This Quick Vegan Cabbage is so simple and tasty. It's tangy and sweet with a satisfying texture that makes it a great main dish or side.
Sauteed cabbage has the best texture, softened but still with delicious chew. I love this recipe for Quick Vegan Cabbage because it's simple, but oh so satisfying. I will sometimes eat is as a light lunch, or make it as a quick side dish for my dinner. Either way, it works well with whatever I'm serving.
Cabbage is really versatile, so you can add other vegetables, make it spicy, or add your favorite toppings before serving. Its tangy, sweet flavor from the apple cider vinegar and onions is good with so many other ingredients, you can make this work with anything. Let's take a more detailed look at the main ingredients.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Cabbage. Use a medium or small head of cabbage for this recipe.
- Onion. Adds sweetness and some extra flavor.
- Carrots. Adds great color.
- Oil. You can use any oil, but I prefer olive oil or grapeseed oil.
- Tomato Paste. This enhances the flavors.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. This ingredients adds delicious acidity that the dish really needs. Don't skip it.
- Salt and Pepper. To taste.
How to make it
1. First, add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onions for 1 minute or until they start to soften. Then add the carrots, and cook for a few more minutes.
2. Add the cabbage and cook for 15 minutes, or until it has softened to your preference.
3. To the skillet, add the apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and salt and pepper (to taste). Stir everything together well and turn off the heat. Now garnish the dish with fresh parsley or dill and serve.
Tips for the best Quick Vegan Cabbage
- Slice the cabbage thin. Cutting the cabbage into thin slices makes it easier to eat as well as easier to cook. The thinner pieces will cook evenly and quicker than thick slices.
- Don't overcook the cabbage. While it's pretty hard to overcook cabbage since it's a very forgiving veggie, you should only cook it enough to soften it to your liking. This will be around 15 minutes, give or take.
- Cook it to your preference. Make this Quick Vegan Cabbage to fit you preference by cooking it more or less than the recommended time. Since cabbage is even edible raw, there is no way to undercook it.
- Don't skip the apple cider vinegar. This ingredient adds a ton of contrast and flavor. It really enhances the cabbage and adds depth to the tomato paste. You don't want to skip this amazing flavor booster.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Add herbs. Try this recipe with the addition of fresh herbs in the cabbage or as a topping. Dill, cilantro, and parsley are all great choices.
- Add other vegetables. Add some celery, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Make it spicy. Try this Quick Vegan Cabbage with fresh jalapeno slices, Sriracha, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper added for a burst of heat.
- Add seeds. Adding sesame seeds on top of this cabbage dish is absolutely delicious. You can also try it with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemps seeds, or poppy seeds.
How to Store
Store any leftovers of this Quick Vegan Cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can reheat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes in a microwave-safe dish. Or you can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Stir often until warmed through.
What to Serve with it
- Grains. Serve this dish over a bed of rice, quinoa, sorghum, millet, or bulgur. You can also serve it with Mushroom Rice, Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, or Quick and Tasty Bulgur Salad.
- Proteins. Enjoy it alongside some Black Bean Tacos, Quick Maple Sriracha Tofu, Vegan Black Bean Burgers, or Easy Hummus Wraps.
- Pasta. Serve this with pasta, such as this Creamy Lemon Spaghetti, Mushroom Bolognese Pasta, or Sun Dried Tomato Pasta.
- Potatoes. Pair this Quick Vegan Cabbage with Eggplant Potato Patties, Potato Curry with Peas, Paprika Baked Potato, or Garlic Smashed Potatoes.
I hope you love this Quick Vegan Cabbage as much as we do. It's easy, delicious, and makes a great prep-ahead meal. Make a double batch to get your through the week. It's versatile enough to always taste fresh!
More tasty cabbage recipes:
- Cabbage and Rice
- Braised Cabbage and Vegetables
- Quick Cabbage Steaks
- Whole Roasted Cabbage
- Easy Pickled Cabbage
Quick Vegan Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 small cabbage, thinly sliced (about 2 lbs.)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 small carrots, shredded
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- ¾ tsp. sea salt or to taste
- ½ tsp. pepper or to taste
Instructions
- First, add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onions for 1 minute or until they start to soften. Then add the carrots, and cook for a few more minutes.1 medium onion, diced, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 2 small carrots, shredded
- Add the cabbage and cook for 15 minutes, or until it has softened to your preference.1 small cabbage, thinly sliced
- To the skillet, add the apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and salt and pepper (to taste). Stir everything together well and turn off the heat. Now garnish the dish with fresh parsley or dill and serve.1 tbsp. tomato paste, 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, ¾ tsp. sea salt, ½ tsp. pepper
Video Tutorial
Notes
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Add herbs. Try this recipe with the addition of fresh herbs in the cabbage or as a topping. Dill, cilantro, and parsley are all great choices.
- Add other vegetables. Add some celery, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Make it spicy. Try this Quick Vegan Cabbage with fresh jalapeno slices, Sriracha, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper added for a burst of heat.
- Add seeds. Adding sesame seeds on top of this cabbage dish is absolutely delicious. You can also try it with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemps seeds, or poppy seeds.
Most veggie recipes start with onions and garlic, or onions, garlic and ginger. I was delighted that just apple cider vinegar and tomato paste together taste so yummy. Thank you for offering a flavorful alternative which saves us from all that messy garlic prep.
Thank you, Mr Pjamma! I'm glad you liked the recipe!
This was really good, I made it a few times already and I always enjoy it a lot.
Thank you so much for the rating, Sid! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Just made this for the 3rd time in two months. It’s now a staple I must have.
The only thing I do differently is add garlic.
Thank you so much for the recipe.
Thank you so much for the rating, Barbara!
Loved it, added crushed peppers and ate it as a meal, would be good with an egg on top too!
Thank you so much for the rating, Danielle! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Can I freeze it?Thank you.
Hi Estrellita! I don't think this would freeze well. Thanks for spotting by and for the recipe rating!