Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

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Cabbage Stir Fry is an Asian-inspired recipe with stir-fried cabbage, red bell pepper, carrots, and green onions in a light and flavorful sauce. It’s a quick and easy, healthy vegan side dish or main meal ready in 30 minutes!

Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (1)

Inspired by a similar recipe from the NY Times, I thought it needed to be added to the recipe collection. I didn’t go too far from the original recipe, only adding red pepper flakes because I love spiciness (feel free to omit this if you’re not a fan of spice).

This is an absolutely quick and delicious meal that I find myself craving! It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect go-to recipe when you need something fast and healthy. Serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles – or simply enjoy as is!

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Table of Contents show

Ingredients You’ll Need

In this recipe, cabbage, red pepper, and carrots are stir-fried, tossed with crispy tofu, and served with a grain of choice for healthy vegan stir fry.

Here’s everything you’ll need. Plus, ideas and tips for ingredient substitutions.

  • tofu – use firm, extra firm, or high protein (can be optional).
  • ginger – use fresh grated or minced ginger. For ease, we love using this ginger paste found in the refrigerated area of the produce section.
  • garlic – fresh is best, but you can sub with garlic powder if needed.
  • red pepper flakes – feel free to substitute with a bit of sriracha or sambal oelek.
  • cabbage – savoy, green or napa cabbage.
  • red bell pepper
  • carrots
  • green onions
  • tamari – sub with low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos.
  • rice wine vinegar
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How To Make Cabbage Stir Fry

(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)

  • Prep the veggies.
  • Cook up your tofu.
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  • Stir-fry the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for 1 minute.
  • Add the cabbage, red bell pepper, green onions, and stir fry for 2 – 3 minutes.
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  • Add the tamari, rice vinegar, and water, stir fry for 5 minutes, until cabbage softens and wilts.
  • Season with salt (or garlic salt) and more tamari or rice vinegar to taste.
  • Optionally, add the cooked tofu towards the end of cooking and cook until warmed through.

And now you’re ready to serve!

Top Tips

  • Season well. Be sure to season well for the best flavor. If you find it bland at all, add more salt. Even a little pepper would be great!
  • Make it oil-free. Make this oil-free by using 1/4 cup of water when stir-frying the cabbage. If using a non-stick pan for cooking the tofu, you can omit the oil. Alternatively, bake the tofu on a lined baking sheet in a preheated oven set to 400 for 20 – 25 minutes.
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How To Store + Reheat

  • Refrigerator: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days in a covered container
  • Freezer: This cabbage stir fry can be stored in the freezer for 2 – 3 months. To freeze, let cool completely and store in freezer safe containers(affiliate link), leaving 1/2 inch headspace for expansion. You can also freeze larger portions in large ziplock bags (remove as much air as possible before zip-locking). Let thaw before reheating.
  • Reheat: Simply re-warm on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through, adding a little tamari or veg broth for moisture as needed. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave using 30 – 60 second intervals, stirring after each, until warm.

Serving Suggestions

Served as a side or main dish, this savory cabbage stir fry is versatile and pairs well with a variety of other flavors. Here are a few of my favorite options:

  • Toppings: Top with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and fresh cilantro.
  • Grain: Serve with jasmine rice, brown rice, black rice, or this Cilantro Lime Rice or Instant Pot Quinoa.
  • Side: Would be great with a side of Kimchi!
  • Soup:Pair with a small bowl of soup like thisRoasted Garlic Miso Soup,Simple Miso Noodle Soup,orSimple Vegan Pho.
  • Salad:Pair with this freshChineseChopped Salad.
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More Easy Asian Recipes!

  • Vegetable Lo Mein(30-Minutes + Healthy)
  • Vegan Tofu Poke Bowl
  • Black Pepper Tofu
  • Simple Vegan Pho
  • Vegan Kimchi
  • Tempeh Chow Mein
  • See allvegan Asian recipeson TSV!
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If you try this easy cabbage recipe, please let me know!Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

SPICY CABBAGE STIR FRY

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Cabbage stir fry is a quick and easy Asian inspired side dish ready in 30 minutes! Great with crispy tofu and side of quinoa, basmati or jasmine rice for a healthy, vegan main dish.

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4 – 6 1x
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: stir fry
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
  • 12 ounces organic tofu (firm or extra firm), cut into dominoes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 23 large garlic cloves, minced
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 small cabbage (about 1 1/2 lbs.), finely shredded (red, green or both)
  • 1 red bell pepper, julienned
  • 1 carrot or 1 cup baby carrots, cut into matchsticks
  • 4 green onions, sliced (reserve one green onion for garnish)
  • 24 tablespoons tamari ,low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 12 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • salt + pepper, to taste

to serve

  • sesame seeds
  • scallions (green onions), thinly sliced
  • grain of choice (soba or ramen noodles or quinoa, basmati or jasmine rice), optional

Instructions

Crispy tofu: Cut the tofu into dominoes and press between paper towels or dish cloth. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan, add tofu and cook for 5 – 8 minutes on each side, until lightly golden in color. Season with salt and garlic powder (or garlic salt). Transfer tofu to a small plate.

