FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Cabbage Stir Fry
• Recipe Tips
• Storage Instructions
• More Easy Stir Fry Recipes
• Cabbage Stir Fry (15 Minutes!) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Ever have those tired days when you don’t feel like cooking? It may come as a surprise coming from a food blogger, but I do, too! That’s when this cabbage stir fry recipe comes to the rescue. It’s a classic, easy-to-make dish bursting with savory flavors, juicy chicken, and vibrant veggies. This delicious, nutritious, and easy dinner is a lifesaver on those hectic evenings!

Why You’ll Love My Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe

• Sweet and savory combo – With the perfect mix of savory spices and a dash of honey, I created an Asian-inspired mouthwatering dish that combines the best of both.
• Tender cabbage, juicy chicken – I love the texture of a good stir fry… it’s one of the first things I learned to cook! This one has the perfect combo of juicy chicken and tender, caramelized cabbage and veggies.
• Simple ingredients – With just 10 common ingredients (plus salt and pepper), you can whip up a delicious stir fry in no time. Plus, it’s a complete meal more filling than plain sauteed cabbage .
• Easy one pan meal – This dish needs very little prep time and takes only 15 minutes to cook! It’s just as easy as my regular chicken stir fry . If you need something more filling, add a side of rice and you’re done.
• Healthy, nutritious, and family-friendly – We’ve got a great balance of satisfying protein and fiber, plus it’s gluten-free. Even my kids have come to like it!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for stir fried cabbage, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Cabbage Stir Fry:

• Cabbage – Obviously the star of a cabbage stir fry! You’ll need about 8-10 cups of chopped or shredded cabbage, which is about one medium head. You can also take a shortcut and use packaged coleslaw mix, like I do for my egg roll in a bowl recipe .
• Chicken – I add boneless skinless chicken breast to my stir fry cabbage recipe to make it a one-pan meal. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced pork, or even ground turkey instead, or just skip the protein to serve the cabbage as a side dish.
• Other Veggies – You’ll need onion, bell pepper (I prefer a red bell pepper), and carrots. Feel free to throw in other veggies you like, such as broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, or baby corn. Just make sure you cut them up into similarly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Olive Oil – This is the oil I use most often, but sometimes I make this with avocado oil.
• Garlic – I recommend fresh garlic for the best flavor, but a tablespoon of jarred minced garlic works in a pinch.
• Fresh Ginger – Again, fresh minced ginger tastes best, but you could use 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger instead.
• Coconut Aminos – This is my go-to soy sauce substitute . Low sodium soy sauce or tamari also work if one of those fits your lifestyle.
• Honey – I’ve been making this cabbage stir fry recipe for years and never added honey, but recently I tried it and it was even better! It brings out the sweetness in the cabbage even more. I’ve listed this as an optional ingredient now, so you decide. Regular honey works, but I like to use my natural sugar free honey instead.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

VARIATION: Add heat or tang!

If you’re looking for a spicy kick, consider adding Sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. For a tangier taste, add a splash of rice vinegar.

Optional Garnishes:

• Toasted Sesame Oil – Adds a rich, nutty flavor that perfectly enhances the dish. This oil is not heat-safe, so you’ll only want to add it at the end. Don’t stir fry with it!
• Green Onions – Adds a fresh, mild crunch and a pop of color.
• Sesame Seeds – Sprinkling sesame seeds on top of the chicken cabbage stir fry gives it a nice crunch and adds a tasty nutty flavor.

How To Make Cabbage Stir Fry

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season the chicken. Pat the chicken pieces dry. In a large bowl, season them evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
2. Cook the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet , braiser pan , or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear, stirring occasionally, until just golden brown and cooked through. Then, transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.

1. Saute the garlic and ginger. Reduce the heat to medium, add more olive oil to the pan, and then sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant.
2. Saute the veggies. Add the onions and bell peppers. Cook until the onions are translucent and starting to brown, the peppers are soft.

1. Add the cabbage, carrots, and sauce. If using the optional honey, whisk together the coconut aminos and honey in a small bowl first. Increase the heat and add the cabbage, carrots, and honey aminos mixture (or just the coconut aminos if not using honey). Season with ground ginger (if you didn’t use fresh in step above), salt, and pepper. Stir fry cabbage until it’s tender and liquid reduces.

1. Combine and garnish. Return the chicken to the pan and heat through if needed. Remove from heat. Stir in toasted sesame oil. Garnish your cabbage stir fry with green onions and sesame seeds if you like!

