How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy?

Cook on high heat : Quickly sautéing or stir-frying over high heat helps maintain the cabbage's texture and color. Don't cook for too long: Cabbage cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it. It should be tender-crisp, not mushy. Add acid: A splash of vinegar or lemon juice can help brighten the flavor and slow down the.

Why is Napa cabbage good for stir frying?

The flavor is a lot sweeter compared to green cabbage; the leaves are more tender and thinner, hence are suitable for quick cooking or used in flavoring soups. If you're new to this Asian vegetable, you can read more about its health benefits, how to buy the best, how to store it, and all the information here.

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.

Which is healthier green cabbage or napa cabbage?

What is the healthiest type of cabbage? Napa and regular cabbage are both low-fat, low-calorie and low-carb, but the nutritious profile of napa cabbage offers higher levels of vitamins C, K and folate than green cabbage . It also delivers higher levels of essential minerals.

What cabbage do Chinese restaurants use?

There are a few different kinds of Chinese cabbage, but Napa cabbage is the most popular in the group. Most grocery stores label Napa varieties as “Chinese cabbage,” but beware: they may also put bok choy, pak choy or other Asian greens under the same label.

Is Napa cabbage healthier than regular cabbage?

Both are excellent sources of important vitamins and minerals. Regular cabbage contains more calcium, zinc and potassium than napa, but napa cabbage contains higher levels of vitamins A, B3, iron and copper . Napa is also lower in sodium than regular cabbage.

How do you keep cabbage crisp?

If you're not quite ready to use your head of cabbage, don't rinse it, put it in a plastic bag, and store it in the crisper drawer of the fridge . You will be shocked at how long it will remain vibrant and crisp.

Why is my cooked cabbage mushy?

Cooking green cabbage too long This can be especially noticeable when boiling or simmering cabbage for an extended period. But, it's not just the bad smell you have to contend with. Overcooking cabbage causes it to become mushy and limp . It can also lose its vibrant green color.

How long to boil cabbage until soft?

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 .

Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

Home » Course » Entree » Spicy Cabbage Stir Fry

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Cabbage Stir Fry is an Asian-inspired recipe with stir-fried cabbage, red bell pepper, carrots, and green onions in a light and flavorful sauce. It’s a quick and easy, healthy vegan side dish or main meal ready in 30 minutes!

Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (1)

Inspired by a similar recipe from the NY Times, I thought it needed to be added to the recipe collection. I didn’t go too far from the original recipe, only adding red pepper flakes because I love spiciness (feel free to omit this if you’re not a fan of spice).

This is an absolutely quick and delicious meal that I find myself craving! It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect go-to recipe when you need something fast and healthy. Serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles – or simply enjoy as is!

Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2)

Table of Contents show

Ingredients You’ll Need

In this recipe, cabbage, red pepper, and carrots are stir-fried, tossed with crispy tofu, and served with a grain of choice for healthy vegan stir fry.

How To Make Cabbage Stir Fry

(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)

Prep the veggies.
Cook up your tofu.

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Stir-fry the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for 1 minute.
Add the cabbage, red bell pepper, green onions, and stir fry for 2 – 3 minutes.

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Add the tamari, rice vinegar, and water, stir fry for 5 minutes, until cabbage softens and wilts.
Season with salt (or garlic salt) and more tamari or rice vinegar to taste.
Optionally, add the cooked tofu towards the end of cooking and cook until warmed through.

And now you’re ready to serve!

Top Tips

Season well. Be sure to season well for the best flavor. If you find it bland at all, add more salt. Even a little pepper would be great!
Make it oil-free. Make this oil-free by using 1/4 cup of water when stir-frying the cabbage. If using a non-stick pan for cooking the tofu, you can omit the oil. Alternatively, bake the tofu on a lined baking sheet in a preheated oven set to 400 for 20 – 25 minutes.

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How To Store + Reheat

Refrigerator: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days in a covered container
Freezer: This cabbage stir fry can be stored in the freezer for 2 – 3 months. To freeze, let cool completely and store in freezer safe containers(affiliate link), leaving 1/2 inch headspace for expansion. You can also freeze larger portions in large ziplock bags (remove as much air as possible before zip-locking). Let thaw before reheating.
Reheat: Simply re-warm on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through, adding a little tamari or veg broth for moisture as needed. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave using 30 – 60 second intervals, stirring after each, until warm.

Serving Suggestions

Served as a side or main dish, this savory cabbage stir fry is versatile and pairs well with a variety of other flavors. Here are a few of my favorite options:

Toppings: Top with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and fresh cilantro.
Grain: Serve with jasmine rice, brown rice, black rice, or this Cilantro Lime Rice or Instant Pot Quinoa.
Side: Would be great with a side of Kimchi!
Soup:Pair with a small bowl of soup like thisRoasted Garlic Miso Soup,Simple Miso Noodle Soup,orSimple Vegan Pho.
Salad:Pair with this freshChineseChopped Salad.

Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (7)

More Easy Asian Recipes!

Vegetable Lo Mein(30-Minutes + Healthy)
Vegan Tofu Poke Bowl
Black Pepper Tofu
Simple Vegan Pho
Vegan Kimchi
Tempeh Chow Mein
See allvegan Asian recipeson TSV!

Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (8)

If you try this easy cabbage recipe, please let me know!Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

SPICY CABBAGE STIR FRY

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
12 ounces organic tofu (firm or extra firm), cut into dominoes
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
2 – 3 large garlic cloves, minced
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 small cabbage (about 1 1/2 lbs.), finely shredded (red, green or both)
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 carrot or 1 cup baby carrots, cut into matchsticks
4 green onions, sliced (reserve one green onion for garnish)
2 – 4 tablespoons tamari ,low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
1 – 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
salt + pepper, to taste

to serve

sesame seeds
scallions (green onions), thinly sliced
grain of choice (soba or ramen noodles or quinoa, basmati or jasmine rice), optional

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Crispy tofu: Cut the tofu into dominoes and press between paper towels or dish cloth. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan, add tofu and cook for 5 – 8 minutes on each side, until lightly golden in color. Season with salt and garlic powder (or garlic salt). Transfer tofu to a small plate.

Stir fry: Heat 14 inch wok or large skillet over medium- high heat, add 1 remaining tablespoon of oil, add garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add cabbage, red bell pepper, carrots, green onions, tamari, rice vinegar and water, stir fry for 5 – 7 minutes, or until cabbage wilts and veggies soften. Add the tofu to the cabbage stir fry 2 minutes before done to warm through. Taste for seasoning, adding salt to taste.

Serve cabbage stir fry with cooked grain of choice and garnish with sesame seeds, green onions and/or cilantro.

Serves 4

Notes

Oil-Free: Make this oil free by using 1/4 cup water when stir frying the cabbage. If using a non-stick pan for cooking the tofu, you can omit the oil. Alternatively, bake the tofu on a lined baking sheet in a preheated oven set to 400 for 20 – 25 minutes.

Updated: This recipe was first published in February 2013. It has been updated with new photos and helpful tips in April 2020.

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