FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Sauteed Cabbage Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Sauteed Cabbage
• My Recipe Tips
• Flavor Variations
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Ideas
• More Shredded Cabbage Recipes
• Sauteed Cabbage (15-Min Recipe) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Sauteed cabbage is definitely one of my favorite ways to use shredded cabbage. This versatile, flavorful veggie side dish goes with just about anything! I come back to it again and again (and again). Let me show you how to saute cabbage with my simple method, and you’ll have to tell me what you love most about it. The sweet and buttery flavor? The tender, caramelized texture? The quick and easy cooking (just 15 minutes)? Make my sauteed cabbage recipe with me and let me know!

Why You Need My Sauteed Cabbage Recipe

• Sweet, buttery, and tender – Sauteing cabbage turns this unassuming veggie into sweet, caramelized, tender… I can only call it deliciousness . My Eastern European roots can’t get enough of this. But unlike some sauteed cabbage recipes, I add a touch of butter to mine — so good!
• 5 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. And a couple of them are optional. 😉 It doesn’t get any easier than this!
• Healthy side dish – It’s naturally low carb, gluten-free, and one of the easiest ways to add a nutritious vegetable to your dinner.

Ingredients & Substitutions

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

• Cabbage – I prefer sauteed green cabbage, but you can make this recipe with red cabbage, savoy cabbage, or Napa cabbage as well. You could even buy bags of already shredded cabbage to save time (done it, not sorry!), though freshly cut tastes better.
• Olive Oil – I usually go for regular olive oil here, but extra virgin or avocado oil works, too.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic will give you the best flavor, but a teaspoon from a jar works.
• Butter – Optional, but I highly recommend a tablespoon for flavor! Most sauteed cabbage recipes use only oil, or they mix butter with oil (it’s a myth that this lowers the smoke point of butter — it doesn’t!). Instead, in this recipe I add butter toward the end of cooking, so you get the same flavor without burning it. (It’s the same trick I use for sauteed zucchini and sauteed mushrooms .) You can also use ghee (not dairy-free, but lactose removed) or butter flavored coconut oil if you’re sensitive to dairy.
• Balsamic Vinegar – Optional as well, but I love the sweet, tangy flavor. You could also use white balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Sauteed Cabbage

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. Shred cabbage. Cutting the cabbage for sauteing is easy! Just quarter it, remove the stem and core, then slice thinly into shreds. (Check out my visual below.)
2. Saute garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant.

1. Saute cabbage. Add the shredded cabbage to the pan and sauté until it caramelizes.
2. Amp up the flavor. Reduce the heat, and stir in the butter and/or balsamic vinegar (if using). Cook for another minute or two. This infuses the sauteed cabbage with a sweet and buttery flavor!

1. Season and serve. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to your taste before serving.

My Recipe Tips

• Use a food processor for a finer texture. If you like finely shredded cabbage recipes, you can use the shredding attachment of your food processor ( I have this one ). This is also a time-saver!
• Use a pan with tall sides, preferably cast iron. This is a lot of cabbage before it cooks down, and you don’t want it all over your stovetop! And cast iron definitely gets you the best caramelization. I use and love my enameled cast iron braiser , pictured above. It’s large enough to fit all your cabbage, and it heats up exceptionally well (and evenly!) for maximum caramelization. You could also use a Dutch oven.
• Stir with tongs every few minutes, but not constantly. Stirring too often will prevent your sauteed cabbage from caramelizing. On the other hand, if you don’t stir, the bottom parts will burn and the top parts will remain raw or steam. I prefer tongs because it’s easier to keep the shredded cabbage inside the pan — it’ll be pretty full at first!
• Cabbage doesn’t all fit? Add it in batches. You can let some of it cook down and then add more. Just don’t wait too long, or the first batch will get mushy by the end.
• Keep the heat high enough. I usually keep it at medium-high, but sometimes need to turn it down to medium heat. The key is to have it high enough to encourage browning and let any moisture evaporate (otherwise your cabbage will steam instead), but not so high that the cabbage burns.
• Be careful not to overcook. Your goal is to get the cabbage tender and caramelized, but don’t cook it so long that it gets mushy.
• Only add butter at the end. Butter has a low smoke point, so will burn if you use it for sauteing. Instead, I saute in olive oil, then add butter at the end to give this dish a buttery flavor.
• Season at the end, too. For many recipes it’s better to season before or during cooking, but for sauteed cabbage I prefer to add the salt and pepper at the end, because it caramelizes better without the salt.

