13 Cabbage Recipes That Turn the Cheapest Vegetable Into the Star of Dinner

Cabbage might be the most underrated vegetable in the grocery store. It costs very little, it lasts for weeks in the fridge, and it feeds a crowd. Treat it right and it becomes sweet, buttery, crispy or tangy, depending on how you cook it. These cabbage recipes come from Southern kitchens, Irish farmhouses, German grandmothers and Asian street food stalls, and none of them are the soggy boiled cabbage you might remember. Want more green sides? Try these leafy greens recipes too. Which one will change your mind about cabbage..

Roasted Cabbage Steaks With Garlic Butter, the Most Talked About of All Cabbage Recipes

Slice a head of cabbage into thick rounds, brush with garlic butter and roast until the edges turn dark golden and crispy while the centers go sweet and tender. That is it. These cabbage steaks look stunning on a platter and disappear faster than you would ever believe. A shower of parmesan and fresh herbs at the end makes them taste like a restaurant side. Be honest: would you have believed cabbage could look this good?

You will need: You will need: 1 head green cabbage, 4 tbsp melted butter or olive oil, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, parsley, lemon wedges.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425F. 2. Cut the cabbage into 1 inch thick rounds, keeping the core so they hold together. 3. Mix butter, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper and brush both sides. 4. Roast 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once, until the edges are deeply browned. 5. Top with parmesan, parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Charred Grilled Cabbage Wedges

When the grill is already hot, throw on a few cabbage wedges. The outer leaves char and turn smoky while the inside steams until tender. Drizzle with a tangy lemon yogurt sauce or a spicy chili butter, and you have a side that holds its own next to burgers or steaks. Quick poll: what is your favorite thing to grill besides meat? A) corn B) cabbage C) peppers D) pineapple.

You will need: You will need: 1 small head cabbage, 3 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 clove garlic, fresh dill.

How to make it: 1. Cut cabbage into 6 wedges, keeping the core. 2. Brush with oil and season well. 3. Grill over medium high heat 5 to 6 minutes per side, with the lid closed. 4. Mix yogurt, lemon, grated garlic and dill. 5. Drizzle sauce over the warm wedges.

Southern Fried Cabbage With Bacon, a Soul Food Star of Cabbage Recipes

In the South, fried cabbage is a beloved side next to cornbread and black eyed peas, especially on New Year’s Day. Cabbage is slowly cooked down in bacon fat with onions until soft, sweet and slightly caramelized. A splash of vinegar at the end brightens it up. It is one of those cabbage recipes that tastes like home. Did your family serve cabbage for good luck on New Year’s?

You will need: You will need: 6 slices bacon (chopped), 1 head cabbage (chopped), 1 onion (sliced), 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, pinch of red pepper flakes.

How to make it: 1. Cook bacon in a large pot until crisp, then remove. 2. Cook onion in the bacon fat 5 minutes. 3. Add cabbage, garlic and seasonings. 4. Cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring now and then. 5. Stir in vinegar and bacon and serve.

German Braised Red Cabbage, a Holiday Classic Among Cabbage Recipes

Rotkohl, or sweet and sour red cabbage, is a must at German holiday dinners. Shredded red cabbage simmers slowly with apples, onions, vinegar, a little sugar and warm spices like cloves and bay leaf. It turns a gorgeous deep purple and tastes even better the next day. Serve it with roast pork, sausages or your Thanksgiving turkey. Have you ever tried red cabbage cooked like this?

You will need: You will need: 1 head red cabbage (shredded), 2 apples (grated), 1 onion, 2 tbsp butter, 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 bay leaf, 3 whole cloves, 1/2 cup water, salt.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and soften the onion. 2. Add cabbage, apples, vinegar, sugar, spices and water. 3. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low 45 to 60 minutes. 4. Stir now and then and add water if dry. 5. Remove bay leaf and cloves and season to taste.

Irish Colcannon, the Coziest of Cabbage Recipes

Colcannon is the Irish comfort side that mixes creamy mashed potatoes with buttery cabbage and green onions. In Ireland it is traditional around Halloween, and some families hide a coin or ring inside for luck. Make a well in the center and fill it with melted butter. It is cheap, cozy and perfect for October nights. Would you hunt for a lucky coin in your mashed potatoes?

You will need: You will need: 2 lb potatoes (peeled), 3 cups shredded cabbage, 4 tbsp butter, 1 cup warm milk, 4 green onions (sliced), salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, cook cabbage in 2 tbsp butter until soft, 6 minutes. 3. Drain and mash potatoes with warm milk. 4. Fold in cabbage and green onions and season. 5. Serve with the remaining butter melted on top.

Buttery Savoy Cabbage With Nutmeg

Savoy cabbage has crinkly, tender leaves that cook quickly and soak up butter beautifully. A pinch of nutmeg and a squeeze of lemon are all it needs. It is an elegant side for roast chicken or salmon and takes only ten minutes. If you have never bought savoy cabbage, look for the frilly green heads near the regular ones. Have you cooked with savoy before?

You will need: You will need: 1 head savoy cabbage, 3 tbsp butter, 1 shallot (minced), pinch of nutmeg, squeeze of lemon, salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Remove the core and slice the leaves into ribbons. 2. Melt butter and cook the shallot 2 minutes. 3. Add cabbage and a splash of water. 4. Cover and cook 5 to 7 minutes until tender. 5. Season with nutmeg, lemon, salt and pepper.

