Butter Braised Cabbage

Butter Braised Cabbage, is a simple Eastern European comfort food. It's easy to shred cabbage, toss in butter, resulting in a tender cabbage side dish. A hearty, economical, vegetarian recipe, with lots of flavor.

Sometimes I think cabbage gets an undeserved bad reputation, this is a great way to introduce it to your family. Braised Cabbage (Тушеная капуста) is a healthy side with lots of Vitamin K and Vitamin C.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Easy to prepare - no special skills required, all you need is a knife, cutting board and a frying pan
• Economical - a head of cabbage is cheap and can feed a lot of people, with leftovers
• Easy Ingredients- you have everything you need for this recipe in your pantry

What is Braised Cabbage?

Braised Cabbage is a side dish that's popular in Eastern Europe, and across the world. It's prepared many different ways across cultures. Shredded cabbage is fried, (sometimes with vegetables) then braised until cooked. Sometimes spices, sugar or vinegars are added. A versatile recipe popular across cultures.

Ingredients You'll Need

• small shredded cabbage (if using large cabbage, just cut in half and keep for another recipe)
• grated carrot
• 2 medium onions
• butter
• Ketchup
• salt and pepper

How to Make Braised Cabbaged

This is a vegetarian braised cabbage recipe. Some recipes add bacon or pork to the cabbage for a meatier side. You won't need to add to much water when braising. Lots of water is only necessary if the cabbage isn't fresh. Old cabbage (meaning picked and stored for a long time before use) won't release enough water.

1. Prepare the cabbage - Slice into quarters then shred into thin strips
2. Cut vegetables - Dice the onions and grate the carrot
3. Sautée - melt butter in onions and carrots fry until caramelized
4. Add - mix in shredded cabbage, add more butter, a bit of water, cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes
5. Mix - stir through 1-2 tablespoons of Ketchup, season and serve

What to Serve with Braised Cabbage

This Braised Cabbage recipe is usually made as a side dish. Perfect to enjoy alongside steak, roast lamb, chicken or pork. We all need more vegetables in our diet. This recipe can also be used as a filling for an easy Puff Pastry Cabbage Pie or alongside Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato.

There are so many ways to eat cabbage. It's not only a fall and winter recipe, but can be enjoyed year round. Like I said before, everyone needs more cabbage in their life!

Recipe Tips and FAQs

Be generous with the butter, I love the flavor that butter adds to this braised cabbage recipe. Lots of butter and a bit of Ketchup are the secrets to this recipe. Here are more flavor variation tips on how to flavor braised cabbage.

• Flavor with Oil - sauté in bacon grease, drippings or use infused oil
• Add Aromatics - fry bacon or sausage with the onions for flavor
• Deepen Flavor - add ½ teaspoon of tomato paste to the sautéed onions
• Add Tang - drizzle with Balsamic Glaze for extra depth
• Herbs - garnish with fresh herbs like dill or basil for a flavor boost
• Fusion - for an Asian twist, add garlic and soy sauce
• Beer - decrease the butter content and substitute water with a cup of beer for a different taste

Red Cabbage or Green Cabbage

This particular sautéed cabbage recipe is usually made with green cabbage, or a Savoy cabbage. However, you can usually interchangeably use red or green cabbage in most recipes. Not to be confused with German braised red cabbage recipe.

Can You Make in Advance?

Absolutely! Prepare this dish a day ahead and simply reheat as your side dish with your dinner. Also easy to re-heat for leftovers to enjoy later in the week.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge - place in air tight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
• Freezer - not recommended but possible. When cabbage is defrosted, it becomes mushy and not as appetizing. Best enjoyed freshly made.
• Reheating - place cabbage in frying pan and reheat on medium until heated through. Alternatively heat in microwave for 1 minute, and then in 30 minute increments until warmed through.

Cabbage Recipes You'll Love

• Georgian Pickled Cabbage with Beets
• Quick Pickled Cabbage
• Shchi Cabbage Soup
• Golubtsi - Cabbage Rolls
• Instant Pot Cabbage Soup
• Borscht Beet Soup
• Asian Coleslaw
• Cabbage Piroshki

There are so many ways to eat cabbage. Everyone needs more cabbage in their life! Even if you don't love cabbage, let this uncomplicated recipe change your mind. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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