Cabbage gets a bad rap for being the boring veggie stuck in slaw, but it’s got way more potential than that. It’s like the secret weapon of cold-weather dinners. Whether you’re tossing it into soups, stir-fries, or even making cabbage steaks (yes, that’s a thing), you’ll be surprised how this underrated vegetable can turn into something great. Stop thinking of cabbage as a sidekick and give it the spotlight it deserves with these dinner recipes.
Instant Pot Cabbage Soup
This Instant Pot cabbage soup is packed with wholesome ingredients in a tomato base. It’s a quick, cozy meal that makes cabbage shine, perfect for colder months.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cabbage Soup
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
A quick stir fry with pork, cabbage, and mushrooms, ready in no time. It’s an easy dinner that shows off how cabbage can hold its own in stir fry dishes.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
This sheet pan dinner pairs pork chops with red cabbage, potatoes, and apples. It’s a one-pan meal that’s great for weeknights when you want something hearty with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Sheet Pan Meal Prep Tofu
Tofu, cabbage, and peppers come together in this easy sheet pan recipe, great for meal prep or a simple vegetarian dinner that’ll keep you set for the week.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Meal Prep Tofu
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage come together in this simple skillet meal. With a light savory sauce and plenty of texture, this dinner is a great weeknight go-to.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Forget slaw—these stuffed cabbage rolls filled with beef, pork, and rice covered in a rich sauce show cabbage in a whole new light. A perfect cozy meal for a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Classic Colcannon Recipe
Potatoes and cabbage come together in this Irish classic. This is one of those side dishes that really proves cabbage can be great beyond the salad bowl.
Get the Recipe: Classic Colcannon Recipe
Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
A combo of bratwurst, sauerkraut, onions, and apples that packs a punch. It’s one of those no-fuss meals that makes cabbage feel like the star, not a side.
Get the Recipe: Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
Cabbage Vegetable Soup
A one-pot wonder loaded with cabbage and veggies in a tomato base. Fast, easy, and perfect for busy nights when you need something that feels hearty and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Vegetable Soup
Irish Tacos with Potatoes, Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Onions
Tacos, but make them Irish. Packed with cabbage, corned beef, and potatoes, these tacos are a playful way to put cabbage front and center.
Get the Recipe: Irish Tacos with Potatoes, Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Onions
Sausage and Cabbage Pasta
This hearty pasta dish shows cabbage can do more than just sit in a salad. Tossed with sausage and pasta, it’s a simple, satisfying dinner that’ll change how you see this veggie.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Cabbage Pasta
Cabbage Roll Casserole
All the goodness of stuffed cabbage without the work. Cabbage is baked with beef, tomato sauce, and melty cheese for a meal that’s big on flavor and low on effort.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Roll Casserole
Cabbage Udon Stir Fry
Cabbage meets noodles in this quick stir fry that’s way better than takeout. It’s crunchy, flavorful, and ready in minutes—proof that cabbage isn’t just for coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Udon Stir Fry
Easy Ginger Bok Choy Noodle Soup With Pork
Tender cabbage and bok choy mixed into a fragrant noodle soup with pork. It’s a fast, tasty soup that turns cabbage into the perfect weeknight dinner ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ginger Bok Choy Noodle Soup With Pork
Ground Pork Stir Fry with Cabbage
Ground pork and cabbage make for a great stir fry that’s done in under 30 minutes. An easy way to sneak in more cabbage while keeping dinner simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Stir Fry with Cabbage
Smoked Sausage and Fried Cabbage
Southern-style smoked sausage meets cabbage in this simple fried dish. A great side for BBQ mains or as a stand-alone meal when you want something easy and filling.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sausage and Fried Cabbage
Ground Beef Stir Fry With Rainbow Veggies
A colorful stir fry with ground beef and cabbage that’s ready in 20 minutes. With its bright veggies and bold flavors, it’s the kind of fast meal that makes cabbage fun.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry With Rainbow Veggies
Sweet and Sour Cabbage Stir Fry with Pork
Cabbage takes on sweet and sour in this stir fry with ground pork. Serve it with rice or noodles for a quick and easy meal that shakes up your weeknight rotation.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Cabbage Stir Fry with Pork
Cabbage Steaks
Roasted cabbage “steaks” are a simple yet unexpected way to use cabbage. A great side dish or even a vegetarian main that proves cabbage doesn’t need to be boring.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Steaks
Korean Kimchi Pizza
Kimchi and cabbage on pizza? Yes, it works. This Korean-inspired pie is spicy, cheesy, and ready in about 35 minutes. You’ll never look at cabbage the same way again.
Get the Recipe: Korean Kimchi Pizza
Best Baked Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
This baked corned beef with cabbage takes the traditional St. Patrick’s Day dish and roasts it with potatoes and leeks for a rich, fork-tender dinner that’s easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Best Baked Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Stuffed Cabbage Soup
Love stuffed cabbage but hate the work? This soup takes all the classic flavors of cabbage rolls and serves them up in an easy, one-pot dish without the hassle of rolling.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Soup
Frittata Cavolo
This cabbage frittata is quick, easy, and perfect with a slice of bread. A great way to use cabbage in your breakfast routine or as a light dinner that packs a healthy punch.
Get the Recipe: Frittata Cavolo
Japanese-style Soy Milk Soup with Bacon and Cabbage
Soy milk, bacon, and cabbage come together in this comforting soup that’s ready in just 20 minutes. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that’s anything but your average cabbage dish.
Get the Recipe: Japanese-style Soy Milk Soup with Bacon and Cabbage
Dry Cabbage and Potato Curry
Cabbage and potatoes star in this Indian-inspired curry. Serve with flatbread or rice for a flavorful meal that highlights cabbage in a whole new way.
Get the Recipe: Dry Cabbage and Potato Curry
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.