Easy Fried Cabbage with Caraway Seeds
Fried cabbage with caraway seeds is the perfect recipe to introduce fresh cabbage to family dinner. Tossed in melted butter and a little crispy at the edges, this side dish is perfect with pork or corned beef.
Most cabbage recipes have a very strong flavor and can be tricky for picky eaters to accept.
If you've only ever had traditional steamed cabbage or sauerkraut, you're missing out on one of the most delicious ways to serve fresh cabbage as part of family dinner!
Shred this budget-friendly fresh veggie, toss it with melted butter, and cook it until slightly crispy at the edges.
The caraway seeds sprinkled throughout give crunch and a delicious savory flavor. They are absolutely my favorite part!
I love to serve this easy side dish with seasoned pork chops but it would pair perfectly with your St. Patrick's Day dinner or even a roasted chicken!
Why This is the Best Recipe
- Budget-Friendly: Cabbage has been loved by generations for being a hearty veggie perfect for the family grocery budget.
- So Tasty: If you've never had cabbage cooked in butter, you'll be surprised at just how delicious this easy side dish is when served with pork or chicken.
- Easy to Cook: Even beginner cooks will have no trouble making golden brown crispy cabbage with these simple tips.
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Ingredients
To make fried cabbage, you only need a few things:
- Fresh Cabbage
- Butter and/or Olive Oil
- Caraway Seeds
- Kosher Salt & Pepper
How to Shred Fresh Cabbage
If you've never cooked a fresh cabbage before, you'll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to prepare for cooking.
First, peel away the outer two or three leaves of the cabbage until you have a smooth, clean head of cabbage.
Slice the cabbage in half with a large chef's knife.
You'll see the solid white core of the cabbage running from the base up the middle of the vegetable. Cut the core out of the middle and discard.
The lay each half of the cabbage down, slice it in half lengthwise, and then neatly slice it in very thin strips like this:
The thinly shredded cabbage slices will cook much faster and be easier to eat.
Cook the Cabbage
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt a combination of butter and olive oil in the pan.
The butter gives the final dish a wonderful flavor while the olive oil helps prevent the butter from burning or browning too quickly.
Add the cabbage to the skillet, stir it to coat in the butter, and then let it sit for a minute to begin browning.
Toss the cabbage every minute or so, letting it rest in between stirs.
The cabbage will begin to reduce in volume as it cooks and wilts.
The cabbage should begin to brown around the edges after about 10 minutes.
Toss in the caraway seeds, salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
Serve the fried cabbage warm.
Make Ahead Tips
I think the fried cabbage is best the night you've cooked it but you can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat it in the microwave or in the skillet with just a touch of butter over medium heat.
Definitely do not try to freeze the cabbage, it has too high of a water content and will lose its texture when thawing and reheating.
If you want to save time with your dinner prep, you can shred the cabbage and keep it in an airtight storage bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Traditionally, cabbage is a classic Irish recipe served as part of a St. Patrick's Day dinner but it is delicious with many easy dinner recipes all year long.
I like to serve it with hearty pork dishes like seasoned Smithfield pork tenderloin or my roasted pork loin for a holiday meal.
It goes well with something simple like roasted chicken but also is delicious with a rich German sauerbraten. You'll find all kinds of ways to use this easy side dish!
How to Use Leftover Cabbage
If you're only frying half of the cabbage head and want to use the rest of it up, consider making a batch of my sweet and sour cabbage soup or stirring into the filling of my Irish beef hand pies.
Honestly, you could even use leftover fried cabbage in both of these recipes, too!
📖 Recipe
Fried Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 head fresh cabbage
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 - 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the outer leaves away from the head of fresh cabbage and discard. Slice the head of cabbage in half and remove the core. Shred the remaining cabbage thinly.
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage and stir to coat in the butter.
- Saute the cabbage until it has cooked down and is beginning to brown on the edges, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to toss the cabbage and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Add the caraway seeds and salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
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Could this be made ahead of time and then reheat?
Easy and tasty