Steaming Cabbage: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Cooking Method

Steaming cabbage is a quick and easy way to cook this versatile vegetable. It's a great side dish that can accompany a variety of meals, from meat and fish to tofu and vegetables. You can steam cabbage on the stove or in the microwave, and it goes well with seasonings like butter, salt, garlic, and pepper. This cooking method preserves the vegetable's flavour and colour, and it's also a healthy option as it doesn't require much oil.

How to steam cabbage in the microwave

Steaming cabbage is a quick and easy way to cook this healthy vegetable. It is a surprisingly tasty side dish that goes well with beef, pork, ham, sausage, chicken, tofu, and fish.

Ingredients

You will need:

• 1/4 small cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Kosher salt, to taste

Method

• Place the cabbage in a microwave-safe casserole dish.
• Add 1/4-inch of water.
• Cover the dish and microwave on high for 8 minutes. If your microwave does not have a turntable, rotate the dish a quarter turn halfway through cooking.
• Drain the water from the dish.
• Add the butter and salt, and serve.

Tips

• If you want to make more than one serving, simply increase the amount of cabbage and use 2 tablespoons of butter for every 1/4 of a cabbage head.
• If you want to add some extra flavour, you can replace the butter with freshly chopped dill and 2 tablespoons of sour cream, or add some of your favourite dried herbs to the butter and salt.
• If you want to reheat any leftovers, do so gently in the microwave at 50% power.

How to steam cabbage on the stove

Steaming cabbage is a quick and easy way to cook this nutritious vegetable. It is a surprisingly delicious side dish that goes well with many meals. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming cabbage on the stove.

What You'll Need:

• A large pot with a lid
• A steamer basket or metal colander
• Fresh cabbage (green or red cabbage)
• Water
• Butter (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Other seasonings of your choice (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Start by washing the cabbage and removing any tough or damaged outer leaves.
• Cut the cabbage into quarters or smaller chunks, depending on your preference.
• Fill the large pot with about an inch of water and place it on the stove.
• Place the steamer basket or metal colander inside the pot. Make sure the water level is just below the basket.
• Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Add the chopped cabbage to the steamer basket or colander.
• Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium.
• Steam the cabbage until it is tender. This usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the variety of cabbage and your desired level of doneness.
• Once the cabbage is tender, remove it from the steamer and place it in a serving bowl.
• If desired, add butter, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice. Stir to combine.
• Serve the steamed cabbage immediately.

Tips:

• It is important to monitor the water level in the pot and add more water if needed to prevent the pot from boiling dry.
• You can experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to add flavor to your steamed cabbage, such as garlic, red pepper flakes, or soy sauce.
• Steamed cabbage is a versatile side dish that pairs well with meat, fish, or tofu.
• Leftover steamed cabbage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently before serving.

How to shred cabbage

To shred cabbage, you'll first want to cut the cabbage into wedges. First, rinse the cabbage and remove the outermost leaves. Then, cut the bottom of the stem off. Place the stem end of the cabbage on the cutting board and slice the cabbage in half from top to bottom. Repeat this process, creating four quarters.

Next, you'll want to remove the core. Position a wedge with one of the cut sides facing down onto the cutting board. With the knife, make an angled cut into the cabbage to remove the core. Repeat this with the remaining wedges.

Now, you're ready to shred! You can use a knife, a mandoline, or a food processor. If using a knife, lay each wedge flat on the cutting board. Keeping the wedge flat against the cutting board, slice lengthwise for shorter shreds or crosswise for longer shreds. Repeat with each wedge.

If using a mandoline, place the wedge cut-side-down on the mandoline and place the guard over the top. Carefully run the wedge along the mandoline, using the blade of your desired thickness.

If using a food processor, roughly cut the wedges into smaller pieces that you can feed into the processor. Assemble the food processor with the slicing attachment and feed the cabbage pieces into the processor, pressing down with the pusher. Pulse while holding down the pusher and repeat until all the wedges are shredded.

Once you've shredded your cabbage, you can steam it! Place the shredded cabbage in a large, deep, lidded skillet. Cover the skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. When the cabbage starts to steam, lower the heat to medium. Steam the cabbage, covered, for about 5 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for two more minutes to allow the remaining water to evaporate. Then, stir in butter and seasoning, if desired. Cook for another 2 minutes and serve.

How to serve steamed cabbage

Steamed cabbage is a versatile side dish that can accompany a variety of meals. Here are some ideas on how to serve it:

As a Side Dish

Steamed cabbage is a surprisingly tasty and delicate side dish that pairs well with various main courses. It goes well with:

• Pork: Try serving it with baked pork chops or a pork roast.
• Chicken: It complements chicken dishes such as chicken leg quarters, baked chicken drumsticks, or blackened chicken.
• Beef, Ham, or Sausage: It can also be served alongside beef, ham, or sausage, as a classic side.
• Fish: Steamed cabbage can be a great accompaniment to fish dishes like blackened salmon, tilapia, or baked trout.
• Shellfish: Try adding it to dishes like BBQ shrimp or marinated shrimp.
• Tofu: It can also be served with tofu dishes, such as BBQ tofu or baked tofu.

As a Main Course

In Jamaica, steamed cabbage is often served as a main course. It can be a filling and nutritious meal on its own or paired with other dishes like:

• Rasta Pasta: Try serving steamed cabbage with a simple Rasta Pasta for a flavourful and colourful meal.
• Vegan Stuffed Eggplant: It also goes well with delectable vegan stuffed eggplant.
• Cassava Dumplings or Vegan Chicken and Dumplings: For a heartier meal, serve steamed cabbage alongside cassava dumplings or vegan chicken and dumplings.
• Jamaican Jerk Cauliflower: For a spicy twist, pair it with Jamaican jerk cauliflower.
• Jamaican Spicy Curry Potato: Or, try it with a Jamaican spicy curry potato for a flavourful and hearty meal.

Adding Extra Ingredients

You can also experiment with adding extra ingredients to your steamed cabbage to change it up:

• Butter and Salt: Keep it simple with just butter and salt to let the delicious cabbage flavour shine through.
• Dill and Sour Cream: For a fresh twist, add some freshly chopped dill and a couple of tablespoons of sour cream instead of butter.
• Herbs: Mix in some of your favourite dried herbs with butter and salt for an aromatic experience.
• Parmesan or Bacon Bits: For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese or bacon bits.
• Asian Flavours: For an Asian-inspired dish, drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, and serve with chopsticks.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you have any leftover steamed cabbage, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to four to five days, although it may lose some of its crispness over time. To reheat, simply place it in the microwave at 50% power until gently warmed through.

The health benefits of steamed cabbage

Steamed cabbage is not only delicious but also offers a host of health benefits. Here are some reasons why you should include it in your diet:

It's packed with nutrients

Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It provides vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, manganese, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Even better, it's low in calories, so you can enjoy a nutritious meal without worrying about your waistline.

It's good for digestion

The insoluble fibre in cabbage helps keep things moving smoothly through your digestive tract, while the soluble fibre increases the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut. This combination can help improve your digestive health and keep things regular.

It's an anti-inflammatory food

Cabbage is loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help reduce swelling in your tissues. This is important because chronic inflammation is linked to serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.

It boosts heart health

The soluble fibre and phytosterols in cabbage work together to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. Additionally, the anthocyanins in red cabbage—which give it its vibrant purple colour—have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.

It's versatile and easy to cook

Steaming cabbage is a simple and gentle cooking method that enhances its flavour and texture. You can also boil, sauté, stir-fry, or bake it. It's a versatile vegetable that goes well with many dishes and can be a surprising delicacy when prepared right.

Frequently asked questions