23 Healthy Cabbage Recipes (2024)

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It’s easy for cabbage to get lost in the produce section when it has to compete with spotlight-grabbing superfoods like curly kale, vibrant beets, and pretty little cauliflower florets.

That’s a shame, because this cruciferous veggie is just as nutritious as its “sexier” counterparts: Just 1 cup contains almost 50 percent of your daily dose of vitamin C, and it’s brimming fiber and antioxidants.

Best of all, it’s super versatile and can be anything from a pizza topping to a low carb noodle substitute. Need proof? These 24 recipes show there’s so much more to cabbage than coleslaw.

1. Red cabbage chips with tomato yogurt dipping sauce

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Known for topping pita bread, za’atar (an aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend) is used here to coat red cabbage leaves, which are then roasted until crisp and dunked into a lemony yogurt.

They may be lower in carbs than traditional chips and dip, but they’re just as crunchy and satisfying.

2. Deconstructed egg rolls

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If all the stuffing, rolling, sealing, and frying sounds too involved, here’s a low-maintenance solution that’ll satisfy your egg roll craving without all the work (and the greasy residue).

Just dry-sear the wontons in a pan to get them crunchy before topping them with the sesame-flavored cabbage mixture.

3. Cabbage salsa

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With scallions, jalapeños, and cilantro, this is a pretty classic salsa recipe — except that shredded cabbage takes the place of tomatoes as the main ingredient. (Adorable cactus cup not included.)

4. Red cabbage wraps with quinoa and goat cheese

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Higher in vitamin C than its green sibling, red cabbage makes this dish super nutritious, not to mention light enough to serve as an appetizer or side dish.Parks S, et al. (2013). Quantification of glucosinolates, anthocyanins, free amino acids, and vitamin C in inbred lines of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.08.010

Use it to hold a high protein mixture of goat cheese and quinoa for a gluten-free dish that may just steal the spotlight from the entrée.

5. 10-minute healthy cabbage bowls

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This is another recipe that uses cabbage as a serving vehicle, but with a Mexican flair. Tomatoes, avocado, and black beans make a hearty filling for the leafy “bowls.”

With healthy fats, filling protein, and fiber-packed carbs, the result is both perfectly balanced and beautiful.

6. Garlic-roasted cabbage

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Just four ingredients and a single cooking technique can be enough to transform cabbage into a star.

Brushed with a good-for-your-heart blend of garlic and olive oil, the cabbage slices hang out in an oven until they’re a tad charred, slightly sweet, and completely delicious.

7. Napa cabbage stir-fry

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Cabbage is the sole vegetable in this simple stir-fry. Seasoned with a sweet, spicy, and savory combo of soy and rice vinegar, it’s a quick 10-minute departure from a regular ol’ salad.

8. Riesling-braised red cabbage and corn

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Cabbage is anything but plain when tossed in butter, soaked in a German riesling, and kicked up with spicy mustard and fresh rosemary. If this is how they serve cabbage in Germany, sign us up for a trip across the pond!

9. Thai coconut cabbage soup

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Soaked in a fragrant coconut broth, shredded cabbage softens to an almost noodle-like consistency, making this dish perfect for those who crave that carby texture but want to keep things on the lighter side.

Add plenty of herbs and spices like turmeric, lemongrass, and ginger to boost the flavors of the veggies and up the antioxidant content of this soothing soup.

10. Curried corn and cabbage soup

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Thicker than broth but not quite as rich as chowder, this soup gets its creamy texture from potatoes, corn, and white beans. But cabbage still makes its presence known (an entire head of it goes into the recipe!), providing a contrasting crunch.

The soup is also a great way to reap the health benefits of curry powder’s curcuminHewlings SJ, et al. (2017). Curcumin: A review of its’ effects on human health. DOI: 10.3390/foods6100092 without the cream and high fat content of most curries.

11. Healthy cabbage soup

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This is far from the watery gruel of the infamous cabbage soup diet. Lean ground turkey provides satisfying protein, and red pepper flakes and garlic guarantee that the word “tasteless” doesn’t come anywhere near this soup.

