Steaming Cabbage: A Quick, Healthy, And Delicious Guide

Steamed cabbage is a quick, easy, and healthy dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. It is a versatile side dish that goes well with almost any meal, including meat, fish, salads, and pasta. There are several ways to cook steamed cabbage, including using a stove, microwave, or steamer basket. The cooking time will depend on the desired tenderness of the cabbage. In addition to being tasty, steamed cabbage is also nutritious, as it is low in calories and carbs while being high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

How to steam cabbage in the microwave

Steaming cabbage is a great way to cook this vegetable while preserving its nutrients. It is also a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy side dish that pairs well with beef, pork, ham, and sausage. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam cabbage in the microwave:

Preparing the Cabbage:

Before cooking, it is important to wash the cabbage and remove any discolored portions, including the outer leaves, as they may have blemishes or be bruised. You can steam the cabbage in wedges, thin slices, or shreds. The larger and thicker the piece of cabbage, the longer it will take to cook. Cut the cabbage in half lengthwise, going through the stem and core. Use the tip of your knife to carefully cut a "V" shape on each side of the core to remove it. For wedges, cut the cabbage so that the widest part of each wedge is no bigger than 1 1/2 inches. For slices, cut the cabbage into 1/4-inch pieces. Rinse the cut pieces under running water and gently shake to remove excess moisture.

Steaming in a Microwave-Safe Bowl:

Place the cabbage in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/4 cup of water to the bottom. Cover the bowl with a plate, lid, or plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, leave one corner open to allow moisture to vent. Microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes for sliced cabbage and 9 to 11 minutes for wedges. Stir or rearrange the cabbage halfway through cooking to ensure even heating.

Steaming With a Microwave Steamer:

If you have a microwave steamer, you can use it to ensure more even cooking. Place the cabbage in the vented middle tray and add the cooking liquid to the bottom receptacle. Cover with the vented lid and follow the same cooking times as for the microwave-safe bowl.

Serving:

Once cooked, drain the water from the dish and add butter and salt to taste. Steamed cabbage pairs well with rich foods and sauces, such as fried sausages, wine-based sauces, or fried foods. For a lighter dish, dress it with chili peppers, sesame seed oil, soy sauce, and black Asian vinegar.

How to steam cabbage on the stove

Steaming cabbage is a quick and easy way to cook this healthy, versatile vegetable. It is a great side dish that goes well with almost any meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming cabbage on the stove.

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

First, wash the cabbage and remove any tough outer leaves. Then, cut the cabbage into wedges or shred it into bite-sized pieces. You can also slice it into thin strips, but try to keep the pieces uniform in size so that it cooks evenly.

Step 2: Set Up Your Stovetop

If you have a steamer basket, place the cabbage in it and put the basket in a large pot or pressure cooker. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a wide steel bowl or a large, deep skillet with a lid. Simply add the cabbage directly to the pot or skillet.

Step 3: Add Water and Steam

If using a steamer basket, fill the pot with water just below the basket. If steaming directly in a pot or skillet, add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Step 4: Cook the Cabbage

Place the cabbage in the steamer basket or pot and cover. Steam the cabbage until it is tender. The cooking time will depend on how soft you want the cabbage to be and the variety of cabbage you are using. For tender cabbage, it should take around 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Once the cabbage is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat. You can now season the cabbage with butter, salt, and pepper, or any other spices and herbs of your choice. Give it a good stir to combine the flavours, and then it's ready to serve!

Enjoy your delicious and healthy steamed cabbage!

How to prepare your cabbage

Preparing your cabbage for steaming is a simple process, but it's important to get it right to ensure your dish is tasty and tender. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your cabbage for steaming:

First, you'll want to wash the cabbage thoroughly under running water. Remove any dirty or damaged outer leaves and trim the stem, leaving a flat surface so the cabbage can sit firmly on your cutting board. This will make it easier to handle and reduce the risk of any unwanted bacteria.

