Purple Cabbage Recipes Vegan Foodies Will Love

Looking for vibrant, nutrient-packed dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious? Purple cabbage is a plant-based superstar, bringing color, crunch, and a mild peppery sweetness to your vegan kitchen.

This post is your guide to the best purple cabbage recipes vegan—from zesty slaws and warming stir-fries to hearty soups and fresh salads. Whether you’re new to cooking with this eye-catching vegetable or a seasoned plant-based chef, you’ll discover creative ways to make purple cabbage the star of your next meal.

Not only is purple cabbage affordable and easy to find, but it’s also bursting with antioxidants and vitamins. Its natural hues make every dish pop, and its firm texture holds up beautifully in everything from tacos to grain bowls.

Let’s dive into some of the tastiest, easiest vegan recipes featuring this gorgeous vegetable!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Colorful and Inviting: Purple cabbage adds a pop of color to every dish, making your meals visually stunning and appetizing.
• Loaded with Nutrients: Rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants, purple cabbage supports immune health and overall wellness.
• Versatile: Enjoy it raw in salads, lightly sautéed in stir-fries, or slow-cooked in hearty soups and stews.
• Budget-Friendly: Purple cabbage is affordable year-round and stores well in the fridge.
• Crunchy Texture: Its crispiness adds an irresistible bite to vegan tacos, Buddha bowls, and wraps.
• Easy to Prepare: Most recipes require just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Purple cabbage holds up well, even when dressed, making it ideal for make-ahead lunches.

Ingredients

Below you’ll find the ingredients for three of my favorite vegan purple cabbage recipes: a crunchy Asian-inspired slaw, a hearty cabbage and bean soup, and a sizzling purple cabbage stir-fry. Each recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and packed with flavor!

Crunchy Asian-Inspired Purple Cabbage Slaw

Hearty Purple Cabbage & White Bean Soup

Sizzling Purple Cabbage Stir-Fry

Equipment

• Cutting board and sharp knife – for prepping vegetables
• Large mixing bowls – for tossing slaws and salads
• Soup pot or Dutch oven – for making hearty soups
• Large skillet or wok – perfect for stir-frying
• Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring and sautéing
• Measuring cups and spoons – for perfecting seasonings
• Colander – for draining beans and rinsing veggies
• Salad spinner (optional) – for drying cabbage quickly

Instructions

Crunchy Asian-Inspired Purple Cabbage Slaw

1. Prepare the vegetables: Finely shred the purple cabbage, julienne the carrot, slice the red bell pepper, and chop the green onions and cilantro.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, lime juice, and grated ginger until smooth.
3. Combine and toss: Add all veggies to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over and toss well to coat evenly.
4. Finish and serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. Let the slaw sit for at least 10 minutes for flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Hearty Purple Cabbage & White Bean Soup

1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened.
2. Add garlic & cabbage: Stir in minced garlic and chopped purple cabbage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until cabbage begins to wilt.
3. Simmer the soup: Add vegetable broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, and cannellini beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
4. Finish and season: Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve hot with crusty vegan bread.

Sizzling Purple Cabbage Stir-Fry

1. Cook the tofu: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add cubed tofu and cook until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the veggies: Add remaining oil, then toss in red onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add cabbage and broccoli: Stir in purple cabbage, broccoli, and snow peas. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
4. Add sauce and tofu: Pour in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Return tofu to the pan and toss everything together for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately over rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

• Make it meal-prep friendly: Most purple cabbage dishes keep well in the fridge and even improve in flavor overnight.
• Swap your veggies: Add radishes, snap peas, or even apples for extra crunch in slaws and salads.
• Change the protein: Use tempeh, edamame, or chickpeas instead of tofu in the stir-fry for variety.
• Boost the flavor: Add sriracha or chili flakes for extra heat, or a teaspoon of miso paste to soup for umami depth.
• Dress it up: Top with roasted nuts, crispy onions, or a handful of pumpkin seeds for texture and taste.
• Try slow-cooking: For a hands-off approach, purple cabbage is wonderful in slow cooker vegan meals!
• Serve with sides: Pair your soup or stir-fry with vegan homemade bread for a heartier meal.
• Get creative: Use purple cabbage as a vibrant taco shell or wrap filling for a gluten-free option.

“The secret to delicious purple cabbage recipes? Don’t overcook it! A little crunch brings out its natural sweetness and keeps those nutrients intact.”

Nutrition Facts

Here’s a quick look at the nutritional highlights per serving for each recipe (estimates based on standard serving sizes):

Note: Actual nutrition may vary based on brands and ingredient adjustments.

Serving Suggestions

• Slaw: Serve as a side with grilled vegan burgers, inside tacos, or as a vibrant topping for Buddha bowls.
• Soup: Pair a steaming bowl with fresh vegan bread or a simple salad for a nourishing lunch.
• Stir-Fry: Enjoy over fluffy jasmine rice, brown rice, or your favorite noodles. Garnish with extra herbs or a squeeze of lime juice.
• Meal prep: Each of these dishes can be made ahead and enjoyed for lunch throughout the week.
• Taco night: Use the slaw and stir-fry as colorful taco fillings, paired with avocado and salsa.

Conclusion

There’s a reason purple cabbage is beloved in plant-based kitchens around the world. It’s not only beautiful but incredibly versatile, nutritious, and easy to work with.

Whether you’re tossing it into a slaw, simmering it in soup, or giving it a quick stir-fry, purple cabbage brings texture, flavor, and a dose of antioxidants to every bite.

Looking for more vibrant vegan meal inspiration? Check out these other delicious ideas, like Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals and Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners.

With a little creativity, your kitchen will be brimming with color, nutrition, and amazing plant-based flavors. Happy cooking!

Even More Vegan Purple Cabbage Recipes to Try

If you’re obsessed with the crunch and color of purple cabbage, you’ll love these additional vegan recipe ideas that make the most of this beautiful vegetable:

• Purple Cabbage Tacos: Use leaves as taco “shells” and fill with black beans, corn, avocado, and a squeeze of lime for a fresh, gluten-free taco.
• Roasted Purple Cabbage Steaks: Slice cabbage into thick rounds, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with smoked paprika, and roast at 400°F until edges are crispy. Serve with vegan yogurt sauce.
• Purple Cabbage Sauerkraut: Shred cabbage, massage with sea salt, and ferment for 5-7 days for a probiotic-packed, tangy topping for sandwiches and grain bowls.
• Rainbow Spring Rolls: Layer purple cabbage with rice noodles, carrots, cucumber, and mint in rice paper. Serve with spicy peanut dipping sauce.
• Grilled Purple Cabbage Wedges: Brush cabbage wedges with balsamic glaze and grill until tender and charred. Top with toasted seeds and fresh herbs.
• Purple Cabbage and Apple Salad: Shred cabbage and apples, toss with lemon juice, walnuts, and raisins for a sweet-and-savory salad.
• Purple Cabbage Rolls: Blanch cabbage leaves and stuff them with lentil and rice filling, bake with tomato sauce for a hearty entrée.
• Purple Cabbage Stir-Fried Rice: Add shredded cabbage to leftover rice, toss with peas, carrots, and tamari for a quick, satisfying meal.

For even more veggie-forward ideas, don’t miss our Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.

“The next time you spot a head of purple cabbage at the market, grab it and get creative—you’ll be amazed at how many delicious plant-based meals you can create!”

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