Spicy Stir-Fried Cabbage Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Ben

After you stir-fry for one to two minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt, then add the salt and wine/soy sauce mixture. But before you cover and cook over high heat, turn off the heat and let the cabbage sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then continue with the recipe. It makes the seasonings better blended and more flavorful.

River BOB

Great taste, had Napa cabbage that was almost over it's prime, did not have any dry sherry so used 1 TBS of Mirin and 1 TBS of Rice Vinegar. Also used Red Pepper instead of Carrot. Love the slightly spice flavor and a crunch still remains. Will make again, perhaps finish with toasted sesame seeds.

daryl

Use chinese five spices mix

Josephine

Recipe turned out great with Savoy cabbage. I used coconut oil for sautéing and an orange bell pepper instead of a carrot for color.

Jennifer

This is a fantastic recipe. I'm serving this as a side item to pork tenderloin. My only suggestion is to add just a drizzle of sesame oil at the end to give it a little nutty asian flavor along with some toasted sesame seeds.

Nikita

Doubled the recipe with fennel and broccoli, added tofu. Followed the suggestion to let sit for 5-10 and it made all the difference: the flavours were well absorbed--including by the tofu!--and the veggies were perfectly cooked. Delicious as is and wonderfully crunchy but future mods might include adding hint of sugar and sesame oil (or seeds as another reviewer mentioned). Will definitely make again!

George

I had to laugh as I read the comments '...didn't have the ingredients but...' This really is more a nudge to stirs fry what ever shredded greens you got at the bottom the crisper, and the 25 comments the inspiration to add your own love....Mazel ! This is the best kind of no recipe, recipe.

Emily

I love this recipe - really easy, delicious, and it uses ingredients that are pantry staples. I always leave out the star anise and it still has lots of flavor. Following the cooking times as directed helps to ensure that the cabbage stays crisp-tender and doesn't lose its color.

Christine

I used bagged coleslaw mix. Turned out perfect!

Nikhil

This recipe worked out great for a quick dinner!

I added onions when frying the ginger + garlic mix. Replaced the carrots with bell peppers. I also added some szechuan peppers for that extra zing. At the end I stirred in some egg noodles for about a 1 minute.

Ralph Joerger

Added 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and some fresh chilies and I think it was a very good idea to enhance the flavor.

Sally

I used red and yellow peppers instead of carrot, as another reviewer suggested, and that really added a great layer of flavor, as well as the visual appeal. I finished with both cilanto and finely-sliced green onion (more is more!). Excellent dish and able to hold its own alongside kalbi ribs.

Hanmeng

One of the worst things I've ever tasted.

Jo

I actually used a little guanciale (unsmoked, cured pork jowl) cut up in cubes, frying them first till crisp, then stir-frying everything else in that fat. Skipped the carrot. This was a delicious & satisfying dish served with rice. No need to order in!

MAK

I made half this recipe. Excellent. Followed another cook's recommendation and sprinkled sesame seeds (1 T) before plating. Also, I added chopped cilantro but did not have anise or chives.

Sue

Hooray for Martha Rose! She scores again. I had all the ingredients so no need to venture out on this chilly, cloudy day when I would rather stay home and research recipes. I added tofu, as another commenter suggested, and divided the recipe in half to serve 2 (except I did use a whole carrot). Terrific, quick, healthy meal.

Jann

What can replace star anise? Thanks!

John New Hope

This was as great as it was as simple. Great base cooking method. Made and cooked as described with a couple minor adds… used 50/50 sesame oil/coconut oil, threw in a red pepper bc it was in the fridge doing nothing, and I needed some protein, thought peanuts but didn’t have, added 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter. Will definitely add to the regular lineup.

Paul Jay

On a whim I substituted Szechuan peppercorns for the pepper pepper flakes and lightly seared some ahi tuna I had in the fridge and tossed it in at the end. Marvelous. Try pork or chicken as well if you want to turn this side into a meal.

LB

I thought it was pretty good the first night, but it truly delicious as leftovers.

Lynne

Made as directed. Delicious.

Daniel

I really found this dish quite under-flavored, even after adding more garlic, star anise, ginger, soy sauce and cooking wine. Otherwise followed the instructions pretty much to a T. Not sure what happened

RooCook

I am blown away at how much flavor is in this simple dish. I always up the ginger/garlic content of any dish by a little because I love that profile - holy smokes - DELICIOUS. Served with crispy tofu and rice.

Helen

I doubled the recipe as I had a lot of cabbage that needed to be used. Instead of carrot I julienned a red bell pepper. I broke the star anise into small segments and let it infuse into the soy/sherry mixture. Used a minced jalapeño. Delicious, divine with fresh summer ingredients but good for all year.

Carol K.

