Spicy Stir-Fried Cabbage Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Ben

After you stir-fry for one to two minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt, then add the salt and wine/soy sauce mixture. But before you cover and cook over high heat, turn off the heat and let the cabbage sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then continue with the recipe. It makes the seasonings better blended and more flavorful.

River BOB

Great taste, had Napa cabbage that was almost over it's prime, did not have any dry sherry so used 1 TBS of Mirin and 1 TBS of Rice Vinegar. Also used Red Pepper instead of Carrot. Love the slightly spice flavor and a crunch still remains. Will make again, perhaps finish with toasted sesame seeds.

Sue Dennett

Added more garlic and ginger and toasted sesame seeds and roasted peanuts it was delicious!

Josephine

Recipe turned out great with Savoy cabbage. I used coconut oil for sautéing and an orange bell pepper instead of a carrot for color.

Jennifer

This is a fantastic recipe. I'm serving this as a side item to pork tenderloin. My only suggestion is to add just a drizzle of sesame oil at the end to give it a little nutty asian flavor along with some toasted sesame seeds.

Nikita

Doubled the recipe with fennel and broccoli, added tofu. Followed the suggestion to let sit for 5-10 and it made all the difference: the flavours were well absorbed--including by the tofu!--and the veggies were perfectly cooked. Delicious as is and wonderfully crunchy but future mods might include adding hint of sugar and sesame oil (or seeds as another reviewer mentioned). Will definitely make again!

George

I had to laugh as I read the comments '...didn't have the ingredients but...' This really is more a nudge to stirs fry what ever shredded greens you got at the bottom the crisper, and the 25 comments the inspiration to add your own love....Mazel ! This is the best kind of no recipe, recipe.

Emily

I love this recipe - really easy, delicious, and it uses ingredients that are pantry staples. I always leave out the star anise and it still has lots of flavor. Following the cooking times as directed helps to ensure that the cabbage stays crisp-tender and doesn't lose its color.

Christine

I used bagged coleslaw mix. Turned out perfect!

Nikhil

This recipe worked out great for a quick dinner!

I added onions when frying the ginger + garlic mix. Replaced the carrots with bell peppers. I also added some szechuan peppers for that extra zing. At the end I stirred in some egg noodles for about a 1 minute.

Ralph Joerger

Added 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and some fresh chilies and I think it was a very good idea to enhance the flavor.

Sally

I used red and yellow peppers instead of carrot, as another reviewer suggested, and that really added a great layer of flavor, as well as the visual appeal. I finished with both cilanto and finely-sliced green onion (more is more!). Excellent dish and able to hold its own alongside kalbi ribs.

Hanmeng

One of the worst things I've ever tasted.

Jo

I actually used a little guanciale (unsmoked, cured pork jowl) cut up in cubes, frying them first till crisp, then stir-frying everything else in that fat. Skipped the carrot. This was a delicious & satisfying dish served with rice. No need to order in!

Kevin

Great recipe, great leftovers. I will try adding fresh fennel in lieu of the anise next time - and/or maybe some radicchio. I suspect this will become a staple in our home.

catherine

Made a batch of this as the vegetable side for our workweek lunches. Decided to make it raw rather than cooked, and subbed jicama for the carrot for a change of pace. Only other change is hubby doesn’t care for anise, so I skipped it. Delicious, refreshing, and remained crunchy for several days!

Kevin

Like the jicama idea very much, maybe julienned and if not serving raw, throw it in at the very end just to warm it, but not lose its texture. Good idea!

MAK

I made half this recipe. Excellent. Followed another cook's recommendation and sprinkled sesame seeds (1 T) before plating. Also, I added chopped cilantro but did not have anise or chives.

Sue

Hooray for Martha Rose! She scores again. I had all the ingredients so no need to venture out on this chilly, cloudy day when I would rather stay home and research recipes. I added tofu, as another commenter suggested, and divided the recipe in half to serve 2 (except I did use a whole carrot). Terrific, quick, healthy meal.

Jann

What can replace star anise? Thanks!

Kevin

Try fennel seed - toasted and/or ground. Or add a little Sambuca to the liquid (still anise). Unless you dislike the licorice flavor, then do not.

John New Hope

This was as great as it was as simple. Great base cooking method. Made and cooked as described with a couple minor adds… used 50/50 sesame oil/coconut oil, threw in a red pepper bc it was in the fridge doing nothing, and I needed some protein, thought peanuts but didn’t have, added 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter. Will definitely add to the regular lineup.

Paul Jay

On a whim I substituted Szechuan peppercorns for the pepper pepper flakes and lightly seared some ahi tuna I had in the fridge and tossed it in at the end. Marvelous. Try pork or chicken as well if you want to turn this side into a meal.

LB

I thought it was pretty good the first night, but it truly delicious as leftovers.

Lynne

Made as directed. Delicious.

Daniel

I really found this dish quite under-flavored, even after adding more garlic, star anise, ginger, soy sauce and cooking wine. Otherwise followed the instructions pretty much to a T. Not sure what happened

RooCook

I am blown away at how much flavor is in this simple dish. I always up the ginger/garlic content of any dish by a little because I love that profile - holy smokes - DELICIOUS. Served with crispy tofu and rice.

