Easy and Delicious Boiled Cabbage Recipe - The How-To Home (2024)

Easy and delicious buttered cabbage - great side dish.

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Have you ever tried boiled cabbage? If not, you're in for a real treat! This simple side dish is not only delicious, but it's also incredibly easy to make.

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It goes well with so many different main courses and most chicken, beef, and pork meals, but one of my favorite ways to serve this buttered cabbage side dish is with parmesan-crusted air fryer pork chops or my crispy friend chicken.

Green cabbage is usually a relatively inexpensive vegetable as well which is another plus but

Easy and Delicious Boiled Cabbage Recipe - The How-To Home (1)

I recently got two fresh heads and was going to make my Mom's sweet and sour cabbage but decided to change things up a bit and make this butter sautéed alternative instead. When this was all cooked up it tasted almost like pierogis or haluski without all the extra carbs and it's gluten-free which is a nice side dish my whole family can enjoy.

The full recipe with instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can find helpful tips and tricks within the blog post itself.

❔Common Questions

How to Prepare Cabbage for Cooking and Eating

Before eating cabbage whether raw or when prepping it for cooking you will want to wash it. This is an important step that cannot be skipped because worms and insects could be inside the head. The first step is to remove the thick outer cabbage leaves. Next, you'll cut it into wedges and rinse under cool running water in a colander. Further steps will depend on what you'll be making so be sure to refer to the instructions of the individual cabbage recipe.

Can You Freeze Cooked Cabbage?

Yes, you absolutely can. Allow the cooked cabbage to cool down then transfer to a zip-lock freezer bag. I like to use these rack holders to hold my bags for hands-free freezer meal prep. They make this step so much easier. Once the boiled cabbage is in the bag, gently remove the air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 5 months.

Can This Be Made in a Pressure Cooker?

Yes, you can make Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage easily. Shredded Cabbage takes approximately 6 minutes to cook in a pressure cooker. Please note that it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines at all times to prevent the risk of a pressure cooker blow up. I've included the details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Instant Pot Cabbage?

Shredded Cabbage takes approximately 6 minutes to cook in a pressure cooker.

What Else Can I Add to Jazz This Up a Bit?

In the sauté phase, you can add bacon, chopped onion, and/or fresh garlic.

Do You Have a Corned Beef Recipe That Would Pair Well With This Recipe?

I have a delicious keto corned beef and cabbage recipe that you can find here.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions for making Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  1. Remove outer leaves from cabbage, rinse in cool water, remove the core and thenchop.
  2. Add butter and olive oil to pot and allow the butter to melt over low heat.
  3. Add the shredded cabbage, salt, and black pepper to the above mixture and cover with water. Vegetable or chicken broth can be substituted for the water to add another dimension of flavor to this dish.
  4. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir occasionally.
  5. Once the water begins to boil lower heat and cover with a lid.
  6. Simmer for 15 minutes until the steamed cabbage is tender stirring occasionally.

Looking for More Side Dish Recipes?

  • Mom's Sweet and Sour Cabbage
  • Hot Bacon Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
Easy and Delicious Boiled Cabbage Recipe - The How-To Home (3)

💭Top tip

You'll want to make extra of this to save for a treat the next day. I think it's almost better as a leftover.

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Buttered Cabbage

Easy and delicious buttered cabbage - great side dish.

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Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds green cabbage 1 large head
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Remove outer leaves, rinse in cool water, remove the core, and then chop.

Stove Top Directions

  • Add butter and olive oil to pot and allow the butter to melt over low heat.

  • Add the shredded cabbage, salt, and black pepper to the above mixture and cover with water. Vegetable or chicken broth can be substituted for the water to add another dimension of flavor to this dish.

  • Bring to boil over medium-high heat and stir occasionally.

  • Once the water begins to boil, lower heat and cover with a lid.

  • Simmer for 15 minutes until the steamed cabbage is tender stirring occasionally.

Instant Pot Directions

  • Place water (or broth) and butter into Instant Pot.

  • Add shredded cabbage.

  • Close lid properly and make sure valve is set to "sealing".

  • Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.

  • Once done, allow pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes.

