Braised Savoy Cabbage

⭐️ Why You Should Try It

• Caramelized and naturally sweet. These savoy cabbage wedges are browned to perfection in olive oil, seasoned with plenty of garlic, and topped with a dollop of butter for a restaurant-quality finish. They are tender, slightly sweet, and so delicious!
• One pan and simple ingredients. The beauty of this plant-based side dish lies in its simplicity. To prepare it, you will need only 6 easy-to-find ingredients, one pan, and 25 minutes.
• Versatile. You can serve this braised cabbage as a side dish alongside your preferred plant-based protein, as part of a Buddha bowl, or incorporate it in wraps and sandwiches!

📘 What is Braised Cabbage

Braised cabbage consists of white, green, or savoy cabbage cooked by the technique of braising. Braising is a French cooking method that involves browning food in oil or butter and then simmering it in some liquid.

The caramelization that happens during braising, called Maillard reaction, enhances the flavors by bringing nuttiness and a natural sweetness.

🥬 Ingredient Notes

Here is what you will need:

• Savoy cabbage – Use fresh savoy cabbage. To pick fresh cabbage, look for a heavy head and crisp leaves. The leaves should be bright green with no yellow spots.
• Olive oil – To infuse the cabbage with a fruity flavor and help it caramelize. Use quality olive oil for optimal flavor.
• Garlic – Use fresh garlic. Do not replace it with dried garlic.
• Soy sauce – For umami and saltiness. If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, feel free to use coconut aminos.
• Ground black pepper – For an earthy, peppery flavor.
• Butter – Use store-bought or homemade vegan butter.

🥣 How to Make It

1. Slice the cabbage. Before starting, be aware that this recipe uses a quarter of a head of medium savoy cabbage (using more wouldn’t fit in most skillets). Start by slicing the quarter in half lengthwise.

2. Rinse it and pat it dry. Rinse the cabbage wedges under cold water to remove any possible dirt. Drain them well and pat them dry with paper kitchen towels.

3. Sauté until browned. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the cabbage wedges and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Flip and sauté the other side. Once one side is golden brown, flip the wedges and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until the other side is golden brown as well.
5. Cover and cook until tender. Next, add 1/2 cup of water to the skillet and cover with a lid. Steam the cabbage for about 15 minutes or until tender. You can check the doneness by trying to pierce the cabbage with a thin knife.

6. Sauté the garlic. Once the cabbage wedges are tender, push them back to a side of the pan. Add the vegan butter and wait until it melts. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes. Next, stir to toss the cabbage wedges with the sautéed garlic.
7. Season with soy sauce. Add the soy sauce, ground black pepper, and 1/4 cup of water to the pan. Shake to toss the cabbage with the sauce.
8. Sauté for a few more minutes. Cook uncovered for another 3-4 minutes, flipping the wedges once halfway through cooking to season the cabbage evenly.
9. Enjoy! The cabbage is now ready. You can taste it and adjust the seasoning before serving.

🪴 Variations

This braised cabbage recipe is versatile so feel free to adapt it to your taste. Here are some ideas on how you can tweak the recipe:

• Omit the soy sauce: If you don’t like soy sauce, you can simply omit it and season the cabbage with salt.
• Add herbs: Either fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, or dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, or bay leaves.
• Make it nutty: Replace the olive oil with toasted sesame oil for a hint of nuttiness.
• Make it creamy: To add richness and creaminess, finish this side dish with cashew cream or plant-based cream.

🍚 What to Serve It With

The best part about this side dish is that it can be incorporated into many dishes. You can serve this braised cabbage:

• As part of a Buddha bowl: with rice, teriyaki tofu, avocado, and sweet potatoes.
• In wraps or sandwiches: with vegan cream cheese, fresh herbs, cucumber, and vegan chicken or sautéed soy curls.
• Alongside your protein of choice: with fried tofu, seitan, or vegan burgers.

We hope you will love this braised cabbage! It’s savory, hearty, garlicky, and almost meaty thanks to the braising process. If you have never tried cooking savoy cabbage before, we highly recommend this recipe as it’s a simple and great way to introduce yourself to it!

🍆 More Delicious Side Dishes

Easy Glazed Carrots (Carrots Vichy)

Eggplant Stew

Vegan Potato Salad (French-Inspired!)

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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