Spicy Cabbage Recipe

This quick and easy spicy cabbage recipe is the perfect healthy vegetable side dish for meat or rice and it’s gluten-free and done within 15 minutes!

Do you have a head of cabbage sitting in your fridge? Not sure what to do with it? Well, this humble vegetable often goes unnoticed unless you want to make the classic coleslaw. But if you want something different – this spicy cabbage recipe is a must-try!

The truth is cabbage is much more versatile than you might think. One way to use up the cabbage in your fridge, especially if you are not in the mood for a fresh salad, is to try sauteeing the cabbage with spices and some garlic!

This recipe right here is full of flavor and not only simple and easy to make but also calls for just one main ingredient. Yes, you guessed it right! Cabbage.

So, even if you consider cabbage a bit bland, give this healthy cabbage recipe a try, because it may turn out you will be amazed at the results. Whether you’re looking for the perfect side dish for meat or just experimenting with vegan cabbage sides, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cooking.

Why You’ll Like the Spicy Cabbage

To begin with, this is a super quick and easy cabbage recipe to make.
The spicy cabbage is so tender and delicious that it can easily become your favorite recipe for sides.
As its name suggests this dish is spicy as well as flavorful. However, if you or your guests are not big fans of spicy food, then you may easily skip the hot paprika.
Another advantage of this simple cabbage recipe is that it is pretty cheap, especially when cabbage is in season
Moreover, it is a great vegetable side dish. Whether you cook for meat-eaters, vegetarians, or vegans, it will certainly appeal to all around the table.
And last, but not least, the spicy cabbage is super healthy because it is made from only natural, good-for-you ingredients. It is low in calories but high in vitamin C and fiber.

Spicy Cabbage Ingredients

Here’s all you need to cook this spicy sautéed cabbage:

Cabbage. Although there are different varieties of cabbage, I recommend using green cabbage for this particular recipe. This is the most popular type that can easily be found in each and every supermarket or local store. If you can, try to find it at a farmer’s market – then you know the vegetable is fresh and it usually has a better taste. Make sure you choose a head that is tightly packed and feels heavy when you pick it up. Cooking high-quality cabbage means that you will take full advantage of its health benefits.

Tamari sauce. Tamari sauce is basically a variety of soy sauce. Although they are very similar in color and flavor, there is one distinct difference between the two. Tamari sauce is made with very little or no wheat at all, which means that it is usually gluten-free. However, if you are gluten intolerant, then make sure you double-check that.

Hot Paprika. Hot paprika is made from dried and ground spicy red peppers. Whether you prefer it hot or sweet, it will pleasantly season and color your sautéed cabbage side dish. To make the dish a touch spicier – add some chili flakes as well!

Garlic. Can there be a spicy dish without the mighty garlic? It is popular not only with its specific pungent flavor but with its antibiotic and detoxifying properties, too.

How to Make the Spicy Cabbage

Making this spicy cabbage for a quick and easy side dish at dinner is a very straightforward process. Once you are sure you have all the needed ingredients, follow these simple steps and before you know it you will be ready to serve the perfect vegetable side:

Firstly, remove the damaged outer leaves and wash the cabbage. Then cut it in half and place the cut side down on the chopping board. Slice the cabbage and discard the core.
Add some olive oil to a large pan and heat it to medium-high.After that, sauté the chopped cabbage with the (hot) paprika for 3-4 minutes while stirring consistently.
Next, add the tamari sauce, chili flakes and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, so that the cabbage can soak the flavors, but doesn’t become too soft.
Have a taste and then add more tamari sauce or salt if needed.
Enjoy this delicious, easy, and healthy cabbage side dish!

How to Store the Spicy Cabbage

In case you cooked more of this spicy cabbage recipe than you needed you can easily store it in a closed airtight container in the fridge for as long as 3 days. Then, when you need a tasty cabbage side for your main dish, just reheat it in the pan or microwave and enjoy. This could be a great option for meal prep as well.

How to Serve the Spicy Sautéed Cabbage

This spicy cabbage recipe can yield an excellent side dish for:

Meat, such as pork, beef, lamb or chicken
Plant-based sources of protein like tofu
Grains, such as rice or bulgur
And you can even use it in sandwiches or burgers

More Options

If you want to test its versatility, you can also add some more spices of your choice, such as black pepper, crushed red pepper, or even cumin.

More Healthy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

I truly hope you enjoy this spicy sautéed cabbage as a healthy side dish for your favorite meat- or grain-based meals! If you’re looking for other vegetable sides, here are a few more recipes to try:

Simple Green Beans And Tomatoes
10-Minute Skillet Asparagus
Simple Tomato Cucumber Salad

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

This quick and easy spicy cabbage recipe is the perfect healthy vegetable side dish for meat or rice and it’s gluten-free!

Ingredients

4 cups cabbage
1 tbsp tamari sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp hot paprika (or more if needed)
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
Optional: 1/2 tsp cumin
Salt to taste

Instructions

Remove the damaged outer leaves and wash the cabbage. Then cut it in half and place the cut side down on the chopping board. Slice the cabbage and discard the core.
Add some olive oil to a large pan and heat it to medium-high.After that, sauté the chopped cabbage with the (hot) paprika for 3-4 minutes while stirring consistently.
Next, add the tamari sauce, and chili flakes then stir in the minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, so that the cabbage can soak the flavors, but doesn’t become too soft.
Have a taste and then add more tamari sauce, spice or salt if needed.
Enjoy this delicious, easy, and healthy cabbage side dish!

Nutrition Information

Yield 2 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 152Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 822mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 7gSugar 9gProtein 6g