Recipe Tips

• Prep your ingredients ahead of time. Before you start cooking, make sure to prep all your ingredients ahead of time. Chop your cabbage, dice your chicken, and have your sauce ready to go. This way, you can breeze through the cooking process without risking overcooking. It moves fast!
• Use a pan with tall sides. Fresh cabbage takes up a lot of space before it cooks down, so a regular skillet will leave you with a mess on your stovetop. I love my enameled cast iron braiser pan for this (shown above) — it’s large, heats up well, and looks beautiful going right to the table. You can also use a Dutch oven or a wok.
• Make sure your pan is hot before adding the chicken. This will give you that perfect sear. To find out if it’s hot enough, sprinkle water onto the pan. If it sizzles and evaporates quickly, it’s ready!

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3-4 days. Sometimes I toss them in a pot with broth and a can of tomatoes for a “lazy” cabbage soup .
• Meal prep: You can chop the vegetables and chicken, and mix the sauce ingredients in advance, storing them separately in the fridge until ready to stir fry.
• Reheat: Gently warm chicken and cabbage stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through, stirring occasionally. I also like to eat leftovers for lunch, and the microwave works just fine in a rush.
• Freeze: Store in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

More Easy Stir Fry Recipes

If you loved this cabbage stir fry recipe, check out these easy stir fries for quick meals:

Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Chicken And Broccoli

Vegetable Stir Fry

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Cabbage Stir Fry:

• 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces) ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt (divided) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper (divided) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil (divided) ▢
• 6 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 2 tbsp Fresh ginger (minced; or 1/2 tsp ground ginger – see instructions) ▢
• 1/2 large Onion (diced) ▢
• 1 large Bell pepper (diced) ▢
• 1 medium head Cabbage (chopped or coarsely shredded; ~8-10 cups) ▢
• 2 medium Carrots (shredded) ▢
• 1/4 cup Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce) ▢
• 2 tbsp Honey (or natural sugar-free honey ; optional) ▢

Optional Garnishes:

• 2 tsp Toasted sesame oil ▢
• 1/4 cup Green onions (sliced) ▢
• 1 tbsp Sesame seeds (optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a large bowl or on a cutting board, season them evenly with 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet with tall sides, a Dutch oven , or a wok , over medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Sear for 4-6 minutes , stirring occasionally but not constantly (to allow browning), until the chicken is just golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the garlic and ginger (if using fresh), and saute for 1-2 minutes , until fragrant.
4. Add the onions and bell peppers. Cook for 5-7 minutes , until the onions are translucent and starting to brown, and the peppers are soft.
5. If using the optional honey, whisk together the coconut aminos and honey in a small bowl.
6. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the shredded cabbage, carrots, and coconut aminos mixture (or only coconut aminos if not using honey). Season with ground ginger (only if you didn’t use fresh in step 3 above), and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes , until the cabbage is tender and any excess liquid simmers away. (You can increase heat to high if needed to facilitate this.)
7. Add the chicken back to the pan. If it’s not warm enough, cook for 1-2 minutes until warm.
8. Remove from heat. Stir in the toasted sesame oil, if using. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups

Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes , Healthy Ebook Bundle , and Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Cabbage Stir Fry (15 Minutes!)

This 15-minute cabbage stir fry recipe with chicken makes a healthy, quick and easy dinner. It’s so flavorful, yet uses simple ingredients.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/cabbage-stir-fry/

Ingredients

Cabbage Stir Fry:

• 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 tsp Sea salt (divided)
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper (divided)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil (divided)
• 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp Fresh ginger (minced; or 1/2 tsp ground ginger - see instructions)
• 1/2 large Onion (diced)
• 1 large Bell pepper (diced)
• 1 medium head Cabbage (chopped or coarsely shredded; ~8-10 cups)
• 2 medium Carrots (shredded)
• 1/4 cup Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp Honey (or natural sugar-free honey ; optional)

Optional Garnishes:

• 2 tsp Toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup Green onions (sliced)
• 1 tbsp Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a large bowl or on a cutting board, season them evenly with 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet with tall sides, a Dutch oven , or a wok , over medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Sear for 4-6 minutes , stirring occasionally but not constantly (to allow browning), until the chicken is just golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the garlic and ginger (if using fresh), and saute for 1-2 minutes , until fragrant.
4. Add the onions and bell peppers. Cook for 5-7 minutes , until the onions are translucent and starting to brown, and the peppers are soft.
5. If using the optional honey, whisk together the coconut aminos and honey in a small bowl.
6. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the shredded cabbage, carrots, and coconut aminos mixture (or only coconut aminos if not using honey). Season with ground ginger (only if you didn’t use fresh in step 3 above), and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes , until the cabbage is tender and any excess liquid simmers away. (You can increase heat to high if needed to facilitate this.)
7. Add the chicken back to the pan. If it’s not warm enough, cook for 1-2 minutes until warm.
8. Remove from heat. Stir in the toasted sesame oil, if using. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups

Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes , Healthy Ebook Bundle , and Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)