27 Ways to Use Cabbage That Aren’t Just Coleslaw

Cabbage is one of those vegetables that often gets stuck in a coleslaw rut, but it can be so much more. From quick sautés to hearty soups, there are tons of ways to make cabbage the star of your meals. Whether you're looking for a simple side or something more filling, these recipes are great for getting the most out of this versatile veggie. Ready to see cabbage in a whole new light? You're going to love these flavorful and easy-to-make dishes that go way beyond the usual slaw.

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Vegan Cabbage Soup (Easy, One Pot). Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks are an easy way to enjoy cabbage in a healthy side dish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe offers a flavorful alternative to traditional coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Ethiopian Cabbage

Ethiopian cabbage, or Atakilt Wat, is a one-pot stew bursting with warm spices and simple pantry veggies. This flavorful dish makes excellent use of cabbage in a vegan meal that can be ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Vegan Cabbage Fritters

An overhead image of cooked cabbage fritters in a pan. — Vegan Cabbage Fritters. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan fritters with cabbage and onions, also known as pakoras, are crispy and perfect for a snack. These fritters are a tasty way to enjoy cabbage outside of slaw, especially during cold weather.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cabbage Fritters

Easy One-Pot Cabbage Soup

This one-pot cabbage soup is rich in nutrients and flavor, making it a great weeknight dinner option. The soup highlights cabbage in a comforting, filling dish that can be made in large batches for easy meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Easy Cabbage Curry

An overhead image of cooked cabbage curry in a round plate. — Easy Cabbage Curry. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A simple cabbage curry that’s both vegan and gluten-free, this dish is ready in just 25 minutes. It’s a quick and nutritious way to use cabbage in a flavorful weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry

Crockpot Ham and Cabbage

Crockpot ham and cabbage soup combines leftover ham with vegetables in a creamy broth. This easy-to-make soup transforms cabbage into a comforting meal that’s perfect for using up pantry ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Ham and Cabbage

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.

Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms come together in this quick stir fry, perfect for a busy night. This Asian-inspired dish shows how cabbage can shine in a fast, flavorful meal that’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls in a serving dish with sauce. — Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Ukrainian Holubtsi, or stuffed cabbage rolls, is a traditional dish filled with hearty ingredients. This comforting recipe makes cabbage the star of a meal that goes far beyond simple salads or slaws.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Instant Pot Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes & Carrots

Close-up image of instant pot corned beef cabbage potatoes andd carrots. — Instant Pot Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes & Carrots. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Instant Pot Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes & Carrots is a classic family meal made easy with the pressure cooker. Cabbage takes on a tender, flavorful role in this hearty dish that’s perfect for any time of year, not just St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes & Carrots

Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage is a classic family meal, and the Instant Pot makes it even easier. Cabbage is cooked to tender perfection in this hearty dish that’s ideal for more than just St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Unstuffed cabbage rolls combine beef, tomatoes, and cabbage in a simplified version of the classic recipe. This one-pan meal offers a faster way to enjoy the flavors of cabbage rolls without the extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon. — Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried cabbage with bacon and onions is a quick, flavorful dish that comes together in just 25 minutes. It’s a simple recipe that brings out the best in cabbage without relying on traditional coleslaw preparations.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

A bowl of chicken and cabbage soup is shown on a rustic wooden cutting board with parsley and a red linen. — Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Chicken and cabbage soup blends tender chicken thighs with vegetables, ginger, and garlic. Cabbage takes center stage in this warming soup that’s both filling and easy to prepare for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

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

Cheesy cabbage beef casserole is a one-pan recipe made in a cast iron skillet. This hearty, family-friendly dish uses cabbage in a comforting, cheesy meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Crispy Garlic Air Fryer Cabbage

Air fryer cabbage steaks are seasoned with garlic and onion, creating crispy edges and tender centers. This modern recipe shows how to make cabbage a flavorful side dish that’s much more than coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Garlic Air Fryer Cabbage

Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

A picture of cabbage sausage white plate wooden fork. — Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Cabbage and sausage Alfredo is a creamy skillet dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. This quick and family-friendly recipe highlights cabbage in a new way, smothered in a rich Alfredo sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

Skillet Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic

Overhead image of skillet cabbage with bacon and garlic in a bowl. — Skillet Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Skillet Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic is a simple yet flavorful dish that comes together in just one pan. Cabbage is cooked with crispy bacon and garlic, making it a quick and savory side dish that’s far from your usual coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic

Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Cast iron bowl with cabbage and sausage. — Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Fried cabbage and sausage skillet is a timeless recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes or less. This budget-friendly meal makes cabbage the centerpiece of a hearty dish that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Cabbage Apple Salad

Red cabbage slaw in a wooden bowl with a spoon. — Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Cabbage apple salad combines red cabbage with crisp Golden Delicious apples and a tangy dressing. This refreshing dish is a crunchy, vibrant alternative to coleslaw that works in any season.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

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 sautéed cabbage is cooked in a rich onion, tomato, and pepper sauce until perfectly tender. This savory dish highlights cabbage in a deliciously different way from your typical slaw or salad.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cabbage with Peppers

Cabbage Au Gratin

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

Cabbage gratin turns cabbage wedges into a creamy, cheesy side dish. Roasted cabbage topped with Gouda and a flavorful sauce makes this a rich, indulgent option far beyond basic slaw.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Au Gratin

Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

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

Golumpki stuffed cabbage rolls are a traditional Polish dish filled with hearty ingredients. This recipe makes cabbage the star in a flavorful, comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Hot and Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

Hot and sour shredded Napa cabbage salad brings bold Asian-inspired flavors to the table. Crunchy cabbage, carrots, and almonds are tossed in a tangy marinade, offering a refreshing change from coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage and sausage come together in a one-pan meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes. This filling and easy-to-make dish shows how versatile cabbage can be, offering more than just salad options.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage Vegetable Soup

This cabbage vegetable soup is packed with nutritious vegetables and is perfect for a light, healthy meal. It’s a freezer-friendly recipe that highlights cabbage in a simple, satisfying dish beyond coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Vegetable Soup

Smothered Cabbage

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

Smothered cabbage is a Southern favorite that transforms cabbage into a tender, flavorful side dish. This recipe is a great way to use up fresh cabbage, especially when you're looking for something beyond slaw.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Cabbage

Easy Pickled Cabbage

Pickled cabbage is an easy recipe that adds a crunchy, tangy bite to many dishes. This simple preparation shows how cabbage can be transformed into a versatile condiment that’s perfect for topping sandwiches or salads.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pickled Cabbage

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts cut into half. — 27 Brussels Sprouts Recipes That Prove Veggies Can Be Exciting. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Transform dinner with these delicious Brussels sprout recipes that make veggies thrilling and satisfying!
Read it Here: 27 Brussels Sprouts Recipes That Prove Veggies Can Be Exciting

Eggplant shakshuka in pan. — 15 Eggplant Recipes So Good, You'll Forget They're Vegetables. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Elevate your fall meals with these irresistible eggplant dishes that redefine veggie comfort food!
Read it Here: 15 Eggplant Recipes So Good, You'll Forget They're Vegetables