The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

How long should you boil cabbage before it's done? ›

How long should I boil cabbage? Shredded cabbage will be done in around 5 minutes; for wedges, it'll be done around 10. You want to cook until tender, but err on the side of caution—overcooked cabbage will turn limp and give off a less-than-pleasant smell. Tip: Make sure to drain your cabbage to prevent overcooking!

The second most popular people dislike cooking cabbage is how bland it may taste thanks to the excess moisture it releases during cooking.

Wash and drain your cabbage leaves, getting rid of any tough stalks. Add to a large pan of salted boiling water, bring back to the boil then cook on a medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain well in a colander and leave to cool. Carefully squeeze the cabbage leaves to get rid of any excess moisture.

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.

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.

Simmer, covered, until the cabbage begins to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the cabbage carefully, and continue to simmer until the cabbage is tender, an additional 5 minutes. The cabbage is ready when a small paring knife inserted into the thickest part of the cabbage near the core slides through easily.

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!).

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.

The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it.

Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

Heat the oil and a knob of butter in a deep ovenproof saucepan. Add the onion and cabbage and fry for 3-4 minutes. Add the cider and redcurrant jelly, season, bring to the boil and boil for a few minutes. Cover the pan with a lid and place in the oven for 3-4 hours until completely tender.

How do you keep cabbage crispy? ›

– Place your cabbage in the crisper drawer and/or in a large plastic storage bag to hold in its natural moisture. – Don't cut it, ideally. When you cut a cabbage, it can start to brown and lose moisture much faster than a whole head.

Quarter the Cabbage

Slice the cabbage in half from top to bottom, straight through the core—you'll want to use the largest chef's knife you own. After you've halved the cabbage, place each cabbage half cut-side down on the cutting board and cut half in half again, vertically from the top through the core.

Dice the cabbage into bite-sized pieces for stir-frys.

Cut the quartered cabbage into wide strips. Turn your knife and cut across the strips to break them down into pieces that are small enough to eat in one bite. The smaller the pieces of cabbage, the less time it will take for them to cook through.

Should you shred cabbage with a knife or mandolin? Using a mandolin is undoubtedly a better choice, as the pieces will all be uniform, and usually much finer than you can do by hand. However, a knife can work too. Make sure to place each quarter on a flat side so it's steady as you cut.