Easy Caramelized Cabbage and Onions Recipe

This caramelized cabbage with onions and garlic is an easy recipe and a healthy side dish you can serve with any meal. The sweet and savory flavor of the sauteed cabbage makes this recipe a great addition to any dinner. 

Would you ever imagine that a simple, sautéed cabbage recipe could become your favorite side dish? Well, I’m here to assure you that it can!

It may seem like a bit of a stretch; after all, we are talking about cabbage. However, I am convinced that you will be pleasantly surprised if you try this recipe.

Caramelizing onions and cabbage together create a sweet, savory flavor that perfectly complements any meal.

If you like spicy, adding heat, like chili flakes, or a hot pepper spread, brings this caramelized cabbage side to another level! 

Jump to:

• What is caramelization
• More reasons to love this easy caramelized cabbage recipe
• Ingredients
• Let’s prep our recipe
• Step-by-step instructions 
• Tips
• What to serve with fried cabbage
• More cast iron recipes
• Recipe origins
• Recipe

What is caramelization

Caramelization is a chemical process where sugar molecules in food break down and become golden brown. This is what gives food a deep, sweet, caramel flavor. [source]

By heating vegetables like cabbage and onions, the natural sugars in the vegetables break down, creating a complex and delicious flavor.

The same is true in this easy carrots recipe, slow-roasted tomatoes, or skillet potatoes recipe. 

Have you ever had grilled peaches? What about a slice of grilled watermelon? Such a different taste experience when their natural sugars heat up and caramelize. 

To know more about caramelization, read this post on the best caramelized onions. 

More reasons to love this easy caramelized cabbage recipe

• This recipe is simple and easy to make; you only need one pan.
• It is a budget-friendly recipe.
• You can control the final texture of the cooked cabbage—the longer it cooks, the more caramelization occurs.
• This dish can be a side dish, sandwich filling, or base for any other recipe.
• You can season it with different herbs and spices based on your preferences and availability.

Ingredients

This dish is great because it has easy-to-find, budget-friendly, simple ingredients. Here’s what you need:

Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is great for this dish. It imparts a rich, fruity flavor that perfectly complements the cabbage and the onions.

Cabbage: Any cabbage will work for this recipe. However, green cabbage is the classic choice.

Onion: Yellow is typically used when making this dish; white onions can also work.

In addition to these fresh ingredients, you need a couple of garlic cloves, seasonings like kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, or chili flakes (optional) to taste.

A freshly squeezed lemon juice drizzle provides a wonderful fresh flavor. Chopped Italian parsley is another great choice. Both are optional.

Let’s prep our recipe

Preparing this side dish is simple, but we must begin by slicing our vegetables.

Prep the cabbage: You will need approximately 2 pounds of cabbage, approximately one small or half of a large head.

Start by removing any outer leaves that are discolored and wilted. Next, cut off a thin slice from the root. This provides a flat surface for the cabbage to sit on the cutting board. Discard in your compost bin. 

Using a sharp knife, slice the cabbage in half, through the stem end, from top to bottom. Then, cut each half again in half or quarters if large. Remove the core. Lay each section down on its flat side and slice a ¼-inch thick. Set aside.

Prep the onion: Peel one yellow onion and cut it in half through the root. Lay it cut side down, trim off the root end and slice it a ¼ inch thick. Set it aside. 

Prep the garlic: Remove the papery outer skin of two garlic cloves and cut off the tips. Coarsely chop the garlic. Feel free to use more (or less) according to your preference. Set aside. 

Step-by-step instructions 

Heat a 10-12 inch large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to the pan.

Once the oil is shimmering, add the sliced onions and toss until properly coated. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, frequently stirring until beginning to soften.

Add the chopped garlic. Saute for an additional minute while stirring. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional).

Add the cabbage and stir together with the onions and garlic. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, occasionally stirring until the cabbage is tender, lightly browned, and caramelized. Adjust the level of heat if necessary.

Taste and, if necessary, adjust seasonings.  Drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) and serve. 

Tips

• Use high-quality, fresh ingredients. 
• Cut your room-temperature onions and cabbage into thin, even strips, about ¼ inch thick,  for them to cook evenly. This will also help to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
• Although there may appear to be a lot of cabbage in the pan, it will cook down significantly.
• Sauté the cabbage and onions over medium-high heat to allow for proper caramelization.
• Stir the cabbage mixture around often during cooking so they don’t burn or stick to the bottom of the cast iron pan.
• Feel free to add seasonings like onion powder, paprika, or fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, or thyme.
• Add some nuts or roasted sesame seeds towards the end of cooking for an extra crunch.
• For a complete meal, add some cooked proteins like chicken or shrimp towards the end. For a vegetarian option,  you can use tofu or legumes.

What to serve with fried cabbage

Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy the versatility of this delicious cabbage stir-fry recipe:

It pairs perfectly with veal scaloppini, grilled chicken or baked cod fish as a side dish, adding flavor to any main meal.

For vegetarians, it can be served as a main course over a bed of cooked greens, like rapini or sauteed Swiss chard creating a hearty and satisfying dish.

For sandwich lovers, it makes a great addition to any filling for a sandwich wrap.

More cast iron recipes

Recipe origins

For years, I’ve relied on nonstick pans in the kitchen, but no matter how mindful my family was about not damaging the surface, they always got scratched.

I had heard so many wonderful things about cast iron pans that I got one.

It took some trial and error before I got used to cooking in it. But eventually, after following countless online recipes and videos on proper seasoning techniques, I started getting a better hang of it!

Now that I’ve been using my pan for a couple of years, I can finally say that food is cooked evenly without sticking. With time, the pan is easier to clean.

This easy cabbage recipe results from experimenting with my cast iron pan and a head of cabbage I had to use in my fridge.

Do you like using a cast iron pan?

Do you enjoy cooking with a cast iron pan? Let me know in the comment below.

Not a fan of cast iron pans? No problem! You can still enjoy this amazing vegetable without it. Use your sheet pan to make this oven-roasted cabbage; your family will love it!

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If you are interested, the cast iron pan I am using is available on amazon. Head on over to my amazon store for all the details.

★★★★★ If you use this procedure to make the best-sauteed cabbage recipe in a cast iron pan, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe