Vegan Fried Cabbage Recipes for Easy Delicious Meals

Fried cabbage is a humble yet incredibly flavorful dish that can easily become a staple in your vegan kitchen. This simple vegetable transforms when fried to golden perfection with aromatic spices, creating a dish that’s both comforting and packed with nutrition.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight side or a hearty main, vegan fried cabbage recipes offer a versatile and satisfying option that caters to all taste buds.

In this post, we’ll take you through a detailed recipe for making delicious vegan fried cabbage, infused with vibrant seasonings that elevate this everyday vegetable. Plus, we’ll share tips to customize it your way, along with nutrition insights and serving ideas.

Ready to bring a tasty plant-based twist to your meals? Let’s get frying!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan fried cabbage recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. It uses everyday pantry ingredients and comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy cooks.

The cabbage caramelizes slightly, giving it a wonderful texture and a hint of sweetness balanced by savory spices and aromatics.

Not only is this dish delicious and comforting, it’s also low in calories and packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s gluten-free and soy-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.

Plus, it pairs beautifully with rice, tofu, or beans for a complete meal. Once you try this recipe, you’ll have a new favorite way to enjoy cabbage!

Ingredients

• 1 medium green cabbage (about 2 pounds), cored and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Equipment

• Large skillet or frying pan
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowl (optional for prepping cabbage)

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage: Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage if wilted or damaged. Cut it into quarters, remove the core, and thinly slice the leaves into strips about 1/4 inch wide.
2. Heat the oil: Place your skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Allow it to warm up for about 1 minute until shimmering.
3. Sauté the onions and garlic: Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the cabbage: Toss the sliced cabbage into the pan. Stir well to coat it evenly with the oil, onions, and garlic. It may seem like a lot at first, but the cabbage will cook down significantly.
5. Season and fry: Sprinkle the smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using) over the cabbage. Stir to combine all the spices evenly.
6. Cook uncovered: Continue to cook the cabbage, stirring occasionally, for about 12-15 minutes. The cabbage should soften and develop some golden brown edges. If it seems dry, add a splash of water to help it steam slightly and prevent sticking.
7. Add acidity: Once the cabbage is tender and nicely browned, stir in the apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. This step brightens the flavors and balances the richness of the fried cabbage.
8. Final taste check: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Remove from heat.
9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For the best flavor, use fresh cabbage and avoid overcooking it to retain a slight crunch.

• Add other veggies: Try mixing in shredded carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms for more texture and color.
• Use different spices: Incorporate cumin, turmeric, or curry powder for a unique twist.
• Add protein: Top with pan-fried tofu cubes or chickpeas for a complete vegan meal.
• Make it creamy: Stir in a few tablespoons of vegan bechamel sauce for a luscious texture.
• Make it smoky: Use smoked salt or liquid smoke for enhanced depth.
• Spice it up: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Vegan fried cabbage is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a side dish alongside hearty grains like quinoa or brown rice for a balanced meal.

It also pairs wonderfully with vegan protein dishes such as grilled tofu or tempeh.

For a soul food-inspired meal, add it to your plate with vegan cornbread and collard greens. Or, use it as a flavorful filling for wraps or tacos with black beans and avocado.

You might also enjoy it topped with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or vegan cheese for extra umami.

If you love experimenting, this dish works well as a topping for baked potatoes or mixed into vegan stews and chilis for added texture and flavor. For more creative vegan recipes, check out these favorites: Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals, Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious, and Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Other Vegan Fried Cabbage Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this basic vegan fried cabbage, here are some delicious variations to explore. Each brings unique flavors and styles to the table:

Spicy Cajun Vegan Fried Cabbage

Add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Fry with diced bell peppers and finish with fresh green onions.

A bold, spicy side perfect for BBQs or southern-inspired meals.

Asian-Inspired Vegan Fried Cabbage

Use sesame oil instead of olive oil, add minced ginger, garlic, and soy sauce or tamari. Toss in sliced scallions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

This version pairs beautifully with steamed rice and stir-fried tofu.

Vegan Curried Fried Cabbage

Incorporate curry powder, turmeric, and cumin into the frying process. Add diced tomatoes and fresh cilantro for a fragrant, colorful dish that’s excellent with lentils or vegan dal.

Garlic Lemon Vegan Fried Cabbage

A lighter take with extra minced garlic and fresh lemon zest added at the end. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley.

This bright and tangy recipe is great with grilled vegetables or vegan chickpea patties.

Vegan Fried Cabbage with Potatoes

Add diced potatoes to the skillet and fry until crispy along with the cabbage. Season with smoked paprika and thyme for a hearty side that can double as a main course.

Conclusion

Vegan fried cabbage is a simple yet satisfying dish that brings warmth and flavor to any meal. This recipe offers an easy way to transform a common vegetable into something special with just a few pantry staples and spices.

Whether you keep it classic or experiment with spices and add-ins, it’s a versatile dish that fits perfectly into a wholesome plant-based lifestyle.

Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it’s also budget-friendly and quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prepping. We hope you’ll enjoy this recipe and explore the many variations to find your personal favorite.

For more inspiring vegan dishes, don’t miss our Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas and Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals. Happy cooking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Fried Cabbage”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A simple and flavorful vegan fried cabbage recipe that is quick to prepare. Perfect as a side dish or a light main course.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 medium head green cabbage, shredded”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 medium onion, thinly sliced”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”, “1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)”, “2 tablespoons vegetable broth or water”, “1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar”, “2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add sliced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add shredded cabbage, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in vegetable broth and stir to combine.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes until cabbage is tender and slightly browned.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in apple cider vinegar and adjust seasoning if needed.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with chopped green onions and serve warm.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “120 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “3 g”, “fatContent”: “7 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “12 g”}}