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.

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updated May 1, 2019

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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? ›

According to the site, you only need to soak your shredded greens in a cold water bath to keep their taste delightfully crispy and light. Taste of Home recommends that after cutting your cabbage you allow it to soak in your refrigerator up until the minute you're prepared to serve it.

How to get 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.

What takes the gas out of cabbage? ›

To reduce the likelihood of experiencing gas after eating cabbage, consider cooking it thoroughly. This can help break down the fibers and make it easier to digest. Additionally, try adding caraway seeds or fennel seeds to your cabbage dishes, as these spices are known to help reduce gas.

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›

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.

Will adding vinegar to cabbage during cooking make it turn blue? ›

As long as they are acidic they stay red, but when they become non-acidic they turn blue. When you sauté red cabbage, the acids evaporate off and it can turn blue. All you have to do is add lemon juice or vinegar to bring back the bright red color.

Can you overcook cabbage? ›

Yes, cabbage sizzles in stir-fries; simmers in soups, stews, and braises; adds healthy crunch to salads; and does wonders for casseroles, gratins, and meat pies — cabbage does it all, and for a bargain price. The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it. Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly.

Why do I smell boiled cabbage? ›

And when methionine isn't metabolized properly in your body, it can result in large amounts of dimethylsulfide, which produces a smell similar to boiled cabbage. Sometimes the condition comes about just because you've eaten too much methionine, which is in protein-rich foods, like meat and cheese.

How do you soften cabbage leaves without boiling them? ›

I saw a tip given by Jacques Pepin: Core the cabbage and then freeze it overnight. Let it thaw out and the leaves will be wilted and easy to peel off. The whole point of blanching the leaves is to make them pliable for rolling, and freezing it does the same trick. Toss the cabbage in a pot of boiling water.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating cabbage? ›

“Additionally, cruciferous vegetables—like cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts—contain raffinose, an indigestible sugar. As it's fermented by bacteria in the gut, gas is produced, which is why you may experience flatulence and discomfort after eating these foods.

What are the side effects of eating cabbage? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. It's best to slowly introduce these vegetables into your diet and gradually increase your intake. Individuals with sensitive digestive tracts might want to limit cabbage or talk to your doctor.

Can cabbage lower blood pressure? ›

Lowers your blood pressure

One cup of red cabbage can deliver a healthy amount of potassium — as much as 6% of your recommended daily value. This could help lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk for heart disease.

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.

What can you put on cabbage to stop bugs from eating it? ›

Growing aromatic plants amongst the cabbage-type plants — like hyssop, thyme, wormwood, celery, dill, sage and onions — will all help to confuse these insects. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) or Dipel, if you spray each week, can also control these insects.

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