces, such as in coleslaw, it only takes a few minutes to cook. Cabbage is usually chopped into larger pieces when served as an accompaniment to meat or fish. Boil or steam it for 8-10 minutes and check it. You can always cook cabbage for a little longer, but remember that it continues to cook a little, even after it’s been drained.

How to cook cabbage in an air fryer

Chop the vegetable as you would for boiling or steaming, then place it in your preheated air fryer basket. Let it cook for 8-12 minutes, turning the cabbage in the basket occasionally while air frying.

FAQs 

How long to cook cabbage?

Cabbage should be cooked for no longer than 10 minutes when it is being boiled. If the cabbage needs a little longer after cooking, then drain and allow it to sit covered in your colander. The warmth will still cook your cabbage, but it will take a little longer to get to the right stage of tenderness.

How long does cooked cabbage last?

Cooked cabbage can last for up to five days in the fridge. Place it in an airtight container and keep it chilled until you’re ready to consume it. 

Can I reheat cooked cabbage?

Yes, you can. To reheat cabbage, place it in the microwave for a minute or two or steam it over a pan of water. Remember that you don’t want to recook it — merely warm it through, or you may end up with overcooked cabbage. 

Can I freeze cooked cabbage?

Yes, you can. Allow it to dry thoroughly before placing it in a freezer bag. This will help prevent it from becoming too soggy when you defrost it for reheating.