Steamed Cabbage Surprisingly Delicious

Ready in just 20 minutes, this is one of my favorite vegetable side dishes to cook during the week, when I’m often pressed for time. I really like cabbage. I’m not a big fan of eating it raw unless it comes in the form of tasty coleslaw or this delicious Asian cabbage salad. But when cooked, I find it so very tasty. And this particular recipe is especially good. I also like how easy this recipe is. I am lazy about side dishes (well, about recipes in general actually), so I like them to be as easy as possible. This recipe fits the bill. It’s a delicious and easy side dish that comes together quickly and effortlessly.

Ingredients

It may not look like much. But this simple steamed cabbage, seasoned with butter and garlic, is a delicacy. And you’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make it! The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need: Fresh cabbage: I use green cabbage in this recipe. You can try using red cabbage if you’d like - it should work just as well as green. Unsalted butter: If all you have is salted, that’s fine, but then you might want to use a little less salt. Minced garlic: You can mince a fresh garlic clove, or use jarred minced garlic. Naturally, if you mince it by yourself it will taste better. Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt rather than kosher salt, I suggest you reduce the amount you use by half. Red pepper flakes: These are not crucial, and I mostly add them for garnish. But they do add a nice layer of flavor without overwhelming the dish with their heat. I also like to garnish the dish with dried parsley, which is purely optional.

Instructions

Steaming cabbage is so easy! And the best part: there’s no need for a special steamer! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

Expert tip

The main issue that arises when making this recipe is that you really do need to gently cook the cabbage over medium heat. Cover the skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. When the dish starts to steam, lower the heat to medium. Steam, covered, for about 5 minutes. Then remove the lid and cook for 2 more minutes, to allow the remaining water to evaporate. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cook for 2 more minutes, then serve. If the heat is too high and the pan gets too hot, the cabbage might dry out, stick to the bottom of the pan, and even burn. So make sure you keep the heat to medium. And if needed, add a bit of water to the bottom of the pan.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

The best way to vary this recipe is to use different toppings for the cooked cabbage. You could, for example, sprinkle it with grated parmesan or bacon bits. For an Asian flavor profile, instead of butter, you could drizzle it with soy sauce (or a gluten-free alternative) and sesame oil and sprinkle some chopped scallions on top.

Serving suggestions

This is such a versatile side dish. It goes with anything! I often serve it with pork, either baked pork chops or pork roast. It’s also good with chicken dishes such as crispy baked chicken legs.