I get it… The cabbage doesn’t exactly scream “exciting dinner idea,” right? Most people think of it as that plain, boring vegetable that shows up only in coleslaw or maybe tucked next to corned beef once a year. But hear me out! This humble veggie is seriously underrated and it’s about to surprise you.
Cabbage can be flavourful when treated right. Give it just five minutes in a hot pan, and suddenly become the best vegetable side dish. Trust me, once you see how quickly it transforms, you’ll start looking at that head of cabbage in your fridge with brand-new respect.
If you only had it raw in coleslaw or tucked inside sauerkraut, you are missing out.
When you sauté cabbage, just a quick swirl in butter and olive oil, it turns soft, lightly caramelized, and full of smooth, buttery flavour. It becomes a comfort food, but lighter, crisp, and ready in minutes.
This sautéed cabbage is one one easy vegetable side dish that can saves the day when you are low on time. It’s fast, budget-friendly, and goes with basically anything. Like roasted chicken, steak, or just grilled sausage.
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Why You’ll Love This Sautéed Cabbage
It takes less minutes to get it ready. All you need to do is chop, sauté, season, and done. A real life saver on a busy weeknight day.
This cabbage is the ultimate easy vegetable side dish when you’re tired of salads. It’s also made with pantry basics, so that everyone has it at home: butter, olive oil, salt and black pepper. Also, that splash of balsamic vinegar gives it that perfect tangy finish, that wraps everything so perfectly.
What You’ll Need for This Fried Cabbage
Let’s talk ingredients, because even though this is the easiest thing ever to make, each one brings its own touch to the dish.
Cabbage – I like using flat (or green) cabbage. It has that perfect balance of crunch and tenderness, so it cooks up beautifully without turning soggy. Plus, it’s affordable, full of fiber.
Butter – The butter is what gives a warm, rich, comforting flavour. It also helps the cabbage soften and caramelize.
Olive oil – I like using both the butter and olive oil here, because they balance each other out perfectly. Olive oil keeps things light, while also helping the butter not burn when cooking on higher heat.
Salt and black pepper – This is the simple seasoning that never fail. Don’t underestimate them, a sprinkle of salt brings out the cabbage’s natural sweetness, and the black pepper gives that gentle kick that makes everything taste just right.
Balsamic vinegar – The secret star of this recipe. Just a drizzle at the end makes everything pop.
Easy Sautéed Cabbage
Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes5
minutes190
kcal10
minutesThis sautéed cabbage recipe is a quick and easy vegetable side dish made with butter, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Ready in minutes, delicious, budget-friendly way to cook cabbage for any meal.
Ingredients
2 cups cabbage, shredded
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped dill
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and black pepper, to taste
How to Make This Fried Cabbage
- Start by preparing the cabbage. Shred it into thin slices, nothing fancy.
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat, then add butter and olive oil. Let them melt before adding the shredded cabbage.
- Toss the cabbage in and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle in salt and pepper. Then add the chopped dill.
- Keep cooking 2–3 minutes more until it’s tender.
- Remove from heat and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Give it one last toss.
Notes
- You can opt in for some chilli flakes sprinkled over for extra heat.
How to Serve It
You can pair this fried cabbage with roasted meat, chicken, or fish or just eat it straight from the pan (no judgments here). I do that all the time, which is why I always make a little extra. It’s also great tucked into wraps with some leftovers from the night before.
How to Store the Sautéed Cabbage
Store your sautéed cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a pan or microwave, still tastes delicious.
This simple sautéed cabbage proves that even the most ordinary veggie can be extraordinary with just a few minutes. So next time you’re staring into your fridge thinking what do I make, grab that cabbage and your frying pan.
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Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron! As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