Chinese Hot and Sour Cabbage, a Street Food Twist on Cabbage Recipes

This is a favorite home style dish across China, made in minutes in a very hot wok. Cabbage leaves are torn, not cut, so they get crispy edges, then tossed with dried chilies, garlic, vinegar and soy sauce. The result is smoky, tangy and a little spicy. It is one of the fastest cabbage recipes on this list. How spicy do you like it: mild, medium or hot?

You will need: You will need: 1/2 head green cabbage, 2 tbsp oil, 4 dried red chilies, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp black vinegar or rice vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Tear cabbage into bite size pieces. 2. Heat oil in a wok until smoking. 3. Add chilies and garlic for 20 seconds. 4. Add cabbage and stir fry on high 3 to 4 minutes. 5. Add vinegar, soy and sugar, toss and serve.

Cabbage and Noodle Stir Fry

Shredded cabbage and noodles are a classic pairing in many cultures, from Polish haluski to Asian chow mein. This version stir fries noodles with cabbage, carrots and green onions in a savory soy and sesame sauce. It is a full meal for pennies and a great way to use up half a head of cabbage. Do you think of cabbage as a side or a main dish?

You will need: You will need: 8 oz noodles, 3 cups shredded cabbage, 1 carrot (julienned), 3 green onions, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp oil.

How to make it: 1. Cook noodles and drain. 2. Stir fry garlic, cabbage and carrot in oil for 3 minutes. 3. Add noodles. 4. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. 5. Toss well and top with green onions.

Quick Cabbage and Carrot Saute

When you need a side dish in ten minutes, this is it. Shredded cabbage and carrots are sauteed in butter with a pinch of caraway or cumin seeds until just tender with a little crunch left. It goes with almost any dinner, from pork chops to fish. A spoon of mustard stirred in at the end adds a nice kick. Do you like your vegetables crunchy or soft?

You will need: You will need: 4 cups shredded cabbage, 2 carrots (shredded), 2 tbsp butter, 1/2 tsp caraway or cumin seeds, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and toast the seeds 30 seconds. 2. Add cabbage and carrots. 3. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often. 4. Stir in mustard. 5. Season and serve right away.

Homemade Sauerkraut for a Classic Reuben

Sauerkraut is just cabbage and salt, left to ferment for a week or two until tangy and crunchy. Homemade kraut tastes brighter than the canned kind, and it is the star of the famous Reuben sandwich with corned beef, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing. It is one of the simplest cabbage recipes, but it needs patience. Would you try fermenting at home?

You will need: You will need: 1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 lb), 1 tbsp fine sea salt, optional 1 tsp caraway seeds, a clean quart jar and a small weight.

How to make it: 1. Shred the cabbage finely. 2. Massage with salt for 5 to 10 minutes until it releases liquid. 3. Pack tightly into the jar, pressing until the brine covers it. 4. Weigh it down and cover loosely. 5. Leave at room temperature 1 to 3 weeks, tasting often, then refrigerate.

Crunchy Napa Cabbage Salad

Napa cabbage is mild, sweet and extra crunchy, so it is perfect raw. Shred it thin and toss with carrots, peppers, cilantro and a sesame lime dressing for a light side that pairs well with grilled chicken or rice bowls. Toasted peanuts on top add crunch. It holds well for a day in the fridge. Quick poll: peanuts, almonds or sesame seeds on top?

You will need: You will need: 1/2 head napa cabbage, 1 carrot, 1 red pepper, handful of cilantro, 1/4 cup peanuts. Dressing: 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp honey.

How to make it: 1. Thinly shred the cabbage. 2. Julienne the carrot and pepper. 3. Whisk the dressing. 4. Toss vegetables and cilantro with dressing. 5. Top with chopped peanuts.

Cozy Cabbage and Vegetable Soup

A big pot of cabbage soup is one of the cheapest, coziest meals you can make when the weather turns cold. Cabbage, carrots, celery, potatoes and tomatoes simmer in a savory broth with herbs. Add white beans or smoked sausage if you want it heartier. It freezes well too. What is your go to soup when it gets chilly outside?

You will need: You will need: 1/2 head cabbage (chopped), 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 2 potatoes, 1 can diced tomatoes, 6 cups broth, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp thyme, salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Saute onion, carrots and celery 6 minutes. 2. Add garlic and thyme. 3. Add cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes and broth. 4. Simmer 25 minutes until tender. 5. Season and serve with crusty bread.

How to Pick and Store Cabbage Like a Pro

Before you try these cabbage recipes, a few tips help a lot. Choose heads that feel heavy for their size, with tight, shiny leaves and no soft spots. Keep it whole and dry in the crisper drawer, where it can last two to three weeks. Once cut, wrap it tightly and use it within a few days. Which of these cabbage dishes will you make first? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: You will need: 1 head of cabbage, a sharp chef knife, a large cutting board, plastic wrap or a reusable bag.

How to make it: 1. Peel off any damaged outer leaves. 2. Cut the cabbage in half through the core. 3. Cut each half in half again. 4. Slice out the hard core at an angle. 5. Shred, chop or cut into wedges for your recipe.