27 Cabbage Recipes That Will Make You Forget It’s a “Cheap” Ingredient

Cabbage recipes don’t have to feel like a budget backup plan. This humble ingredient can turn into great meals that taste way beyond their price tag. Whether it’s crisp, rich, or packed with bold flavors, cabbage knows how to hold its own. It’s time to stop thinking of it as just cheap and start seeing it as the star it can be.

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.

Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy Cabbage Curry

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

This easy cabbage curry comes together in 25 minutes, making it great for busy weeknights. Packed with bold flavors, it turns cabbage into something worth craving.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry

Vegan Cabbage Fritters

These crispy cabbage and onion fritters make a great snack, especially when the weather cools down. Light, crunchy, and packed with flavor, they prove cabbage can be anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cabbage Fritters

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks are an easy side dish that brings out deep, rich flavors in just 35 minutes. A simple way to turn cabbage into something worth making again.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one-pot cabbage soup is packed with bold flavors and comes together quickly. Great for meal prep, it’s a filling dish that makes cabbage the star.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Ethiopian Cabbage

Atakilt Wat is a spiced Ethiopian cabbage stew that’s ready in 30 minutes. A simple mix of pantry ingredients turns cabbage into a bold and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Sauerkraut

Homemade sauerkraut takes just cabbage and salt, creating a dish packed with probiotics. A simple way to enjoy cabbage while adding great texture and tang to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut

Cabbage Vegetable Soup

This cabbage vegetable soup is colorful, easy to make, and loaded with bold flavor. Fire-roasted tomatoes give it extra depth, making it a great one-pot meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Vegetable Soup

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 takes only 25 minutes to make and delivers big flavor. The mix of crispy bacon, onion, and cabbage proves this ingredient is far from basic.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage and sausage come together in this fast, one-pan meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a great way to turn simple ingredients into something filling.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage Au Gratin

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

This cheesy cabbage gratin combines roasted cabbage with a creamy Gouda sauce and crispy bacon. A rich and comforting way to make cabbage feel anything but plain.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Au Gratin

Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

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

Cabbage beef casserole is a one-pan dish that’s simple and filling. This easy comfort food makes cabbage part of a meal that’s worth digging into.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

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 is packed with tender chicken, potatoes, and deep flavors. A great option when you need something cozy, hearty, and simple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

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.

This stir-fry pairs ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms with a bold, savory sauce. Quick to make and full of flavor, it’s a great choice for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

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 with onion and tomato until tender and rich. The deep flavors make it a great way to enjoy cabbage in a simple dish.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cabbage with Peppers

Instant Pot Cabbage Soup

This Instant Pot cabbage soup is quick, hearty, and easy to prepare. The tomato base and simple ingredients make it a great go-to meal when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cabbage Soup

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 stir-fry is ready in just 30 minutes and packed with flavor. A great weeknight dinner that turns cabbage into something bold and filling.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

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 quick, budget-friendly meal that’s done in under 30 minutes. A simple way to turn everyday ingredients into something satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Quick-pickled Russian Sauerkraut

This cabbage, cranberry, and carrot pickle starts fresh and turns tangy after a few days. A great way to add bold, punchy flavor to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Quick-pickled Russian Sauerkraut

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, savory dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. A great way to turn cabbage into a rich, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

A picture of cabbage stir fry in cast iron skillet. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This quick ground beef and cabbage stir-fry comes together in under 20 minutes. A simple, filling meal that proves cabbage works for more than just slaw.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

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 bring bold, hearty flavors to the table. This classic Polish dish turns cabbage into something rich and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage Soup

This bold cabbage soup is packed with fire-roasted tomatoes and soft potatoes. A great option when you need a filling, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Soup

Braised Cabbage

Braised cabbage is slow-cooked until tender, bringing out deep, rich flavors. Whether served as a main or a side, it’s a great way to make cabbage shine.
Get the Recipe: Braised Cabbage

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, are a classic comfort food worth the effort. A hearty meal that proves cabbage can be the base of something special.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

White Bean Apple Cabbage Slaw

A white plate with cabbage slaw, sliced apples, and white beans on a metal sheet pan with a beige linen napkin. — White Bean Apple Cabbage Slaw. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This apple cabbage slaw with white beans is crunchy, tangy, and easy to make. A fresh side dish that works great for BBQs, potlucks, or everyday meals.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Apple Cabbage Slaw

Smothered Cabbage

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

Smothered cabbage is a Southern favorite that turns cabbage into a rich, tender dish. A great choice when you want something beyond the usual slaw.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Cabbage

Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing

A picture of low-carb coleslaw recipe with creamy dressing in glass bowl. — Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This simple coleslaw combines crisp cabbage with a creamy, dairy-free dressing. A great mix of sweet and tangy flavors, making it a perfect side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing