15 Ways To Enjoy Cabbage Beyond Coleslaw

Cabbage often gets sidelined as just an ingredient for coleslaw, but it’s capable of so much more. This versatile vegetable can be transformed into a variety of dishes that showcase its flavor and texture in surprising ways. Here are 15 creative dishes to enjoy cabbage beyond the usual salad. It’s a humble vegetable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t discover new favorites!

A colorful salad with red cabbage, noodles, green onions, and raisins in a white bowl, served with a golden dressing on the side. — Photo credit: Feels Like Home.

Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage

Purple cabbage steaks roasted until crispy in the air fryer on a plate. — Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air fryer cabbage will quickly become your new favorite way to eat it. Simply seasoned with garlic, onion and salt, these cabbage steaks come out perfectly tender with crispy edges when cooked in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage

Instant Pot Cabbage Soup

Ground beef cabbage soup made in the Instant Pot in a white serving bowl. — Instant Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cabbage soup made in the Instant Pot is comforting, cozy and packed with wholesome ingredients in a flavorful tomato base.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cabbage Soup

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground pork and purple cabbage stir fry in a white pan. — Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A quick and easy stir fry recipe using ground pork, cabbage and mushrooms in a delicious Asian inspired sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ground beef and cabbage makes an easy skillet dinner loosely inspired by an Asian stir fry. With tons of texture, aromatic spices and a light savory sauce, this 30-minute meal is a weeknight winner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Pork chops with purple cabbage and apples on a baking sheet. — Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These quick and easy sheet pan pork chops are served with red cabbage, potatoes and apples. It’s an all in one meal great for hectic weeknights with just one pan to clean up afterwards – the perfect recipe!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Corned Beef Tacos

These corned beef tacos are served with a creamy spicy mustard sauce, a simple cabbage carrot slaw and topped with microgreens.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Tacos

Krautfleckerl

A wooden spoon holding egg noodles with ham and shredded cheese, with more pasta blurred in the background. — Photo credit: The Cheerful Cook.

Experience the warmth and comfort of a traditional German dish with this delicious fried cabbage and noodle recipe: crispy bacon, savory ham, caramelized cabbage and onions, tender pasta, and a hint of nutty Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Krautfleckerl

Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Cabbage beef casserole inside cast iron. — Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

This cheesy cabbage beef casserole made in a cast iron is the easiest as well as so delicious one-pan recipe for your whole family to enjoy. Fully low carb and gluten-free, this easy comfort food is filled with only the best one can offer.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Roasted Cabbage Steaks Recipe

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted cabbage steaks: Thick cabbage slices oven roasted in bacon fat, then loaded with delicious toppings and a creamy garlic dressing.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks Recipe

Sauteed cabbage with peppers

A plate with mashed potatoes and meat on it. — Sauteed cabbage with peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian sauteed cabbage is cooked in a smoky onion, tomato and pepper sauce, until it is silky, glistening and melting in your mouth.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed cabbage with peppers

Asian Ramen Noodle Salad

Learn how to whip up a straightforward yet delicious ramen noodle salad. Using basic ingredients like cabbage and sesame seeds, and dressed in a simple Asian vinaigrette, this salad is a quick and healthy way to enjoy cabbage with a twist.

Get the Recipe: Asian Ramen Noodle Salad

Cabbage Au Gratin

A casserole dish filled with cabbage, cheese and bacon. — Cabbage Au Gratin. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This keto-friendly side dish transforms cabbage into a delicious, cheesy gratin. It involves roasting cabbage wedges, then topping them with a creamy sauce made with heavy whipping cream, Italian seasoning, and thyme. Finished with shredded Gouda cheese and an optional bacon garnish, this recipe offers a sumptuous and flavorful way to enjoy cabbage.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Au Gratin

Smothered Cabbage

A bowl of cabbage and sausage. — Smothered Cabbage. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This smothered cabbage with smoked sausage recipe is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines chopped cabbage and sliced smoked sausage with spices such as smoked paprika, chile powder, fennel seeds, and celery seeds. Prepared in just 35 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Cabbage

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl. — Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Satisfy your cravings with a delicious, classic side dish of Southern fried cabbage with bacon. This easy recipe makes an incredibly flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Two cabbage rolls on a plate with fork. — Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Experience an authentic Polish dish with this easy Golumpki recipe! Try these cabbage rolls today for a hearty meal that is sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

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.