Flavor Variations

This is my most basic sauteed cabbage recipe, but you can easily customize it with add-ins. Here are some of my favorites:

• Skillet Meal – Make it a full meal by cooking cabbage and sausage or my chicken cabbage stir fry in one pan.
• Onion – Sauteed cabbage and onions taste amazing together! The only reason I left them out here is to make the recipe faster, but they make such a great addition. Simply saute a thinly sliced onion for a couple minutes before adding cabbage to the pan.
• Spicy – If you like heat, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes, or even a drizzle of sriracha.
• Bacon – You could just add some crumbled oven bacon , but I think it’s even better following my fried cabbage recipe that cooks the bacon in the process.
• Asian Inspired – Add a splash of coconut aminos (or soy sauce) in place of the balsamic vinegar. I like this version with toasted sesame oil at the end (don’t saute with it, as it will burn), a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and green onions.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep sauteed cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Heat it in the microwave or a hot skillet, until warm.
• Freeze: You can freeze cooked cabbage for up to 3 months. (I don’t recommend freezing it raw.) Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Serving Ideas

Sauteed cabbage pairs with just about any main! Here are some of my favorites:

• Steak – This veggie side goes perfectly with sirloin steak , or even filet mignon or New York strip if you’re feeling fancy.
• Chicken – I pair it with pan seared chicken breast or baked chicken legs most often, but when I’m short on time, chicken thighs in the air fryer are even faster. For a crowd, just roast a whole chicken .
• Fish – Sauteed cabbage makes a flavorful side for baked cod or grilled salmon on weeknights. But my best halibut recipe is such a treat for a special meal.
• Pork – Pop pork chops in an air fryer or bake pork chops in the oven for a comforting vibe with this cabbage side dish. My air fryer sausage is the easiest option, though.

More Shredded Cabbage Recipes

I love shredded cabbage all the ways, both raw and cooked. If you like my sauteed cabbage recipe, check out some other recipes to make with this vegetable:

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 head Green cabbage (~3 lb) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tbsp Unsalted butter (optional, but recommended) ▢
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar (optional) ▢
• 2 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper (to taste) ▢

Instructions

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

1. Cut the cabbage into quarters. Cut out and discard the core. Slice cabbage thinly and separate the slices into shreds.
2. Heat the olive oil in a 12 or 13-inch pan with tall sides over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and saute for about a minute, until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced cabbage. (If you can’t fit all the cabbage into the pan at once, add it in batches and let it wilt down a bit before adding more.) Saute for 10-15 minutes , until cabbage is caramelized. Use tongs to stir the cabbage every 1-2 minutes during sauteing, but not constantly, as constant stirring will prevent browning.
4. If using butter and/or balsamic vinegar (for extra flavor), reduce heat to medium-low during the last minute or two of cooking. Stir in the butter, until melted, and/or the balsamic.
5. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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 cup

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy 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.

Sauteed Cabbage

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!)

Sauteed Cabbage (15-Min Recipe)

Whip up my easy sauteed cabbage recipe in just 15 minutes! It’s perfectly caramelized, sweet, tender, and buttery.

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/sauteed-cabbage/

Ingredients

• 1 head Green cabbage (~3 lb)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Unsalted butter (optional, but recommended)
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar (optional)
• 2 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Cut the cabbage into quarters. Cut out and discard the core. Slice cabbage thinly and separate the slices into shreds.
2. Heat the olive oil in a 12 or 13-inch pan with tall sides over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and saute for about a minute, until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced cabbage. (If you can’t fit all the cabbage into the pan at once, add it in batches and let it wilt down a bit before adding more.) Saute for 10-15 minutes , until cabbage is caramelized. Use tongs to stir the cabbage every 1-2 minutes during sauteing, but not constantly, as constant stirring will prevent browning.
4. If using butter and/or balsamic vinegar (for extra flavor), reduce heat to medium-low during the last minute or two of cooking. Stir in the butter, until melted, and/or the balsamic.
5. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy 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. :)