If the only time you eat cabbage is in coleslaw form, it's time to expand your horizons. Whether we’re talking red cabbage, Napa cabbage, savoy cabbage, or even bok choy, this cruciferous veggie is actually SO versatile. Think of it another way: You know how cauliflower can be transformed into everything under the sun? Cabbage is kind of like that, with the added benefit of being extra crisp, crunchy, and super fresh-tasting. Check out our list of 50 cabbage recipes for proof, and to help get your creative cabbage juices flowing.
Speaking of, you’ll want to keep in mind that the vegetable's water content is pretty high, so don't be afraid to salt it pretty heavily while cooking with it. Because it’s so hearty, it stands up to cooking techniques like braising or roasting wayyy better than other greens. Where a romaine salad can sometimes feel not-so-filling, that’s never the case with cabbage—check out our crunch salad or our mandarin orange chicken salad to see what we mean. It’s also a joy in veggie soups (hello borsht!), and pairs super well alongside noodles, like in our Haluski cabbage & noodles, our Japanese chicken yakisoba, or our Korean jajangmyeon.
Are noodles a no-go? Whether you’re on a keto or low-carb diet, or are just cutting down on gluten, cabbage is there for you. This humble veggie can easily be turned into a variety of low-carb delights, from a burrito or enchiladas to a bunless cheeseburger or Philly cheesesteak. Avoiding meat? Cabbage is also a vegetarian dream. We know it’s not quite the same as a steak, but serve it breaded, like in our cabbage schnitzel; topped with cheese, like in our cabbage Parm; or topped with mushroom gravy, like in our whole roasted cabbage, and we bet you won’t even miss the meat.
Wait a sec, we can't talk about cabbage without talking about St. Patrick's Day! The Irish really take their cabbage seriously, most popularly in classic corned beef & cabbage. Follow our tips to make your at-home version the best it can be, then check out all the rest of our Irish-inspired meals to pair along with it this St. Patrick’s Day too.