  • After 5 minutes press Cancel and use a SAFE quick release method (refer to manufacturer's instructions/user manual).

  • Once all pressure is safely released, remove lid.

  • Stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to slow cooker.

  • Cook on Low setting for 5 - 6 hours stirring occasionally until tender.

Notes

Make a little extra to have some the next day. I think it tastes better after everything has had a chance to mingle.

Recommended equipment and tools:

Pot - a good large pot with a lid. I prefer All-Clad but there are other quality brands as well.

Slotted Spoon

Instant Pot - This is the one I have and use often

Serving Bowl - something pretty to serve up your creation!

As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 242IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Mary Beth

Cost: $3.00

Easy and Delicious Boiled Cabbage Recipe - The How-To Home (5)
Easy and Delicious Boiled Cabbage Recipe - The How-To Home (6)

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Easy and Delicious Boiled Cabbage Recipe - The How-To Home (2024)

FAQs

How to properly boil cabbage? ›

Step 1Cut cabbage into wedges or slice it thin. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add cabbage. (It's OK to crowd the pot because the cabbage will shrink!) Step 2Boil until tender, about 5 minutes for shredded cabbage and 10 minutes for wedges.

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›

Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage.

What happens when you add baking soda to cabbage? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

How long to boil white cabbage on the stove? ›

Boil the cabbage for 12 to 15 minutes, until it is very tender (ours is generally done around 12 minutes). Drain the cabbage into a strainer. Place the cabbage in a large bowl with the butter, fresh ground pepper, and kosher salt (around ¾ teaspoon for a large head of cabbage).

How long does it take cabbage to boil? ›

How to boil cabbage. Put the cabbage leaves or shredded cabbage in a large pan and cover halfway with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 3-5 mins or until tender.

Do you boil cabbage with lid on or off? ›

How To Boil Cabbage
  1. In a saucepan, bring a small amount of water or stock to a boil. Add cabbage.
  2. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes. ...
  3. Cover the saucepan and continue to cook until crisp-tender (around 6 to 8 minutes for wedges and 3 to 5 minutes for chopped).
Feb 15, 2024

Why add baking soda to cabbage water? ›

The baking soda will soften the water in cooking beans or cabbage, and the vegetables will cook quicker and more thoroughly, but the alkali has a destructive effect on the vitamins present in these vegetables, and in all fresh foods.

What happens when you put salt in cabbage? ›

The salt pulls moisture out of the cabbage, seasons it, and leaves you with a super-crunchy texture that isn't raw or tough-tasting.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What can I add to cabbage to prevent gas? ›

Cabbage contains an insoluble sugar and a lot of fiber. These can cause gas in some people. However, there are some herbs that might be useful, cooked with the cabbage, to reduce the amount of gas. These include dill seed, sage, caraway, basil, oregano, ginger, fennel, and allspice.

How do you take the bitterness out of cabbage? ›

Chop and soak: Soaking chopped cabbage in cold water for about 15 minutes will leach out most of the bitter and harsh flavor compounds, while also making the cabbage crisper. This is especially vital for leaf cabbage, but also works with firmer head cabbage varieties.

Can you overcook boiled cabbage? ›

The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it.

Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

Do you boil cabbage in hot or cold water? ›

Boil cabbage by cleaning and preparing it, then cooking it in hot water for just a few minutes.

How much water do you use when boiling cabbage? ›

Add about 8 cups of water to a pot.

Does cabbage need to be washed before boiling? ›

Cabbage. The outer layer isn't going to be eaten—the leaves are tougher and undesirable to many—so why wash cabbage? There's a good reason: Worms or other insects could be inside the cabbage, so to be safe, follow these steps for cleaning and washing it.

How do you boil cabbage without it falling apart? ›

How to boil cabbage wedges without them falling apart? Don't overboil your boiled cabbage wedges – this is the main reason the wedges tend to fall apart. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes on one side then turn it carefully and simmer again for 8 minutes.

Is Boiling cabbage good for you? ›

A cup of boiled cabbage has just 33 calories. It is low in fat and high in fiber. Furthermore, cabbage increases excretion and detoxification, which speeds weight reduction and improves liver health.

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