12. Asian red cabbage salad

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The cabbage’s vibrant red hue makes this meal a gorgeous addition to your dinner table. Jazzed up with Asian flavorings like rice vinegar and a touch of sesame oil, it’s crunchy, tangy, sweet, and spicy all at once.

13. Creamy Thai slaw with baked wonton chips

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This cabbage slaw gets its creaminess (and a whole lotta protein) from Greek yogurt, which also helps temper the spice of the chili sauce. Eat it on its own or serve it with baked wonton chips for a scoopable starter.

14. Napa cabbage salad with sweet tamari-sesame dressing

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If the idea of raw cabbage freaks you out, don’t worry: You won’t be gnawing on bland, fibrous shreds.

The cruciferous veggie teams up with carrots, bell peppers, and sunflower seeds and then gets doused in a just-sweet-enough dressing, kicking any misconceptions about boring raw food to the curb.

15. Red cabbage beet slaw with cranberries

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If you’re trying to “eat the rainbow,” this salad will take care of the red category. With a trifecta of antioxidant-rich ingredients (red cabbage, beets, cranberries), this magenta mix is a dream for your palate!

16. Cabbage pancakes with spicy dipping sauce

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These mini, gluten-free versions of Japanese okonomiyaki have tons of fiber, thanks in part to coconut flour. An innovative soy-yogurt dipping sauce adds a modern twist.

17. Unstuffed cabbage casserole

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If you love cabbage rolls but don’t have the time to make them one by one, consider this deconstructed solution. Sauté cabbage roll ingredients, throw ’em in a dish, and call it a casserole! You still get all the flavors in one bite.

18. Stuffed cabbage cake

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This dish proves cabbage knows how to make a statement. Flexible leaves of savoy cabbage envelop a hearty filling of meat, rice, and garlicky marinara. Easier than it looks, it’s guaranteed to wow any dinner guest.

19. Tofu veggie bowl with cabbage noodles

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Cabbage “noodles” make another appearance in this light yet filling one-bowl meal, adding nutrients you wouldn’t find in regular pasta, including vitamin C.

Meanwhile, tofu bulks up the dish and walnuts and coconut oil provide the fats needed to keep you satisfied.

20. Amish one-pan ground beef and cabbage skillet

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Requiring fewer than 10 ingredients and just one pan, this quick skillet meal will keep you from resorting to takeout.

A head of cabbage cooks down until soft but still crunchy while beef (or turkey, if you’re cutting down on red meat) and tomatoes simmer alongside.

21. Roasted brussels sprout and red cabbage pizza

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Get to know the cabbage family even better by incorporating its mini cousin into your meal. Vitamin C-packed brussels sprouts roast in honey and olive oil before being scattered over the pizza dough.

Red cabbage and toasted walnuts join the sprouts atop the pizza to bake to caramelized perfection. It’s an unconventional pizza topping combo, but you may just start choosing it over pepperoni.

22. Lemony cabbage and pasta

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Cabbage doesn’t just have to substitute for pasta; it can also enhance it. Both ingredients shine in this hearty dish that gets livened up with lemon juice and sunflower seeds.

It’s a fresh, fast, and delicious way to get your daily dose of fiber and satisfy a carb craving.

23. Vegetarian stuffed cabbage rolls with quinoa, onions, and carrots

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We couldn’t just pick a traditional cabbage roll recipe. And why would we when a dish like this appeals to herbivores and meat eaters alike?

Wrapped in curly cabbage leaves and baked with tomato sauce, quinoa replaces beef as the protein source and adds potassium and antioxidants. We promise nobody will miss the meat.

There’s so much more in the world of cabbage than just coleslaw, friends. It turns out that this humble veggie can stand its ground in a soup, salad, or tasty main dish. We’ll never skip cabbage in the produce section again.

