By which an outdated ingredient learns new methods: Cabbage Stir Fry. Thinly sliced cabbage sautéed with floor hen (or with beef) and carrots in a lightweight and flavorful Chinese language-inspired stir fry sauce, this fast, wholesome dinner could have you rethinking the chances of our good friend, Mr. C.

Though cabbage is a typical ingredient in Asian principal dishes (each vegetarian and meat-based), the concept of utilizing cabbage to make a wholesome stir fry didn’t happen to me till not too long ago.

I normally consider cabbage as an “on-the-side” scenario.

Sautéed Cabbage. Cabbage Steaks. Asian Cabbage Salad. All are tasty, however none are a standard principal occasion.

Cabbage’s lengthy shelf life (it could final a number of weeks within the fridge) and budget-friendly price ticket have made it a well-liked ingredient in our residence as of late, so I made a decision to see what extra I might do with it.

And since “what extra I might do with it” most frequently materializes as “ME HUNGRY, MUST EAT NOW!” that “extra” adopted the straightforward dinner path of least resistance: stir fry.

A Scrumptious Solution to Cook dinner Cabbage

If you happen to’ve discovered cabbage suspect up till this level, cabbage stir fry will make a believer out of you.

• Whereas uncooked cabbage might be bitter, when sautéed as it’s on this stir fry recipe, it turns into caramelized, flippantly candy, and tender. You’ll hardly acknowledge it.
• Low carb lovers particularly will rejoice. Twirled on a fork, the skinny strands of cabbage jogged my memory of noodles.

In actual fact, by my second serving, I skipped the rice I’d deliberate to serve with the stir fry completely. The stir fry cabbage is completely satisfying by itself.

A Particular Ingredient to Elevate Your Cabbage Stir Fry

Our kitchen isn’t any stranger to clean-out-the-fridge stir fry conditions—Teriyaki Rooster Stir Fry, Tofu Stir Fry, and Straightforward Rooster Stir Fry with Greens and Mandarin Oranges are however three of many.

What makes this recipe particular (apart from its namesake addition of cabbage) is a brand new spice I’ve by no means utilized in a stir fry earlier than however that units it aside: floor cloves.

Now, it’d sound like I simply opened my spice cupboard, closed my eyes, and grabbed the primary container inside attain, however there’s a way to my insanity.

• Cloves are a key ingredient in Chinese language 5 spice powder.
• Since Chinese language 5 spice is a lesser-stocked ingredient in lots of U.S. houses, I needed to see if I might create a stir fry with its refined, heat impact, with out asking you to buy a brand new spice you would possibly solely use a few times a 12 months.

If you happen to do personal Chinese language 5 spice powder, by all means be happy to make use of it right here. If you happen to had been searching for an excuse to purchase it, this cabbage stir fry is an effective one. (Use about 1 teaspoon and omit the cloves).

And if neither of the above applies to you, use floor cloves. You’ll be happy with the outcomes.

Two Asian pantry staple elements I do insist you purchase are low sodium soy sauce (or gluten free tamari or coconut aminos for our Paleo mates) and rice vinegar.

These two, together with contemporary garlic and ginger, will open you to only about each one of many wholesome stir fry recipes you’ll find right here.

How you can Make Cabbage Stir Fry

This recipe requires primary inexperienced cabbage, which is cheap and broadly accessible. It appears like a big orb and has huge, pale inexperienced leaves.

• This recipe would additionally work with purple cabbage (no modifications to the recipe wanted).
• If you’re searching for one thing to do with Chinese language cabbage (additionally known as Napa cabbage) you should use it to make stir fry. Not that since it’s extra tender, it’s going to prepare dinner extra rapidly.

The Substances

• Floor Rooster. I selected to make use of floor hen on this recipe, because it’s lean and versatile. Along with hen, beef and pork go effectively cabbage, so be happy to swap out the bottom hen for a lean model of considered one of these or for floor turkey.
• Cabbage. The surprising stir fry star! As soon as cooked, the cabbage is delightfully tender and coated within the wealthy flavors of the sauce and spices. Cabbage additionally brings oodles of Vitamin-C and potassium to the dish (learn extra about cabbage right here).
• Carrots. A simple and wholesome approach to convey colour to the stir fry. Carrots are wealthy in Vitamin-A and fiber (see extra well being advantages of carrots right here).
• Floor Cloves. My sneaky spice addition that provides heat to the dish.
• Garlic + Ginger. Necessities for the most effective stir fry taste.
• Crimson Pepper Flakes. For a pinch of spice. If you happen to favor much less spice in your stir fry, you possibly can scale it again.
• Stir Fry Sauce. Soy sauce, maple syrup, and rice vinegar coat each ingredient in a wealthy mix of umami/candy flavors. It’s going to hold you coming again for extra (and extra!).
• Inexperienced Onions + Cilantro. For a final touch of freshness.

The Instructions 

1. Add the garlic, ginger, and spices to at least one bowl, and add the stir fry sauce elements to a different.
2. Lower the cabbage (take a look at the part beneath for recommendations on how one can reduce cabbage for stir fries).
   
3. Brown the hen, stirring in a part of the soy sauce.
   
4. Saute the cabbage and carrots.
   
5. Pour within the sauce elements, cowl, and prepare dinner till the cabbage is wilted.
   
6. Add the inexperienced onion, cilantro, and hen. ENJOY!

How you can Lower Cabbage for Stir Fry

To ensure that the cabbage is tender and caramelizes in your stir fry, the secret is to slice it thinly.

1. Slice off the stem finish of the cabbage head so that you’ve a sturdy base.
2. Lower the cabbage in half ranging from the highest and dealing in direction of the underside, reduce finish.
3. Lay the reduce aspect down on the slicing board in order that its flat floor is touching the board.
4. Lower each bit in half once more.
   
5. Flip every ensuing quarter piece crosswise, and reduce it into skinny strips (about 1/8-inch thick). The strips are prepared for use within the stir fry!

Cabbage Stir Fry Storage Suggestions

• To Retailer. Cabbage stir fry might be saved in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as Four days.
• To Reheat. Gently rewarm stir fry in a big skillet or wok on the stovetop over medium-low warmth. Add a splash of rice vinegar to perk the cabbage again up.
• To Freeze. Leftovers might be frozen in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as three months. The cabbage texture might change a bit, however the flavors will nonetheless be tasty.

What to Serve with Cabbage Stir Fry

Whereas this recipe is scrumptious served by itself, listed below are a couple of concepts of what you would serve with it:

• Rice. A aspect of brown, white, or cauliflower rice could be scrumptious with this stir fry.
• Noodles. Strive it with brown rice noodles for a tasty, filling meal.
• Veggies. Take your vegetable servings up a notch with a aspect of Roasted Frozen Broccoli.

Extra Wholesome Stir Fry Recipes

Beneficial Instruments to Make Cabbage Stir Fry

This tremendous tasty stir fry was such successful, I’m questioning what different methods I must be cooking with cabbage. If in case you have any favourite methods to make use of it along with stir fry, I’d love to listen to about them beneath.

And in the event you do this cabbage stir fry with hen (or another protein), please depart a remark beneath to let me know the way it turned out for you! Your feedback and scores imply a lot to me and are useful to others too.