Very good but I love Asian cuisine. To add some crunch I added sliced almonds to the finished dish, which speaks to the comment that in Singapore they stir fry vegetables no more than 2-3 minutes to avoid soggy vegetables. While I loved the flavors in this it’s consistency was close to that of sauerkraut (which I am not a fan of). I will cook this again but will skip the 30 second steaming under a lid.

Tymara

two table spoons ginger and garlic thai chilies x4

Maura

Added 1lb ground pork, too much use 1/2 lb, removed when cooked and return to pan after cabbage had wilted. Sautéed onion and peppers, removed from pan and added after cabbage had wilted. Added hot chili oil before serving.VERY GOOD

HomeCookery

Wasn't a fan. My husband and I thought something was missing in the flavor profile but we couldn't figure out what. Tried a little vinegar but that wasn't it. Won't make again.

Sara

Quick, easy, tasty and veggie. Nice weekday dinner.

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Spicy Stir-Fried Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes cabbage spicy? ›

When raw cabbage is chopped, chewed, or otherwise broken down, an enzyme called myrosinase converts sinigrin into allyl isothiocyanate, which is responsible for the pungent taste and spicy sensation that can cause a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth.

Why do you soak cabbage in vinegar? ›

An old trick to use is to leave the cabbage lightly doused in vinegar water for a couple of minutes before proceeding to wash the cabbage with water. Usually between two or four minutes. Vinegar kills some types of bacteria and helps killing mold and mildew that could have grown on the cabbage.

Why is Napa cabbage good for stir frying? ›

It's sweet and mild compared to peppery green cabbage; its leaves are thinner, more tender, and quicker to caramelize. Because it's not as sturdy, napa is a bit less crunchy than the standard variety, especially when cooked.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

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.

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

One common reason is that the cabbage may have been overcooked. Overcooking cabbage releases sulfur compounds that can give it a bitter taste. Another possible reason is that the cabbage was not fresh. Old or spoiled cabbage can also taste bitter.

Why do you put baking soda in cabbage? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

What happens when you pour salt inside a cabbage? ›

The salt then draws moisture out of the cabbage's cells through osmosis, forming a salty brine. This brine is important because it submerges the cabbage and deprives the Lactobacillus and other microorganisms of oxygen – the second step!

What happens when you pour salt into a cabbage head? ›

Adding salt accomplishes several things. First, it reverses the direction of osmosis in the system, causing water to be drawn out of the cell walls which we tore up by chopping the cabbage. This water loss quickly causes the cabbage to wilt, and creates a brine from the cabbage water and salt combo.

Is Napa cabbage the same as Chinese cabbage? ›

Napa cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis or Brassica rapa Pekinensis Group) is a type of Chinese cabbage originating near the Beijing region of China that is widely used in East Asian cuisine. Since the 20th century, it has also become a widespread crop in Europe, the Americas and Australia.

Which is healthier green cabbage or napa cabbage? ›

Napa and regular cabbage are both low-fat, low-calorie and low-carb, but the nutritious profile of napa cabbage offers higher levels of vitamins C, K and folate than green cabbage. It also delivers higher levels of essential minerals.

What is the difference between cabbage and Chinese cabbage? ›

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Capitata Group) is a cool-season vegetable that grows best in well-drained sandy loam soils that have high organic content. Chinese cabbage forms dense heads that may be very upright and tall (Michihili types) or round and barrel-shaped (Napa types).

Which is better cabbage or napa cabbage? ›

Both are excellent sources of important vitamins and minerals. Regular cabbage contains more calcium, zinc and potassium than napa, but napa cabbage contains higher levels of vitamins A, B3, iron and copper. Napa is also lower in sodium than regular cabbage.

Is cabbage naturally spicy? ›

Despite its pungent aroma when cooked, a cabbage's flavor can range from naturally sweet to lightly spicy. It stands up to a wide range of preparation, food and flavorings. In addition to the common smooth green cabbage, Savoy cabbage has wrinkled green leaves and red cabbage has dark, almost purple, smooth leaves.

Does cabbage get spicy when cooked? ›

It also tastes great and can be used in many different ways. You can enjoy the spicy taste and crunchy texture of raw cabbage or the sweetness of cooked cabbage.

Why does cabbage make my mouth tingle? ›

If Raw Fruits Or Veggies Give You A Tingly Mouth, It's A Real Syndrome : The Salt Pollen allergies can trigger reactions to fruits and vegetables. The condition — known as oral allergy syndrome — can come on suddenly and often goes undiagnosed.

Does cabbage have a peppery taste? ›

Green Cabbage

Large and round, with wide pale-green leaves, it's a classic for good reason. It has a light, peppery flavor when eaten raw, which mellows when cooked. The leaves can be thinly sliced and eaten raw in a slaw or they can be tossed into soups or stir-fries.

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