Boiled Cabbage

While boiled cabbage might not be the most glamorous side dish, what it lacks in rizz is more than made up for by its superfood status. This cruciferous vegetable is full of fiber, rich in antioxidants and packed with vitamins and minerals. While there are many ways to prepare cabbage, one of the easiest is to boil it. Unlike recipes for southern cabbage, which simmer the cabbage in a small amount of liquid, this recipe calls for submerging the cabbage in cooking liquid. The technique results in tender and flavorful cabbage.

When choosing the best type of cabbage for this recipe, look for either green or savoy cabbage in your grocery store. Green cabbage and savoy cabbage are very similar in appearance, although savoy cabbage has softer leaves with a frilly or crinkled look.

Boiled Cabbage Ingredients

• Cabbage: This boiled cabbage recipe calls for a medium head of cabbage cut into wedges. When choosing a head of cabbage in the grocery store, look for one that is heavy for its size, has crisp leaves and a dry stem. The leaves should also be vibrant in color and free of blemishes.
• Liquid: Boil cabbage in water or low-sodium chicken broth. For a vegetarian dish, use low-sodium vegetable broth.
• Butter: After boiling, the cabbage is sauteed in butter for a richer flavor.
• Seasoning: This boiled cabbage recipe is seasoned simply with salt and pepper.

How to Boil Cabbage

Step 1: Boil the cabbage

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Place cabbage wedges in a Dutch oven and cover them with chicken broth or water. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Cover the pot and reduce it to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cabbage is tender. Drain the liquid.

Step 2: Cook and season the cabbage

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Add butter to the pot. Season the cabbage with salt and pepper and toss the cabbage until the butter melts and coats the cabbage.

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Boiled Cabbage Variations

• Add bacon: For savory flavor, add bacon to the boiled cabbage. Cut a half-pound of bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. After removing the boiled cabbage from the Dutch oven, add the bacon to the Dutch oven and cook it until it’s crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the pan. Add the cabbage back into the pan and season it with salt and pepper, tossing to coat. Then stir in the crispy bacon, heat it through and serve the cabbage.
• Give it some spice: For more flavorful boiled cabbage, you can replace the salt with seasoned salt. You can also spice it up by adding seasonings like cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes or a seasoning blend like Cajun or Creole seasoning.
• Drizzle on a sauce: Finish the cooked, boiled cabbage with a drizzle of apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice or, for a kick of heat, Sriracha or hot sauce.

How to Store Boiled Cabbage

Store leftover boiled cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It lasts four to five days when stored correctly.

Can you freeze boiled cabbage?

Yes, you can freeze boiled cabbage. Once cooled, transfer the cooked cabbage to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it. It’s best not to refreeze thawed cooked cabbage.

How do you reheat boiled cabbage?

For the best results, reheat boiled cabbage in a pan on the stovetop. Add a little oil to the pan, then cook it over medium heat until it’s heated through.

Boiled Cabbage Tips

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How do you avoid smelly boiled cabbage?

The downside of boiling cabbage is that it can be smelly; cabbage leaves release sulfurous compounds as they cook. To avoid smelly boiled cabbage, don’t overcook it. The key is knowing how long to boil cabbage: You want it to be just tender, so start checking it at the 15-minute mark. Cabbage also has a reputation for, um, making things smelly. Boiling cabbage is one method that helps to reduce this vegetable’s gassy side-effects.

What should you serve with boiled cabbage?

Boiled cabbage is a classic pairing with corned beef or bangers and mash. Other entrees to serve with boiled cabbage include grilled pork chops, roast chicken and meat loaf.

How else can you use boiled cabbage?

Many dishes use boiled cabbage as a key ingredient. Colcannon is one of our favorites, combining boiled cabbage with mashed potatoes, green onions and plenty of butter and milk. You can chop the boiled cabbage and combine it with egg noodles to make haluski.

You could also use leftover boiled cabbage to make the classic British dish called bubble and squeak. To make it, combine the boiled cabbage with an equal amount of mashed, boiled or roasted potatoes. Heat two tablespoons of butter in a frying pan, then add the cabbage-potato mixture to the pan. Fry it over medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the underside is golden brown. Carefully flip it over and cook the other side.