Now, if only we could figure out how to turn cabbage into a dessert…

23 Healthy Cabbage Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat cabbage? ›

Although you get different nutrients if you cook or ferment it, raw red cabbage in particular might give you the best nutritional boost per serving. Slice it very thinly and leave it for about 10 minutes to help bring out the fullest, most complex flavors. Then add it to salads or sandwiches or turn it into coleslaw.

Is it okay to eat cabbage every day? ›

It is important to note that, while it is true that eating cabbage may support weight-management goals, this veggie should not be overconsumed, as too much cabbage can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, like bloating. It is also important to enjoy cabbage as a part of a balanced and healthy diet.

Does cabbage help with inflammation? ›

The antioxidants in cabbage help reduce inflammation, which is linked to heart disease. Cabbage also contains something called anthocyanins. Several studies have found these compounds can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Can I drink cabbage juice every day? ›

Cabbage is a healthy, delicious, and versatile vegetable that can be a great addition to your diet. Adding cabbage to your daily juice can provide a dose of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut-health-promoting compounds, which may benefit your health in a number of ways.

How many times a week should you eat cabbage? ›

To get the most benefit, try to consume ½ to ¾ cup cooked or 1 ½ cup raw cabbage per day at least 5 days per week. This is pretty easy to do since there are so many ways to prepare cabbage. Traditional methods of steaming or boiling cabbage can extract flavor and nutrients.

How to cook cabbage for health benefits? ›

Here's how you make it:
  1. Prep the cabbage and onion. Cut the cabbage in half, slice out the core and chop into thin slices. ...
  2. Cook the onions and garlic. Add the ghee to a large skillet over medium-high heat. ...
  3. Cook the cabbage. Add the cabbage to the skillet and sauté for about 12-15 minutes. ...
  4. Season. ...
  5. Serve.
Sep 19, 2023

When should you not eat cabbage? ›

Under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism): Cabbage might make this condition worse. Check with your healthcare provider before consuming cabbage if you have an under-active thyroid gland. Surgery: Cabbage might affect blood sugar levels and could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.

Is cabbage healthier, cooked or raw? ›

Cooked carrots, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage, peppers and many other vegetables also supply more antioxidants, such as carotenoids and ferulic acid, to the body than they do when raw, Liu says. At least, that is, if they're boiled or steamed.

Does cabbage detox the body? ›

Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.

What is the number one vegetable for inflammation? ›

Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, arugula and kale are rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that helps decrease inflammation. They also contain soluble fiber, which keeps digestion on track.

Is cabbage good for joint pain? ›

Eating raw cabbage is suitable for people with arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory flavonoids, sulforaphane, and kaempferol.

What is the side effect of cabbage? ›

An increase in goitrin and thiocyanates inhibits thyroid function and benzyl cyanide can result in potential adverse effects (dermal and respiratory manifestations). Eating cabbage in excess can result in abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and flatulence.

Is cabbage good for hair? ›

Stimulates hair growth:

Cabbage is high in nutrients, such as vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur. Cabbage is high in vitamin A, which provides antioxidants that stimulates hair growth. Cabbage nourishes your hair and makes it smooth and shining.

Is cabbage healthier than lettuce? ›

Both cabbage and iceberg lettuce are good sources of nutrients. However, cabbage contains significantly more vitamins and minerals than iceberg lettuce, including vitamins C and K, folate, and potassium ( 1 , 2 ). In particular, green cabbage is packed with antioxidants, including polyphenol compounds and vitamin C.

Does over cooking cabbage destroy nutrients? ›

Boiling and cooking vegetables in high temperatures or in water can also decrease their nutrient level. Water soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins are often lost during these cooking methods. Minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc may be reduced by up to 60-70%.

Does cabbage clean your gut? ›

Packed with phytosterols (plant sterols) and insoluble fiber, cabbage can help keep your digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular. It fuels the good bacteria in your gut that protects your immune system and produces essential nutrients.

Is cabbage easier to digest raw or cooked? ›

One way to cut down on some of the gas-producing effects is to choose cooked cabbage over raw. “Generally speaking, cooking can help reduce this effect by 'softening' the fiber, making it a little bit easier on the digestive system,” explains Cording.

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