Cabbage is suddenly being hailed as the coolest vegetable of the moment. Here we present a delightful array of vegan cabbage recipes that showcase its versatility and economy. Common green cabbage as well as savoy, napa, and red cabbage are featured in the recipes ahead.
The cardinal rule is that as long as you don’t overcook it, cabbage can make many dishes shine, either as a main or supporting ingredient. And of course, it’s fantastic in an array of salads and slaws.
Which cabbage varieties are interchangeable? Green and savoy cabbage are most interchangeable. Red cabbage, while having a similar flavor and texture as common green cabbage, needs a special touch so as not to lose its vivid color. And napa cabbage has a character of its own, though in some cases you can swap in savoy or green cabbage.
Make sure to see lots more in our Guide to Common Cabbage Varieties with Tips & Ideas. Now, on to the recipes …
Green cabbage and/or savoy cabbage recipes
Vegan Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Skillet: It’s easy to transform the original meaty version of this recipe to make a hearty vegan sausage and cabbage skillet. The addition of potatoes makes it a substantial main dish.
Spicy Asian Noodle Stir-Fry with Plant-Based Ground & Cabbage: Plant protein mingled with cabbage and plenty of garlic and scallion, it’s an easy, luscious dish for noodle fans.
Stir-Fried Soba Noodles with Corn and Cabbage: This tasty Asian-inspired dish of stir-fried soba noodles, featuring plenty of cabbage and corn teams especially well with tofu dishes.
Sesame Soba Noodles with Leafy Greens: An Asian-flavored dish of sesame soba noodles is laced through with collard greens (or lacinato kale) and green or savoy cabbage.
Hungarian Cabbage Noodles: Traditionally made with egg noodles, this easy 5-ingredient vegan version swaps in bowtie pasta, though you use any short, chunky shape you have on hand.
Vegan Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup: A hearty bowlful of cold-weather comfort, this classic gets a bit more heft with homemade croutons nestled into each serving.
Vegan Kale and Cabbage Colcannon: In colcannon, the classic Irish recipe, potatoes, cabbage, and/or kale are lightly browned in a skillet. In this vegan version, both kale and cabbage are used, as well as a generous amount of scallion.
Easy Plant Protein and Coleslaw Soft Tacos: It’s easy to make your own tasty plant protein soft tacos using any of the “beefy” vegan crumbles available these days. It makes a flavorul contrast with the cool cabbage slaw.
Cabbage Steaks: From Easy and Delish, these tasty cabbage steaks can be made in the air fryer or oven, or on the grill. Tender on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside.
Slow-Cooker Dill Cabbage Steaks Over Rainbow Potatoes: Contributed by Kathy Hester, plant-based slow cooking expert, who writes: “I have to admit that I was skeptical about cabbage steaks, but once I tried them, I was hooked. This takes very little effort and makes the perfect stick-to-your-ribs meal.”
Easy Cabbage and Corn Slaw with Fresh Dill: Cabbage and corn kernels are combined in a coleslaw marriage made in salad heaven. This easy cabbage and corn slaw, flavored with fresh dill, goes well with most any kind of meal.
Easy Creamy Coleslaw and Portobello Wraps: Teriyaki-glazed mushrooms and creamy coleslaw make a dynamic duo in portobello wraps that are equally good for lunch or dinner.
Red cabbage recipes
Braised Red Cabbage with Red Wine and Apple: Here’s an easy recipe for braised red cabbage, richly flavored with red wine, apple and a touch of maple syrup. It’s a versatile side dish that goes well with many kinds of cool-weather meals.
Bok Choy and Red Cabbage Salad with Snow Peas: In this colorful bok choy salad recipe, the combination of crisp snow peas, bok choy, sprouts, and red cabbage is so appealing, and it’s a feast for the eyes, too.
Sesame-Ginger Red Cabbage and Carrot Slaw: It’s not always easy to pair Asian-style dishes with salad, but this sesame-ginger red cabbage and carrot slaw might just be the perfect accompaniment.