Helen

I doubled the recipe as I had a lot of cabbage that needed to be used. Instead of carrot I julienned a red bell pepper. I broke the star anise into small segments and let it infuse into the soy/sherry mixture. Used a minced jalapeño. Delicious, divine with fresh summer ingredients but good for all year.

Carol K.

Very good but I love Asian cuisine. To add some crunch I added sliced almonds to the finished dish, which speaks to the comment that in Singapore they stir fry vegetables no more than 2-3 minutes to avoid soggy vegetables. While I loved the flavors in this it’s consistency was close to that of sauerkraut (which I am not a fan of). I will cook this again but will skip the 30 second steaming under a lid.

Tymara

two table spoons ginger and garlic thai chilies x4

Maura

Added 1lb ground pork, too much use 1/2 lb, removed when cooked and return to pan after cabbage had wilted. Sautéed onion and peppers, removed from pan and added after cabbage had wilted. Added hot chili oil before serving.VERY GOOD

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Spicy Stir-Fried Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes raw cabbage spicy? ›

By cutting, crushing or biting into these cruciferous heads, a series of enzymatic reactions is triggered that causes the glucosinolates to break down into allyl isothiocyanate, another volatile compound that gives these Brassicas their fresh vegetal, cabbage-like scent and slightly bitter, peppery bite.

How to cook and eat Chinese cabbage? ›

Chinese cabbage can be steamed, boiled, quickly stir-fried, or eaten raw. Cooked leaves and stalks add flavor to soups, stews, pasta dishes, and stir-fries. Use succulent central ribs raw: slice or coarsely shred for salads or slaws, or cut into strips for raw-vegetable platters.

Why does cabbage juice taste spicy? ›

When raw cabbage is chopped, chewed, or otherwise broken down, an enzyme called myrosinase converts sinigrin into allyl isothiocyanate, which is responsible for the pungent taste and spicy sensation that can cause a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth.

Why should cabbage not be eaten raw? ›

Digestive Distress

Raw cabbage contains fiber, which is generally good for digestive health. However, for some individuals, the high fiber content can lead to digestive discomfort, including bloating and gas. Cooking cabbage can make it easier to digest, reducing the likelihood of these side effects.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

Do you wash cabbage before or after cutting? ›

To preserve its vitamin C content, cut and wash the cabbage right before cooking or eating it. Do you wash cabbages before cooking with them or do you just pull off the outermost leaves? I tend to use baby cabbages most of the time so I remove the outer leaves, cut in half and remove solid white core.

Can dogs have cabbage? ›

Both red and green cabbage is fine for dogs to eat, though red cabbage contains more vitamins and minerals than the green variety. However, all types of cabbage are safe for dogs to eat and can be a good nutrient-dense addition to their well-balanced dog food diet.

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage? ›

Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage.

What is the difference between cabbage and Chinese cabbage? ›

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Capitata Group) is a cool-season vegetable that grows best in well-drained sandy loam soils that have high organic content. Chinese cabbage forms dense heads that may be very upright and tall (Michihili types) or round and barrel-shaped (Napa types).

What kind of cabbage do Chinese restaurants use? ›

Napa Cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage, is common in traditional Chinese dishes and is pale green with tightly packed, crinkly leaves growing in the shape of an oval – when cooked, it becomes juicy and slightly sweet, and mild in flavor. It's commonly used in Chinese hot and sour cabbage.

Why do I feel so good after eating cabbage? ›

Cabbage is an exceptionally healthy food. It has an outstanding nutrient profile and is especially high in vitamins C and K. In addition, eating cabbage may even help lower the risk of certain diseases, improve digestion, and ease inflammation.

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

Cabbage and onions contain sulfur-based compounds and enzymes that are kept apart — and nonreactive — in separate cells when the plants are whole. But when you cut the vegetables, the compounds and enzymes mix, creating pungent, bitter and foul-smelling compounds that repel insects (and people!).

Why does cabbage burn my stomach? ›

Cabbage is a common gas-producing vegetable. It's also high in fructans, a type of carb that individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have a difficult time digesting ( 33 ). Even with low intakes of cabbage, people with IBS may experience symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea ( 34 ).

Does raw cabbage taste spicy? ›

Cabbage is a nutritious and inexpensive vegetable choice. It also tastes great and can be used in many different ways. You can enjoy the spicy taste and crunchy texture of raw cabbage or the sweetness of cooked cabbage.

What makes cabbage taste peppery? ›

This reek derives ultimately from substances called glucosinolates, defences that bring raw cabbage a bitter or mustardy taste designed to deter predators. That's why coleslaw is appetisingly peppery, and why certain brassica leaves such as rocket and mustard greens carry an appealing bite.

Is cabbage naturally spicy? ›

Despite its pungent aroma when cooked, a cabbage's flavor can range from naturally sweet to lightly spicy. It stands up to a wide range of preparation, food and flavorings. In addition to the common smooth green cabbage, Savoy cabbage has wrinkled green leaves and red cabbage has dark, almost purple, smooth leaves.

Why does cabbage make my tongue tingle? ›

People who have OAS are allergic to plant pollens. Many fruits and vegetables contain proteins that are similar to these pollens. So the immune system can mistake the fruit and vegetable proteins for the plant pollens that caused the allergy. "We call it cross-reactivity," explains Santos.

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