Cabbage Curry Recipes Indian Veg: Easy & Flavorful Ideas

Updated On: October 7, 2025

Cabbage curry is a beloved Indian vegetarian dish that combines the humble cabbage with a vibrant blend of spices to create a comforting and flavorful meal. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is easy to prepare and packed with nutrition.

The tender cabbage absorbs the aromatic spices beautifully, making it perfect as a side dish or a main course with rice or roti. Indian-style cabbage curry is not only delicious but also budget-friendly and quick to make, ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prepping.

This dish showcases how simple ingredients like cabbage can be transformed into a wholesome and satisfying curry that the whole family will enjoy.

In this blog post, you’ll find detailed recipes for different variations of Indian cabbage curry, from mildly spiced to tangy and robust flavors. We’ll also share tips to enhance the taste, nutrition facts, and serving suggestions to complete your Indian vegetarian meal.

Plus, don’t miss the links to other exciting recipes to complement your cooking journey!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cabbage curry is a versatile and nutritious dish that fits perfectly into vegetarian and vegan diets. It is:

  • Easy to prepare: Uses simple ingredients that are readily available in your pantry.
  • Flavorful: The combination of Indian spices creates a rich and aromatic taste.
  • Healthy: Cabbage is rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants.
  • Budget-friendly: Cabbage is an inexpensive vegetable, making this dish great for feeding a family without breaking the bank.
  • Customizable: You can adjust the spice level and add your favorite vegetables or legumes for variety.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium-sized cabbage (about 800 grams), finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or mustard oil preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • 2 green chilies, slit (adjust to taste)
  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
  • 1/2 cup water (optional, for desired curry consistency)

Equipment

  • Large non-stick skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
  • Sharp knife and chopping board
  • Grater for ginger
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring spoons
  • Serving bowl

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cabbage: Rinse the cabbage thoroughly under running water. Remove the outer leaves if wilted. Chop the cabbage finely and set aside.
  2. Heat oil: Place your skillet on medium heat. Add the oil and allow it to heat up.
  3. Tempering: Add cumin seeds to the hot oil. Let them sizzle and become aromatic (about 30 seconds).
  4. Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Add tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and blend with the onion mixture (about 5 minutes).
  6. Spices: Add the turmeric, coriander, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and cook the masala for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  7. Add cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the pan. Stir well to coat the cabbage with the spice mixture.
  8. Cook: Cover the pan and let the cabbage cook on medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. You can add water if you prefer a more curry-like consistency.
  9. Finish with garam masala: Once the cabbage is tender but still has a slight crunch, sprinkle the garam masala over the curry. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.
  10. Garnish and serve: Turn off the heat and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with roti, paratha, or steamed rice.

Tips & Variations

“For an extra depth of flavor, try adding a pinch of asafoetida (hing) along with the cumin seeds during tempering.”

  • Make it tangy: Add a teaspoon of tamarind paste or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end of cooking.
  • Add potatoes: For a heartier version, add peeled and diced potatoes along with the cabbage.
  • Use coconut milk: For a creamy twist, stir in half a cup of coconut milk after cooking the cabbage.
  • Include peas or carrots: Add frozen peas or diced carrots for added color and nutrition.
  • Adjust spice level: Omit or reduce green chilies and red chili powder for a milder curry.
  • Try mustard seeds: Swap cumin seeds with mustard seeds for a slightly different tempering flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per serving
Calories 120 kcal
Protein 3 grams
Carbohydrates 15 grams
Dietary Fiber 5 grams
Fat 7 grams
Vitamin C 60% of RDA
Vitamin K 50% of RDA

Serving Suggestions

This Indian cabbage curry pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it alongside:

  • Steamed basmati rice or jeera rice for a simple and filling meal.
  • Indian flatbreads like chapati, roti, or paratha to scoop up the curry.
  • Daal (lentil curry) for a complete protein-packed meal.
  • Yogurt or raita to balance the spices and add creaminess.
  • For more inspiration, check out these recipes: Instant Pot Rabbit Recipe, Lemon Straws Recipe, and Halibut Dip Recipe.

Cabbage Curry Recipes Indian Veg: 3 Variations to Try

Classic Spiced Cabbage Curry

This is the basic recipe described above, featuring cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. It’s a perfect everyday dish that highlights the natural sweetness of cabbage balanced with warming spices.

South Indian Style Cabbage Curry (Patta Gobi Poriyal)

  • Additional Ingredients: Mustard seeds, urad dal (split black gram), curry leaves, grated coconut
  • Method: Temper mustard seeds and urad dal in hot oil, add curry leaves, then sauté cabbage with turmeric and green chilies. Finish with freshly grated coconut for a lovely texture and flavor.

This version is lighter and less saucy, perfect as a side dish with dosa or idli.

Tangy Tomato Cabbage Curry

  • Additional Ingredients: Tamarind paste, mustard seeds, dried red chilies
  • Method: Use mustard seeds for tempering, add dried red chilies, cook cabbage with lots of tomatoes and tamarind paste for a tangy twist. This curry has a vibrant color and a slightly sour flavor profile.

Serve this with steamed rice for a tangy and satisfying meal.

Conclusion

Cabbage curry is a delicious, healthy, and comforting Indian vegetarian dish that deserves a spot in your recipe collection. Its simplicity and flavor make it an excellent choice for everyday cooking as well as special occasions.

With endless variations, you can customize the spice levels and ingredients to suit your preferences, ensuring you never get bored with this humble vegetable. Try the classic spiced version, the South Indian coconut-infused style, or the tangy tomato-tamarind curry to experience the diverse flavors of Indian cuisine.

Don’t forget to explore other exciting recipes on our site to complement your meal, such as the Instant Pot Rabbit Recipe for meat lovers or the sweet and refreshing Lemon Straws Recipe for dessert. Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe Card: Cabbage Curry Indian Veg

Description: A flavorful and easy-to-make Indian cabbage curry with spices and a tangy tomato base. Perfect as a side dish with rice or roti.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT25M
Total Time: PT40M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 medium cabbage, chopped (about 4 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 2 green chilies, slit
  • 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard and cumin seeds until they splutter.
  2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
  3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and green chilies; cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add tomatoes, turmeric, coriander powder, and salt; cook until tomatoes soften.
  5. Add chopped cabbage and mix well with the spices.
  6. Cover and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes until cabbage is tender.
  7. Sprinkle garam masala and stir gently.
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Nutrition: Calories: 150 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 7 g | Carbs: 20 g

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Marta K

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