Fruity Red Cabbage Slaw: When your dinner plate could use some color and crunch, this fruit-filled red cabbage and carrot slaw is a pleasing option.
Daikon and Carrot Salad with Red Cabbage: Daikon radish in a cold dish is especially compatible with Asian-themed meals. This interpretation gets a burst of color with red cabbage, and extra crunch with sesame seeds.
Apple and Kohlrabi Slaw: Kohlrabi is a crunchy, sweet vegetable that’s perfect for refreshing salads like this apple and kohlrabi coleslaw made with two kinds of cabbage (napa and red), contributed by chef Bryant Terry.
Crunchy and Colorful Cabbage Apple Slaw: Featuring crisp apples, red and/or green cabbage, and a lemony dressing, this easy salad goes with many kinds of meals.
Rainbow Salad Bowl: You don’t have to slavishly follow a recipe to make an eye-popping rainbow salad bowl. Simply use plenty of colorful veggies and serve in an arrangement by color.
Sesame Stir-Fried Kale and Red Cabbage: This simple and pretty preparation of stir-fried kale and red cabbage proves that this hardy green is perfect for flash-cooking over high heat.
Purple Rainy Day Soup: Boldly magenta, or perhaps violently violet, this stew-like soup of a different hue features purple potatoes (or purple yams), black quinoa, and red cabbage. Created by Hannah Kaminsky, this soup is as delicious as it is visually stunning.
Napa cabbage recipes
Quick Tofu Vegetable Soup with Napa Cabbage: When you need a fast way to warm up, here’s a soup that’s on the table quickly. Following an onion sauté, napa (or savoy) cabbage, mushrooms, baby corn, snow or snap peas, and tofu need only the briefest of time on the stove.
Asian-Flavored Cabbage and Kale Slaw: But when you combine cabbage and kale in a single salad and give them an Asian spin, it takes these two cruciferous vegetables to another level. This no-mayo slaw is crunchy, savory, and downright addictive!
Kale and Cabbage Salad with Baby Corn and Bok Choy: Kale is quite compatible with Asian flavors when used as a salad green. This colorful kale and cabbage salad is especially good with the napa variety, but the other green cabbages — or even red cabbage — work as well.
Napa Cabbage and Kimchi Coleslaw is a great choice for serving as a side dish with Korean specialities and other Asian-style dishes. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, it’s a slaw with a spicy kick.
Noodles with Shiitake Mushrooms, Napa Cabbage, & Tofu: Embellished with napa cabbage, bell pepper, and scallions, here’s a quick noodle and napa dish flavored with ginger, readymade teriyaki sauce, and an optional blast of Chinese black bean sauce.
Green Goodness Vegetable Lo Mein: It’s so easy to make vegetable lo mein, a Chinese restaurant favorite, and this homemade version is bursting with flavorful green vegetables.
Winter Vegetable Miso Soup: Surprisingly substantial, this winter vegetable miso soup features roots, cabbage (preferably napa), tofu, and shiitake mushrooms.
Stir-Fried Chard with Napa Cabbage: This dish is downright addictive, served on its own or over hot cooked rice or noodles. Napa cabbage is a superb companion to dark leafy greens, adding a lighter texture and flavor as well as visual interest.
Vegan Kimchi Soup: Featuring bok choy, cabbage, and mushrooms, this adapted classic is ready to eat quickly. It’s sure to become a favorite of vegetarian and vegan kimchi fans!
Easy Green Cabbage Kimchi: From Attainable Sustainable, a step by step how-to for making a traditional kimchi with napa cabbage. Here’s our roundup of kimchi recipes to use it in!
Sunshine Napa Cabbage Kimchi: This vibrant, turmeric and ginger-infused napa cabbage kimchi (excerpted from Mississippi Vegan by Timothy Pakron) is crunchy, zesty, and tangy — the perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, and wraps. It can also be tossed into fried rice or a vegetable stir-fry.
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