Top 12 Things to Do with Cabbage

Okay, cabbage might not be the most exciting food on the menu plan.  But it is one of those foods that you can do a lot with.  And it is surprisingly just how many health benefits you can get from eating the stuff.  So let’s celebrate the humble vegetable by looking at those benefits along with 12 things to do with cabbage.

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What is cabbage?

Let’s start with a bit of an introduction.  Cabbage is actually a series of plants of the Brassica oleracea family.  It can be annual or bi-annual (two year) and is cousin to the broccoli and the cauliflower as well as Brussell sprouts.  Cabbage can be white, purple or green, smooth leaved or have crinkly leaves and there are loads of layers on each vegetable.  Some of the most well-known types include:

• Green cabbage – this is the most commonly used type that most of us will have encountered in anything from coleslaw to sauerkraut. It is a firm and dense cabbage with smooth leaves
• White cabbage – a white coloured cabbage that is also known as Dutch cabbage
• Red cabbage – similar in size and shape to green but obviously it is a red or purple shade and is commonly used in stir fry dishes as well as in salads
• Savoy cabbage – an Italian variety that has crinkly leaves as well as a milder and sweeter flavour that is often used in steamed dishes
• Bok choy – Chinese variety of cabbage often used in Asian dishes which has a peppery taste
• Spring greens – loose headed type of cabbage that is often sliced and steamed

Health benefits of cabbage

While adding colour and flavour to meals, cabbage also comes with quite an impressive list of benefits for health and wellness.

For starters it is high in Vitamin C – in fact it has more than oranges which are famous as the top source of the vitamin.  Vitamin C is an antioxidant that repairs the damage that is done to the body by free radicals and can help with anything from dealing with ulcers, helping fight cancer and boosting the immune system.  It also helps with wound healing and regulating the nervous system.

Fibre is often known as roughage and is the stuff that helps the body process the food we put into it.  Cabbage is high in fibre and helps to retain water inside the body while moving the bulky bits of food away through the digestive system.

Cabbage also contains beta carotene which is useful for eye health, particularly as we get older.  It can prevent macular degeneration in the eyes and even help delay the formation of cataracts.  The stuff has also been shown in some studies to have a positive effect on prostate cancer.

Things to do with cabbage

Now we are sold on the potential of cabbage, it is time to look at what we can do with it.  And there are plenty of options for that.

1.       Braised cabbage

Braised cabbage is a simple side dish that can work with a wide variety of meats.  It is easy to make as well.  All you need is cabbage, olive oil, vinegar and brown sugar and add them all to the pot or even a slow cooker.  Leave it to simmer until the cabbage is tender, usually around an hour.  Red or purple cabbages are popular for this dish.

2.      Coleslaw

Coleslaw is super simple and hugely varied to get the perfect accompaniment to a meal – we eat it with all sorts including jacket potatoes.  You can take a favourite cabbage (Mum favours Sweetheart for hers) and shred it up.  Then mix it with other ingredients such as onion, carrot, grated cheese, or anything else you like.  Add some mayonnaise or a favourite dressing and mix it all together with salt and pepper to taste.  You can add fruit, nuts, herbs and anything else you want to add to the taste.

3.       Salad

If you like the idea of coleslaw but want to drop out the mayonnaise or dressing, then you can just make a salad with it.  Shred the cabbage and add with green salad ingredients, toss with a little olive oil and add other favourites such as red onion, herbs or nuts. Or add cabbage and onion with other salad ingredients and serve with a little dressing.

4.      Soup

Soup is something you can easily make with cabbage and other ingredients.  A rustic cabbage soup uses potatoes and white beans alongside a favourite cabbage while a classic Borscht uses beetroot, carrot, potato, onion and garlic with the cabbage and some tomatoes. Cabbage with bacon and other vegetables is another simple basis for a tasty soup.

5.      Cabbage rolls

Cabbage rolls are literally rolls of cabbage with ingredients stuffed into them.  For instance, you could add rice, onion and beans to make the stuffed cabbage then add a tomato pasta sauce and some strong cheddar cheese on the top.  Or choose other fillings you enjoy and add them instead.

6.     Kimchi

Kimchi is a condiment that goes with other dishes and is a spicy Korean mixture of cabbage with garlic, ginger, sugar, red pepper, Korean radish and scallions.  Most recipes use Napa cabbage, which is popular in Asian dishes.

7.       Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is a fermented or preserved cabbage that has a long history. It was used in Germany and Eastern Europe to preserve the vegetables for the winter.  If you aren’t keen on cooking the cabbage, this is another option. You can buy it ready made in many supermarkets or make your own and it is often serves with sausages, pork or on hot dogs.

8.      Colcannon

Colcannon is a classic Irish dish that mixes the cabbage (or kale) with mashed potatoes, onions and spices.  Kale is actually a type of wild cabbage, so it can often substitute for it in dishes and is ideal if you aren’t a cabbage fan – or use some of both.

Recipe ideas

9.      Beef & Cabbage Casserole

This comfort food dish is made a bit like a lasagne for cabbage.  Take half a head of cabbage and layer half of in a dish then add sliced potato.  Pour over some tomato sauce with a little Tabasco and cinnamon added then the rest of the cabbage.  Add a little more tomato sauce, cover and bake for around an hour and a quarter.  You can also top with a favourite cheese just like a lasagne too.

10.  Chicken Fajitas with Crunch Lime Cabbage and Avocado

For this recipe, take some flour tortillas and use either red or Napa cabbage.  Slice some chicken breast and slice the cabbage then add red bell pepper, garlic, cilantro (coriander) as well as a little lime juice and some avocado.  Wrap them and enjoy for a light lunch or add a favourite potato dish or rice for a larger meal.

11.   Southern Fried Cabbage

This is a recipe I came across that wasn’t one I was familiar with but is popular in parts of the US.  You shred a small green cabbage and heat four teaspoons of bacon fat in a skillet on high heat.  Toss the cabbage and stir until it glistens then lower the heat and add two tablespoons of red pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon of salt.  Cook for another 10 minutes and serve.

12.  Corned Beef & Cabbage

This is a ‘classic Irish dish’ that isn’t actually eaten that often in Ireland!  It is associated with St Patrick’s Day in the US and therefore is seen as an Irish dish.

More Cabbage Recipes and Ideas