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Cabbage is one of the vegetables we can always count on when the weather gets colder. It is hearty, flavourful and incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Plus, there are some fun varieties to choose from.
Most grocery stores carry three cabbage varieties: the standard white cabbage, with a smooth light-green surface that you'll often find in coleslaw, red cabbage (which is perfect for braises and salads) and savoy cabbage, which is cream coloured and has curly leaves.
Of course, you'll find many more varieties at your local farmers market, so be on the lookout for heirloom cabbages.
Need some ideas for how to cook cabbage? Take a look at 10 recipes from around the world below.
How to Cook Cabbage: Recipes and Ideas
Coleslaw
Creamy, colorful and tangy, coleslaw is one of those classic cabbage recipes everyone needs to master, especially if you love pulled pork and/or sandwiches.
We recommend this easy coleslaw recipe. For a lighter version, try making this coleslaw recipe prepared with red cabbage and macadamia nuts and yogurt.
You'll need to know how to julienne a cabbage so here's a quick tutorial:
How to Cook Cabbage: Make Bubble and Squeak
This traditional English dish with a whimsical name originated from the use of leftovers.
Recipes abound, but this one pairs potatoes with sauteed Savoy cabbage. They are cooked until tender then added to a pan of fried onions where they are mashed and cooked until crispy.
Thai Curry with Pumpkin and Cabbage
White cabbage adds a nice texture to this pumpkin-based Thai curry perfumed with kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, scallions and shallots.
Chinese Cabbage Salad
Savoy cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage, has a pleasant crunchiness that makes it ideal for salads and stir fry dishes. In this case, it is paired with curried tofu marinated in coconut milk. The result is a hearty vegetarian dish with tantalizing flavours. Here's the recipe.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomayaki is a popular Japanese dish that looks like a pizza but is actually made with cabbage. Its name translates to 'what would you like, grilled' and it's no wonder why: you can make it with endless toppings. Here's a nice tutorial on how to make okonomayaki at home.
How to Cook Cabbage: Chips!
Without a doubt you've heard of kale chips. But did you know you can make chips from cabbage also? The process is exactly the same, except you have to cut the cabbage leaves into smaller pieces and perhaps bake them a little longer.
Kimchi
In Korea, cabbage is most notably used to make a fermented spicy condiment known as kimchi, which is served with practically every meal. Each cook has his or her own special kimchi recipe, but the common ingredients are Savoy cabbage, julienned carrots, garlic and tons of red pepper powder. Want to make it? Watch the video above.
Colcannon Mashed Potatoes
This Irish take on mashed potatoes is prepared with thinly sliced cabbage. The combination results in a hearty dish, perfect with corned beef or a Sunday roast. Learn how to make it.
Thai Spring Rolls
Shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, bean sprouts and ground beef are the filling of these tasty Thai spring rolls. They are the perfect finger good for all of your entertaining needs. Find the recipe right this way.
Stuffed Cabbage
Stuffed cabbage is a popular dish in Eastern European countries like Poland, Ukraine and Romania. Traditionally, they are filled with a mixture of ground meat and rice then cooked in a tomato broth.
This vegetarian recipe features an Italian twist and uses mashed potato and Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses as fillings.
