Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (2024)

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Need a simple low-carb vegetable side dish? Try this fabulous sauteed red cabbage with sweet vinegar seasoning. It's a unique side that is sure to please!

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (1)
Article Index
  • Why you'll love it
  • Ingredients
  • Tips
  • Instructions
  • ️ Serving suggestions
  • FAQs
  • Related recipes
  • Recipe

I picked up some red cabbage to slice into a salad and had half a head left. So, I started looking online to find some recipes to use the leftover cabbage!

There were several recipes that were simple and required few ingredients. I've never cooked red cabbage before, so I wasn't sure how it would be.

However, the sauteéd red cabbage recipe that I ended up making turned out to be very good. I loved the sweetened vinegar seasoning!

The result reminded me of a warm cabbage salad with vinegarette dressing. Of course, I didn't follow the recipe too closely, and I made modifications for it to be low carb.

You can bet I'll be making this yummy side dish again. I may even try using the red cabbage in a crack slaw to give it a different color!

Why you'll love it

This sautéed red cabbage recipe is so vibrant, beautiful, and delicious! Whether you love green cabbage or purple cabbage more, you can use either one in this recipe.

Cooked red cabbage has an earthy and slightly sweet flavor that is unlike anything else. And cooking it is easier than you might think.

Even if you aren't a person who likes cabbage, you should definitely give it a try. The flavor of the dish might surprise you (like it did me!).

And, who can resist such a beautifully colored vegetable? I've always loved the color purple - that's why I like to buy purple-colored cauliflower too.

I can see this becoming a regular on my rotation. And, sauteed red cabbage fits into an AIP paleo meal plan if you cut back or eliminate the sweetener.

Ingredients

There is just a handful of ingredients to make this delicious cabbage side dish. Here's some info on what I used!

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (2)

Olive oil

This is used to wilt down your cabbage. You could use avocado oil instead.

Cabbage

Of course, you'll need some cabbage for this recipe. I used the red (purple) variety but feel free to use green if that's what you enjoy.

Spices

There's just a simple salt and pepper seasoning for this recipe, along with some ground mustard seed.

Vinegar

I used apple cider vinegar, but you can use red wine vinegar instead. Balsamic vinegar is another substitute you can make.

Sweetener

The touch of sweetness in this sauteed red cabbage offsets the tart flavor of the vinegar perfectly. I used Truviainitially, but my next batch used about three servings of liquid stevia instead.

To me, the stevia-sweetened version was much better, so that's what I'm sharing on the blog. Plus, stevia is paleo-friendly and doesn't have any erythritol.

Please note:Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.

Tips

  • Heat the oil in the skillet first. Adding the cabbage to a hot skillet helps it cook so much better.
  • Add more spices. Taste it first! If you think it needs more salt or mustard seeds, add them.
  • Add your favorite vegetables. This is an easy way to add things like zucchini, onions, or shredded carrots.

Instructions

This recipe could not be any easier! Check out how simple it is to saute cabbage and enjoy a healthy side dish.

Saute the cabbage

Slice the red cabbage and then add it to a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Saute it, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. You'll see it begin to wilt.

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (3)

Add spices

After the cabbage begins to wilt, add the vinegar, sweetener, and your favorite spices. Keep stirring and cooking red cabbage for another 10 minutes.

Then, it's ready to eat!

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (4)

️ Serving suggestions

I'm thinking of serving this cooked cabbage at our holiday dinner with its bright color. It's really more of a purple rather than red, but I still think it's a festive color!

Although this dish isn't the right color for St. Patrick's Day, I think it would taste great served along with corned beef casserole.

If you are a fan of mashed potatoes, serve this purple cabbage with some mashed turnips. It has a similar taste and texture.

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (5)

FAQs

Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make it.

Can you ferment red cabbage?

I think the red cabbage would be a great veggie to ferment. Since I like to add dill, it would taste like pickled cabbage. And, the purple color looks great in the jar.

How do you ferment your own vegetables?

I've started to ferment my own vegetables as it's recommended for improved gut health. I use a recipe similar to the one found at Running to the Kitchen.

It's basically a brine solution with 2 cups of water and 1 ½ teaspoons of sea salt in a quart-size mason jar. Then, you add your vegetables to the jar and let it sit in a cool dark spot for about 5-7 days.

The amount of time you let the vegetables ferment depends on personal taste. The flavor profile does change depending on how long you let it sit.

Can I add onions to this recipe?

Yes, sauteed red cabbage will taste pretty good with sliced onions. Use a mandolin to slice them evenly. Red onions are the best kind of onions to use.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you love cabbage, then you will enjoy this naturally gluten-free recipe!

What are the health benefits of cabbage?

Cabbage is incredibly good for you. It is low in calories, high in fiber, and is a fantastic source of potassium (which is amazing for your heart health). It's also a surprisingly good source of vitamin C and has properties in it that might help you lower inflammation in your body.

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (6)

If you enjoy cooking cabbage, then here are some more of my favorite keto recipes that use cabbage. They are some of my most popular recipes.

  • Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Bake is a delicious casserole that feeds an entire crowd and is packed with flavor.
  • Corned Beef Casserole with Cabbage is a keto-friendly recipe that uses leftover corned beef in a delicious new way.
  • Creamed Cabbage and Ground Beef Casserole is another family-friendly way to cook cabbage that everyone will love.
  • Hamburger Cabbage Casserolelooks like a favorite tomato-based dish but has cabbage instead of pasta.
  • Keto Cabbage Rolls are stuffed with ground beef and an incredible tomato sauce.

Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!

Recipe

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (7)

Sauteed Red Cabbage

4.50 from 2 votes

Need a simple low carb recipe using red cabbage? Try it sautéed with a sweet vinegar seasoning. It's a unique side that is sure to please.

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Total Time:25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Print Pin Review Recipe Save Recipe

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 68

Video

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat.

  • Add cabbage and stir in pan until it wilts, about 3 to 5 minutes.

  • Stir in vinegar and sweetener.

  • Season with mustard seed, salt and pepper and reduce heat slightly.

  • Let cabbage continue to cook 10 minutes or until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.

Notes

Net carb per serving: about 5 grams

Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart

Nutrition

Calories: 68 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 780IU | Vitamin C: 39.8mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Additional Info

Net Carbs: 4g | % Carbs: 28.6% | % Protein: 7.1% | % Fat: 64.3% | SmartPoints: 2

Notes on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Copyright

© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.

First published on December 7, 2010. Post updated on April 12, 2022, with additional recipe information and new photos.

Sautéed Red Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook red cabbage without losing color? ›

When cooked in an alkaline liquid like water, red cabbage turns blue. Adding vinegar, lemon juice, or another acid helps the cabbage to retain its red-purple color. Vinegar is also a bright flavor complement to the bold, earthy taste of the cabbage.

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

You can add this versatile vegetable to soups, stews, salads, and coleslaw. It's delicious raw, steamed, sautéed, or fermented. It retains the most nutrients when it's eaten raw but is still highly nutritious when cooked. The flavor becomes a little milder when you cook it.

Can you cook red cabbage the same as regular cabbage? ›

Red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The difference between cooking green cabbage and red cabbage is just one extra step. The compounds that give red cabbage its color, called anthocyanins, are water-soluble and will turn an unappetizing blue color when cooked.

Is it better to boil or steam red cabbage? ›

Steaming is an indirect cooking process which means delicate ingredients can be gently cooked to retain their flavour and nutrients. The benefit of steaming cabbage is that it doesn't produce the unpleasant smell associated with boiled cabbage.

What can you use when cooking red cabbage to retain the colour? ›

Before cooking, remove any tired or discoloured leaves and always cook red cabbage with a little vinegar. This preserves the beautiful purple colour – without it, the cabbage will turn blue!

Why do you soak red cabbage in water? ›

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.

Does red cabbage cleanse your colon? ›

Red cabbage is a good source of fibre, including the insoluble variety which promotes regular bowel movements. The fibre in cabbage acts as a prebiotic, which means it's the type of fibre that provides a fuel source for the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut.

Is too much red cabbage bad for you? ›

Cabbage contains phytonutrients that act as antioxidants to reduce your risk of certain cancers. However, eating large quantities of cabbage can cause negative side effects, such as flatulence, diarrhea, medication interactions, and hypothyroidism.

What does cooked red cabbage do for your body? ›

Fantastic Health Benefits Of Adding Red Cabbage To The Diet:
  • Lowers Cancer Risk. ...
  • Improves Skin Health. ...
  • Prevents Alzheimer's Disease. ...
  • Improves Bone Density. ...
  • Promotes Weight Loss. ...
  • Enhances Digestive Functions. ...
  • Remedies Hypertension. ...
  • Alleviates Inflammation.
Sep 4, 2023

Can I just boil red cabbage? ›

The simplest way to cook red cabbage is to boil it - put the cabbage leaves or shredded cabbage in a large pan and cover halfway with water, bring to the boil, and cook for three to five minutes or until tender. It can also be steamed – around five minutes in a steamer should be sufficient for soft, tender leaves.

Does cooked red cabbage taste like cooked green cabbage? ›

While similar in flavor to its green counterpart, red cabbage tends to have a more pronounced earthy taste, complemented by a subtle underlying sweetness.

Do I need to refrigerate red cabbage? ›

How to Store Cabbage in the Fridge. Whether it's red or green, Savoy or napa, fresh cabbage should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. For red, green and Savoy cabbage heads, this storage method will keep the cabbage fresh for up to 10 days.

Why does red cabbage take so long to cook? ›

The central vein in each leaf is tough, particularly on the outer leaves, so you may wish to cut this away, too, especially if you want to cook the cabbage quickly as this part is very dense and will take a long time.

Why is my red cabbage turning blue when I boil it? ›

Anthocyanins tend to change their colour according to acidity or alkalinity of the environment. Cooking water is usually slightly alkaline, so red cabbage chnges its color to dark purple, deep Navy blue, sometimes almost black. Add a little of vinegar to the cooking water and the cabbage will retain its red colour.

How do you keep red cabbage bright? ›

Adding acid

One of the easiest ways to keep your red cabbage from turning blue when you cook it is to control its acidity level. Delishably says that by adding a bit of a mild acid like lemon juice, you can slightly boost the acidity of the vibrant vegetable.

How do you stop red cabbage going blue? ›

When you sauté red cabbage, the acids evaporate off and it can turn blue. All you have to do is add lemon juice or vinegar to bring back the bright red color. For this same reason, you may have seen a blue circle around the cherries in cherry muffins.

Does red cabbage lose its color when cooked? ›

Cooking water is usually slightly alkaline, so red cabbage chnges its color to dark purple, deep Navy blue, sometimes almost black. Add a little of vinegar to the cooking water and the cabbage will retain its red colour.

How do you keep cooked cabbage from turning brown? ›

Preserve the color of cabbage

To avoid this and preserve the red cabbage's vibrant color, adding an acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to the cooking liquid should do the trick.

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