Next, cut the cabbage into manageable pieces. You can halve it, quarter it, or slice it into thin strips, depending on your preference and the recipe you're following. Some recipes call for shredding the cabbage, which can be done by slicing each cabbage half into thin strips and separating them with your hands.

If you're using a steamer basket, you can add the cabbage pieces directly to the basket. It's a good idea to sprinkle some salt and spices like turmeric over the cabbage at this point to enhance the flavour. Just lightly mix it with your hands or a spoon.

If you don't have a steamer, don't worry! You can use a large pot or pressure cooker. Simply add a few inches of water to the pot, place a metal colander or wide steel bowl inside, and bring the water to a boil. You can also add a foil top to your colander if it's too big for the pot to help seal in the steam.

Now your cabbage is prepared and ready for steaming! Depending on your recipe and desired tenderness, you'll want to steam the cabbage for around 5-10 minutes.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and cooking times may vary depending on your recipe and the type of cabbage you're using.

How to make the best steamed cabbage

Ingredients

Cabbage is a versatile, healthy, and delicious dish that goes well with many meals. You can use any type of cabbage, such as green, red, napa, savoy, or bok choy, and you can steam it either quartered or chopped into bite-sized pieces. Here are the ingredients you will need:

• 1 medium cabbage, trimmed and shredded
• 2-4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon of fresh garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional spices: cumin seeds, mustard seeds, red chilli, garam masala, curry powder, red pepper flakes, dried parsley, etc.
• Optional toppings: grated parmesan, bacon bits, soy sauce, sesame oil, etc.

Method

• Wash and shred or chop the cabbage as desired. You can also quarter the cabbage and remove the core before slicing it into strips. Drain the water completely if you have rinsed it.
• Place the cabbage in a steamer basket or a large, deep skillet. If using a steamer basket, sprinkle some salt and turmeric, and lightly mix before spreading it evenly in the basket. If using a skillet, add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Cover and steam the cabbage until tender. The cooking time will depend on your preferred tenderness and the type of cabbage used. For bite-sized pieces, steam for 5-7 minutes. For quartered cabbage, steam for 7-10 minutes.
• If using a skillet, drain the water from the dish after steaming. If you want to add spices, now is the time to temper them. Heat a pan with oil and add your desired spices. For an Indian-style tempering, you can use cumin seeds, mustard seeds, red chilli, and hing (asafetida). You can also add curry leaves and a pinch of urad dal (skinned black lentils) for a nutty flavor.
• Saute the spices until fragrant. If using garlic, add it to the pan and saute for about 40-50 seconds, being careful not to burn it. You can also add other ingredients like chopped onions and tomatoes at this stage and cook until well done.
• Add the steamed cabbage to the pan and stir to combine. If using butter, add it now and stir to melt. You can also add other ingredients like carrots at this stage and steam for a few minutes.
• Cook the cabbage for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Serve the steamed cabbage as a side dish. It goes well with rice, roti, or any protein of your choice. You can also squeeze some lemon juice over it for added flavor.

Tips

• Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook cabbage as it preserves its nutrients.
• If you don't have a steamer, you can use a large pot with a lid and a metal colander to steam the cabbage on the stovetop.
• You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, but it will lose its crispness over time.
• Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a bit of water.

How to store and reheat steamed cabbage

If you have leftover steamed cabbage, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to five days, but it will lose its crispness over time.

To reheat, place the cabbage in the microwave on low, or in a small pot with a bit of water, and heat until it is warm. You can also repurpose the cabbage in other dishes, such as colcannon or soup.

If you are storing steamed cabbage for later, it is best to transfer it to a bowl of ice water immediately after steaming to stop the cooking process. After 1-2 minutes, remove the cabbage from the ice water, dry it thoroughly, and then transfer it to an airtight container lined with paper towels. The paper towels will prevent the cabbage from getting soggy.

Frequently asked questions