47 Cabbage Recipes for Low-Cost Dinners That Impress
Our best cabbage recipes never fail to make us wonder how one globe can transform into so many dishes. Inexpensive and infinitely versatile, with an impressively long shelf life, cabbage is an undisputed weeknight cooking hero. One head can go a long, long way. A few things to know about this humble veg: Cabbage falls under the same cruciferous family as broccoli and brussels sprouts. There are many different types of cabbage—green, red, leafy Napa, crinkly Savoy, and others—so the first step is to pick a recipe before shopping. If you’re not that type of planner, don’t worry: Different types of cabbage are interchangeable in plenty of recipes. But some—like this Napa cabbage kimchi—work best with a specific variety.
Cabbage can take on any flavor thanks to its sturdy leaves and high absorbency. Sometimes all you need is a bit of salt and pepper—but a generous glug of olive oil (for extra-crispy caramelized edges) doesn’t hurt either. Want more pizzazz? Think caramelized cabbage, fried cabbage, shredded-and-piled-onto-a-crispy-chicken-sandwich cabbage. Keep scrolling to find easy recipes that’ll teach you how to cook cabbage perfectly every time.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Catherine Campbell Pearson1/47Easy Fish Tacos With Spicy Sauce
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by JoJo Li2/47Charred Cabbage With Kimchi Dressing
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi3/47Classic Coleslaw
This recipe from Nashville institution Hattie B’s tastes like coleslaw should: crunchy, a little creamy, and with enough vinegar to keep it bright.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Tim Ferro4/47Mustardy Grilled Cabbage and Kielbasa
Want to change things up at your next cookout? Two words: Grilled cabbage. Okay, a few more words: grilled cabbage with smoky sausage, baby potatoes, and a bright mustardy dressing. Convinced yet? We thought so.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Gerri K Williams5/47Cabbage Quiche With Apple-Radish Salad
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones and Thu Buser, prop styling by Sean Dooley6/47Frizzled-Onion Cabbage Salad
It’s hot and cold, crisp and soft, sweet and spicy—this frizzled onion and cabbage salad really does it all. You’ll want to eat the peanut butter, lime, and fish sauce dressing by the spoonful.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood7/47Pork and Cabbage Not-Quite-Dumpling Soup
All the flavor of homemade dumplings, none of the folding. This broken dumpling soup feels like a hug in a bowl.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni8/47Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Need an impressive vegetarian main for your next dinner party? This luxe cabbage recipe is it. Brush the wedges with Gruyère sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan, and roast until golden brown.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman9/47Sesame Chicken and Cabbage Salad
Looking for a speedy sheet pan dinner? This warm chicken and cabbage salad will be on the table in just 20 minutes.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca10/47Masa-Fried Chicken With Lime Cabbage Slaw
Recipe developer Christian Reynoso is making the case for adding masa harina (made from ground nixtamalized corn) to your fried chicken batter. “Not only can it contribute to a golden crispy crust, masa harina gives a distinct corn-y, tortilla chip-esque flavor,” Reynoso writes.
Alex Lau11/47Stir-Fried Udon Noodles With Pork and Scallions
With chewy udon, crispy ground pork, and crunchy cabbage, this noodle bowl requires no side dishes. It’s a full meal all on its own.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime12/47Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad With Cabbage
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht13/47Lazy Cabbage Rolls
Inspired by stuffed cabbage rolls, a classic Ukrainian comfort food, this quick version doesn’t require any rolling.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Christina Allen14/47Shabu-Shabu Noodle Soup
Photograph by Cody Guilfoyle, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie, Food Styling by Thu Buser15/47Hot-Oil-Seared Biang Biang Noodles
Photograph by Eva Kolenko. Food styling by Susie Theodorou. Set design by Kira Corbin. On set producer: Jennifer Thomas.16/47Charred Cabbage and Carrots
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Christina Allen17/47Dilly Beet Noodles
Borscht, but make it pasta. Garnish these vibrant magenta egg noodles with dots of sauerkraut, or pickled cabbage. You can make it at home or buy a jar at the grocery store—this brand is our favorite.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman18/47Clean-Out-the-Fridge Kimchi
The fizziest, most fun way to use up that head of Napa cabbage as well as all of those end-of-week veggie scraps.
Photo by Laura Murray, styling by Anna Bilingskog19/47Corned Beef and Cabbage Egg Rolls
These Irish-inspired egg rolls are the perfect solution for all those corned beef, cabbage, and carrot leftovers from St. Patrick’s Day.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones20/47Crispy Pan-Fried Shrimp With Cabbage Slaw and Gochujang Mayo
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kendra Vaculin21/47Mustardy Sausage and Halloumi Stir-Fry
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime23/47Tahini-Smothered Charred Cabbage
Cabbage as its best self: grilled to charred, tender perfection, then doused in a creamy tahini sauce and scattered with sesame seeds.
Photograph by Paola + Murray, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophia Pappas25/47Napa Cabbage Wedge With Sesame Ranch
Iceberg’s reign over the wedge salad stops here. Grab a head of Napa cabbage, and you’re halfway to this cooling salad, drizzled with an umami-rich miso-tahini dressing instead of the customary blue cheese or ranch.
Photo by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Nicole Louie26/47Thai Roast Chicken Thighs With Coconut Rice
This one-skillet weeknight dinner gets silkiness and umami from coconut milk, lime juice, and fish sauce.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by D’mytrek Brown, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime27/47Alicha Denich
This Ethiopian cabbage and potato stew from chef Fanta Prada gets its gingery, garlicky kick from awaze, a versatile hot pepper seasoning with myriad variations.
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio28/47Za’atar Chicken Cutlets With Cabbage Salad
Season the breadcrumbs for these chicken cutlets with a few heavy hitters from a typical za’atar spice blend (sesame, dried thyme, and sumac) for a dinner with tons of nutty, floral flavor and crunchy texture.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones30/47Cabbage Roll Casserole
Consider this riff on Eastern European cabbage rolls a cheese-covered sign to grab your casserole dish.
Photograph by Heami Lee, food styling by Frances Boswell, prop styling by Sophie Strangio31/47Spring Vegetable Bhajia
Crispy fried bhajia are a popular snack across India. Chef Preeti Mistry’s version makes the most of spring produce with frilly Napa cabbage, young carrots, sugar snap peas, and scallions.
Photography by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jamie32/47Shrimp and Cabbage Curry
To make this dish vegetarian, skip the shrimp and use cubed soft tofu or more vegetables, like zucchini. Just don’t skimp on the green cabbage for ultimate heartiness.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Micah Morton33/47Turmeric and Coconut-Braised Cabbage With Chickpeas
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio35/47Stuffed Cabbage With Lemony Rice and Sumac
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio36/47Cabbage Slaw With Charred Scallions and Lime Dressing
This easy side dish from BA favorite Lil’ Deb’s Oasis is spicy and toasty—but also crisp and refreshing. Charred scallions give it a deep, caramelized allium flavor.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski37/47Cheesy Cabbage Gratin
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski40/47Red Cabbage and Onion Slaw
Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Sean Dooley42/47Curtido (Salvadoran Cabbage Relish)
Serve this fermented cabbage relish with pupusas, alongside grilled meats, or any time you want a bright, pickle-y topping.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski43/47Napa Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Anna Stockwell45/47Chicken Soup With Charred Cabbage
Simmering a rotisserie bird with a handful of aromatics and mushroom stems beats boxed chicken stock any day.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson46/47Spicy Kimchi Slaw
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson47/47Charred Cabbage With Goat Cheese Raita and Cucumbers