3 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Cabbage (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

Follow

updated May 1, 2019

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Cabbage (1)

A few years ago I gave my local CSA a try. I love frequenting the farmers market, but thought it would be a nice challenge to learn to work with the boxes that were given to me. I held up just fine until the cabbage starting rolling in.

Up until then I never really gave cabbage a chance. I’d only really eaten it boiled with corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day, or in the form of sauerkraut. Turns out I just needed to change the way I was cooking it. Here are the three mistakes I made and now want you to avoid in your quest to cook better cabbage.

1. Not utilizing other cooking methods than boiling.

Well, that is unless you like the taste of boiled cabbage and the funky smell that wafts through your kitchen when cooking it. Cutting it into wedges and roasting or grilling it results in a tender vegetable with crispy blackened edges. Remember when no one liked Brussels sprouts either? That’s because they only knew them to be boiled and mushy. Once people started roasting them at a high heat, perhaps with a little extra salt and fat (like bacon), it was a game-changer.

You can also try slicing cabbage thin and sautéing it to maintain some of its crunchy texture. Or embrace it raw in refreshing coleslaws and salads.

Tip: If you do like the taste and texture of boiled cabbage, but aren’t a fan of the smell, try steaming it instead. You’ll get similar results, but this cooking method reduces the amount of odor that’s released.

2. Not choosing the right variety.

Not all cabbage is the same, and reaching for the right type based on how you want to eat it can result in a far superior end result. Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it’s best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect.

Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage. Its leaves are also a bit more tender than the leaves of other cabbages, making it a great substitute for sandwich wraps. Napa is an oblong-shaped cabbage that has a sweet, soft flavor that’s best enjoyed raw or lightly stir-fried. And finally, bok choy has a flavor and texture that’s more similar to spinach or Swiss chard than other types of cabbage; it shines when it’s simply sautéed.

3. Not salting it when needed.

If you’re using your cabbage for coleslaw, try salting it first before combining it with the other ingredients. Toss a head of shredded cabbage with one tablespoon of salt, let it sit in a colander for at least an hour, and then squeeze out as much liquid as you can. This helps expel a good chunk of excess moisture that’s hidden in the cabbage that would otherwise result in a soggy slaw.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Cabbage (2024)

FAQs

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Cabbage? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What is the healthiest way to eat cabbage? ›

Although you get different nutrients if you cook or ferment it, raw red cabbage in particular might give you the best nutritional boost per serving. Slice it very thinly and leave it for about 10 minutes to help bring out the fullest, most complex flavors. Then add it to salads or sandwiches or turn it into coleslaw.

What are the side effects of eating cabbage everyday? ›

An increase in goitrin and thiocyanates inhibits thyroid function and benzyl cyanide can result in potential adverse effects (dermal and respiratory manifestations). Eating cabbage in excess can result in abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and flatulence.

What happens when you put salt in a cabbage? ›

The salt then draws moisture out of the cabbage's cells through osmosis, forming a salty brine. This brine is important because it submerges the cabbage and deprives the Lactobacillus and other microorganisms of oxygen – the second step!

How do you get rid of bugs in cabbage before cooking? ›

Douse the cabbage in vinegar water, if desired.

An old trick to use is to leave the cabbage lightly doused in vinegar water for a couple of minutes before proceeding to wash the cabbage with water. Usually between two or four minutes.

How do you get the gas out of cabbage? ›

In a saucepan, bring a small amount of water or stock to a boil. Add cabbage. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes. This allows some of the strong-smelling hydrogen sulfite gas that is emitted during cooking to dissipate.

How do you take the bitterness out of cabbage? ›

Chop and soak: Soaking chopped cabbage in cold water for about 15 minutes will leach out most of the bitter and harsh flavor compounds, while also making the cabbage crisper. This is especially vital for leaf cabbage, but also works with firmer head cabbage varieties.

Why does cabbage cleanse you out? ›

Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.

What does eating cabbage everyday do to your body? ›

Packed with phytosterols (plant sterols) and insoluble fiber, cabbage can help keep your digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular. It fuels the good bacteria in your gut that protects your immune system and produces essential nutrients.

How many times a week should you eat cabbage? ›

To get the most benefit, try to consume ½ to ¾ cup cooked or 1 ½ cup raw cabbage per day at least 5 days per week. This is pretty easy to do since there are so many ways to prepare cabbage. Traditional methods of steaming or boiling cabbage can extract flavor and nutrients.

When should you not eat cabbage? ›

Under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism): Cabbage might make this condition worse. Check with your healthcare provider before consuming cabbage if you have an under-active thyroid gland. Surgery: Cabbage might affect blood sugar levels and could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.

What organ is cabbage good for? ›

Cabbage is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. Some research suggests that it may have health benefits that include supporting digestion and heart health, among others. Despite its impressive nutrient content, cabbage is often overlooked.

Does cabbage help joint pain? ›

Cabbage wrap is an easy and inexpensive home remedy to relieve inflammation, pain or swelling. In folk healing, cabbage wraps have been used for inflamed varicose veins, breast inflammation and arthritis, for example.

Why does baking soda turn cabbage blue? ›

contain anthocyanin, a molecule that is a reddish colour in its naturally acidic environment: fruit. But, when it comes into contact with alkaline ingredients (the baking soda in a cake batter, for ex.), the anthocyanin turns blue.

What happens when you add baking soda to red cabbage? ›

The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid). The baking soda will turn the cabbage juice greenish-yellow because it is a base (sodium bicarbonate).

What is the disadvantage of using baking soda to vegetables? ›

This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C.

How do you avoid gas when eating cabbage? ›

One way to cut down on some of the gas-producing effects is to choose cooked cabbage over raw. “Generally speaking, cooking can help reduce this effect by 'softening' the fiber, making it a little bit easier on the digestive system,” explains Cording.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jamar Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5767

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jamar Nader

Birthday: 1995-02-28

Address: Apt. 536 6162 Reichel Greens, Port Zackaryside, CT 22682-9804

Phone: +9958384818317

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Scrapbooking, Hiking, Hunting, Kite flying, Blacksmithing, Video gaming, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Jamar Nader, I am a fine, shiny, colorful, bright, nice, perfect, curious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.