Stir fry: Heat 14 inch wok or large skillet over medium- high heat, add 1 remaining tablespoon of oil, add garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add cabbage, red bell pepper, carrots, green onions, tamari, rice vinegar and water, stir fry for 5 – 7 minutes, or until cabbage wilts and veggies soften. Add the tofu to the cabbage stir fry 2 minutes before done to warm through. Taste for seasoning, adding salt to taste.

Serve cabbage stir fry with cooked grain of choice and garnish with sesame seeds, green onions and/or cilantro.

Serves 4

Notes

Oil-Free: Make this oil free by using 1/4 cup water when stir frying the cabbage. If using a non-stick pan for cooking the tofu, you can omit the oil. Alternatively, bake the tofu on a lined baking sheet in a preheated oven set to 400 for 20 – 25 minutes.

Updated: This recipe was first published in February 2013. It has been updated with new photos and helpful tips in April 2020.

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Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

FAQs

How is Chinese cabbage prepared? ›

Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add the cabbage, salt and sugar and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes or until the cabbage is wilted and slightly charred at the edges. Now add the garlic and stir-fry for another minute. Then add the soy sauce and vinegar.

How long does stir fry cabbage last in the fridge? ›

Cabbage Stir Fry Storage Tips

Cabbage stir fry can be stored in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm stir fry in a large skillet or wok on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of rice vinegar to perk the cabbage back up.

Why is Napa cabbage good for stir frying? ›

Napa Cabbage Stir Fry: Easy, Kid Approved, and a Super Food. Napa Cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage or sui choy in Cantonese, is super easy to prepare, tastes tender, and has an almost sweet, mild flavored that goes well with other foods.

Is Napa cabbage the same as Chinese cabbage? ›

Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) with an oval head of light green leaves. Its common names include Chinese white cabbage, Peking cabbage, or celery cabbage (due to its white stalks). The word “napa” comes from the Japanese word for leaves, but in Japan, it's called hakusai.

Is Chinese cabbage healthier than regular cabbage? ›

Is napa cabbage better for you than regular cabbage? Both are excellent sources of important vitamins and minerals. Regular cabbage contains more calcium, zinc and potassium than napa, but napa cabbage contains higher levels of vitamins A, B3, iron and copper. Napa is also lower in sodium than regular cabbage.

What is the difference between cabbage and Chinese cabbage? ›

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Capitata Group) is a cool-season vegetable that grows best in well-drained sandy loam soils that have high organic content. Chinese cabbage forms dense heads that may be very upright and tall (Michihili types) or round and barrel-shaped (Napa types).

What are the two types of Chinese cabbage? ›

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa, subspecies pekinensis and chinensis) is either of two cultivar groups of leaf vegetables often used in Chinese cuisine: the Pekinensis Group (napa cabbage) and the Chinensis Group (bok choy).

Can I eat 5 day old stir fry? ›

After 3 to 4 days, germs, also called bacteria, may begin to grow in refrigerated leftovers. This growth increases the risk of food poisoning, also called foodborne illness. Bacteria typically don't change the taste, smell or look of food.

Does cabbage go bad in fridge? ›

Try to minimize any bruising of your cabbages. Any kind of cell damage makes the cabbage go by more quickly and degrades the vitamin C content. If cabbage is properly stored, it can last from 3 weeks to up to 2 months in your refrigerator. In optimum root cellar conditions, it can even last longer.

What is Chinese cabbage called? ›

Chinese cabbage is also known as napa, napa cabbage, pe-tsai, wongbok, or chihli. This is a vegetable of major importance in China (over 300 000 ha grown), Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Grown as an annual crop, most cultivars are biennial and produce tight, compact, cylindrical heads.

Which is healthier green cabbage or napa cabbage? ›

Napa and regular cabbage are both low-fat, low-calorie and low-carb, but the nutritious profile of napa cabbage offers higher levels of vitamins C, K and folate than green cabbage. It also delivers higher levels of essential minerals.

Can you eat too much napa cabbage? ›

Consuming cabbage in excess can result in abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and flatulence.

Can you use regular cabbage instead of napa cabbage? ›

While napa cabbage has a milder and sweeter flavor compared to green cabbage, the taste difference may not significantly affect certain dishes. Green cabbage still offers a pleasant taste that can complement various recipes. While it has a slightly stronger flavor, it works well in stir-fries, soups, and slaws.

How do you cut cabbage for Chinese salad? ›

Alternatively you can slice the cabbage in half and remove the “core”. The core will look like a small triangle at the bottom of each half. Use a sharp knife to cut a triangle shape to remove it. Then cut the halves in half again, place flat side down and slice thinly.

How do you cut Chinese cabbage? ›

Halve the cabbage lengthwise from tip to base, then divide each half lengthwise. Make a “v” cut into the base of each quarter to remove the hard, woody core. If you're making something like a lettuce cup or wrap, just halve the cabbage but don't quarter it. You'll still want to make the “v” cut to remove the stem.

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