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This sautéed cabbage recipe is an incredibly flavorful side dish that’s easy to make with a handful of everyday ingredients. It’s golden, buttery, and irresistible!

You may also like my German Potato Salad or Simple Bratwurst Soup next.

a bowl of sauteed cabbage

Why you’ll love it

Cabbage is a totally underrated ingredient. It’s inexpensive, really tasty, and a bit of magic happens when it’s sautéed and lightly browned. My favorite seasoning to jazz it up is simply smoked paprika. It brings an extra special quality with very little effort!

This easy pan fried cabbage recipe is buttery and has a hint of garlic along with the irresistibly smoky flavor. It’s a versatile side dish that goes with pretty much any main course, and the fact that it’s so budget friendly is definitely appealing! It’s also low carb.

What you’ll need

  • Cabbage – I use regular green cabbage
  • Onion – lightly browned onion imparts a delicious flavor into this dish. I like sweet (Vidalia) onions.
  • Butter and olive oil – for pan frying
  • Garlic – more savory deliciousness
  • Smoked paprika – a pantry staple that adds so much flavor
ingredients for sauteed cabbage in prep bowls

Helpful tips

  • It’s hard for me to describe just how tasty sautéed cabbage is. You basically just have to try it. Growing up with a Czech mom, I definitely ate my fair share of cabbage when I was little. Oh, and this recipe did pass my mom’s taste test!
  • You can easily control how crisp the cabbage remains in this recipe depending on your personal preferences. I like mine to be slightly softer than tender-crisp, but you can cook it even longer (or less) if you prefer.

How to make sautéed cabbage

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

sauteing onions in a skillet and adding cabbage

Slice the cabbage into thin strips. Sauté the onion in the oil and butter for a few minutes. Add the cabbage to the skillet, and cook, tossing occasionally, until tender-crisp.

sauteed cabbage in a skillet before and after pan frying

Add in the paprika and garlic, and cook for a few more minutes until fragrant and the cabbage is nicely browned and softened. Season generously with salt & pepper.

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

  • Use a garlic press to mince the garlic with ease. No peeling of the cloves beforehand! Store the rest in a cute garlic keeper for freshness.
  • Here is the skillet pictured. Cooking with cast iron is my fave.
  • Cut the cabbage with a sharp, good-quality chef knife.

Substitutions and variations

What to serve with sauteed cabbage

Leftovers and storage

  • Store any leftover cabbage in the fridge for 3-4 days in a covered container.
  • Reheat over a low heat until warmed through.
  • I don’t really recommend freezing this one because the cabbage will soften up.
a serving spoon with sauteed cabbage

If you made this easy sauteed cabbage, please leave a star rating and review below! Reader feedback is my favorite. You can also tag me on Instagram with any S&L creations.

a bowl of sauteed cabbage
4.96 from 24 votes

Simple Sautéed Cabbage

This sautéed cabbage recipe is an incredibly flavorful side dish that's easy to make with a handful of everyday ingredients. It's golden, buttery, and irresistible!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 medium head green cabbage cored & sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Prep the cabbage and chop your onion. I just slice the cabbage thin (cut out the core) and chop the onion like usual.
  • Add the butter and oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3 minutes.
  • Add the cabbage to the pan and toss/stir it as best as you can (use 2 spoons or tongs to make it easier). Don't worry, as it cooks the cabbage goes down and it becomes more manageable. Stir/toss it often and let it cook until it's just about as soft as you want it (about 10-15 minutes).
  • Add in the paprika and garlic. Cook it for a couple more minutes. If the cabbage starts to brown too quickly, turn the heat down. Some browning is good – it adds extra flavor.
  • Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Serves 4-6 as a side dish. 
  • I use a ~2 lb. cabbage.
  • I typically cook with sea salt, but I love to swap seasoning salt or Tony’s here sometimes.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 62mg, Potassium: 292mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 429IU, Vitamin C: 57mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

Leave a star rating and comment below!

This recipe was originally published on September 19, 2019. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!


Hi! I’m Natasha.

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4.96 from 24 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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66 Comments

  1. Gayle says:

    5 stars
    Loved this recipe. I literally typed in an easy recipe with chicken and cabbage because that all I had on hand. Easy and so delicious! I’m a big cook and baker and sometimes you don’t want to fuss but you still want the taste. It delivered, thank you!!!! I’m going to skim through the rest of your recipes. Ty.

    1. Natasha says:

      Yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gayle!! 😀 Let me know what else you try.

  2. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    I love to add cheddar/jalapeno chicken brat to this to make a complete healthy meal! One of my favorite go to meals. Super healthy, quick, and delicious. Thanks for posting so many wonderful recipes!

    1. Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says:

      It’s our pleasure, Cindy! Thrilled you liked this one and others. Thank you for your reviews! 🙂

  3. Joanne says:

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner with grilled pork chops and sautéed green beans. It was delicious! I will be making this again.

    1. Natasha says:

      Excellent!

  4. Shellie says:

    I grew up eating this, but my Grandma always fried it in bacon grease. It’s delicioius!!!!!

    1. Natasha says:

      I love frying stuff in bacon grease!!

  5. Nancy says:

    5 stars
    Fantastic! Our new favorite cabbage dish. The smoked paprika really adds flavor. Thanks

    1. Natasha says:

      You’re very welcome, Nancy!

  6. Paula Slack says:

    4 stars
    What an easy recipe. I love cabbage and always looking for recipes that don’t require a lot of effort. I added a red pepper cut into strips. Really tasty and quick.

    1. Natasha says:

      So glad you enjoyed it, Paula!

  7. Bruce says:

    5 stars
    Very good and so much better than bacon with all the drippings . Just the right amount of butter. Thank ya mam ! 😊

    1. Natasha says:

      You’re very welcome, Bruce! 😀

  8. Lana says:

    5 stars
    I share my recipe. Combine cabbage, onions, carrots, salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil or any vegetable oil that you use. Quantity – all to your taste. Stir and let stand for 20 minutes. Then fry in a preheated skillet for 15-20 minutes. Very simple and very tasty.

  9. Ruth says:

    Recipe needs sugar and vinegar.

  10. Brenda Hilley says:

    FINALLY!! It’s so nice to find something that’s very close to the “southern fried cabbage” I grew up loving! Thank you!

    1. Natasha says:

      Excellent! You’re very welcome!