This cherished family recipe comes from my mom and has been enjoyed for more than 100 years. It was a year-round favorite in our home, bringing comfort and tradition to every season. I’ve refreshed the post with my SIS Tip, Neuro Nutrition Nugget, and answers to frequently asked questions, then updated and republished it for today’s readers.
When St. Patrick’s Day arrives, it’s easy to think of festive green foods and beloved traditional dishes. But you don’t have to choose between celebrating tradition and making nutritious choices. Sautéed cabbage and onions offer a delicious way to enjoy the holiday with a healthier twist. With a savory, buttery flavor and a slightly crisp texture, this simple dish is a flavorful alternative to traditional boiled cabbage.
Beyond its comforting taste, cabbage and onions provide an impressive combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support overall health, including brain and nervous system health. This nutrient-rich side dish makes it easier to add wholesome ingredients to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration without sacrificing flavor. Before planning your holiday feast, discover why this simple combination deserves a spot on your table and how it can add both nutrition and flavor to your celebration.
Key Takeaways:
- Sautéed cabbage and onions is a quick side dish that combines tender cabbage with sweet, savory onions and buttery flavor.
- You only need a few basic ingredients, including 4 cups of sliced cabbage, 2 cups of sliced sweet onions, 4 tablespoons of butter or non-dairy butter, plus salt and pepper.
- The recipe takes about 12 minutes, with approximately 5 minutes of preparation and 7 minutes of cooking.
- For the best texture, avoid overcooking the cabbage and aim for tender cabbage with a slight bite instead of a soft, soggy texture. Current cooking guidance also recommends using a large pan so the cabbage can sauté rather than steam.
- Non-dairy butter makes the recipe dairy-free, so you can easily adapt this simple vegetable side for a dairy-free meal.
- This cabbage and onion combination is versatile and can be served alongside corned beef, used in place of sauerkraut on a Reuben, served with plant-based meals, or added to baked potatoes and burgers.
Overview
Sautéed cabbage and onions is a quick, simple side dish made with sliced cabbage, sweet onions, butter or non-dairy butter, salt, and pepper. This recipe takes about 12 minutes to prepare and cook, making it an easy way to turn everyday vegetables into a flavorful side dish. The cabbage is sautéed until tender while retaining some of its natural crunch, while the onions add sweetness and savory flavor. For the best texture, use a large skillet and avoid overcooking the cabbage. This versatile dish pairs well with corned beef, burgers, roasted meats, or plant-based meals and can also be used as a topping for baked potatoes or sandwiches. Cabbage also provides fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and other nutrients, making this an easy vegetable-forward addition to a balanced meal.
SIS -Tip: Simple is Smart Tip
Make this recipe even healthier by using non-dairy butter. Simply replace the butter with your favorite non-dairy alternative. Several brands are available, and both stick-style and soft non-dairy butter work beautifully in this recipe.
Neuro Nutrition Nugget - Cabbage
Cabbage, this nutrient-rich cruciferous vegetable, is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other neuro-nutrients that can support brain health. Its antioxidants help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and may help reduce inflammation. Oxidative stress occurs when unstable molecules called free radicals damage healthy cells. Antioxidants help defend the body by neutralizing these harmful free radicals. Cabbage is also an excellent source of vitamin K, a nutrient associated with healthy cognitive function and brain health. In addition, cabbage provides folate, a B vitamin that plays an important role in normal brain development and nervous system function.
Cabbage and onions are also excellent sources of prebiotics. They contain nondigestible carbohydrates that serve as fuel for beneficial bacteria in the gut. A healthy gut microbiome is closely connected to brain health through the gut-brain connection. Your gut and brain communicate constantly, and the gut microbiome produces a variety of compounds that influence the brain and nervous system. Supporting a healthy gut microbiome can therefore be an important part of supporting both physical and mental well-being.
If you’re curious about the health benefits of cabbage, I have an article for you: 10 Compelling Reasons to Eat Cabbage.
I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of boiled cabbage. I apologize to all the boiled cabbage lovers out there! I understand that cooking cabbage in the same water as corned beef can give it plenty of flavor, but I have to say, it doesn’t do much for the texture. I prefer my cabbage fresh, crisp, and crunchy. Soft or soggy cabbage just isn’t for me. Is “al dente” a cooking method for cabbage? Probably not, but maybe it should be! I’ll happily take my cabbage al dente, please.
The good news is that sauteed cabbage and onions require just three simple ingredients: chopped cabbage, sliced onions, and butter. Add a little salt and pepper to taste if you like, and that’s all you need. So, let’s skip the soggy cabbage and dive into a delicious pan of buttery, perfectly sauteed cabbage and onions.
What do I need to make sauteed cabbage and onions?
Sauteed cabbage and onions couldn’t be easier to make. You only need three simple ingredients: chopped cabbage, sliced onions, and butter. Add a little salt and pepper to taste if desired, and that’s all there is to it.
How Do I Cook Sauteed Cabbage and Onions?
Start with four cups of chopped cabbage and two cups of sliced sweet onions. Sauté them in 4 tablespoons of melted butter or non-dairy butter until they are just tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve alongside corned beef for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, use it in place of sauerkraut in a Reuben for a delicious twist on the classic sandwich, or enjoy it as a flavorful side dish with my Vegan Meatloaf.
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Sauteed Cabbage and Onions
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 2 cups onions sweet, sliced
- 4 cups cabbage sliced
- 4 tbsp butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a frying pan on medium high.
- Add the sliced cabbage and onions and saute about 7 minutes or until desired doneness is acheived.
- Salt and Pepper to taste, serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ:
Sautéed cabbage and onions is a quick side dish
You only need a few basic ingredients
The recipe takes about 12 minutes
For the best texture, avoid overcooking the cabbage
Non-dairy butter makes the recipe dairy-free
This cabbage and onion combination is versatile
Final Thoughts
Sautéed cabbage and onions is proof that a simple recipe can deliver incredible flavor without complicated ingredients. With just cabbage, sweet onions, butter or non-dairy butter, and a little seasoning, you can create a savory side dish that is tender, slightly crunchy, and ready in about 12 minutes.
Whether you serve it alongside corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day, use it instead of sauerkraut in a Reuben, or pair it with your favorite plant-based main dish, this easy sautéed cabbage and onions recipe is versatile enough for any meal. It is also an excellent way to add more vegetables to your plate while keeping preparation simple.
If you prefer cabbage with a little texture rather than the softness of boiled cabbage, this recipe is worth trying. Keep the cabbage slightly crisp, season it to taste, and enjoy a comforting vegetable side dish that can easily become a family favorite.
THE BEST and Easiest!!
Thank you so much, I am new to trying to use cabbage for something else besides coleslaw. Meta in Maine
Hello Meta: I’m glad you found this recipe. I make this cabbage on St. Patrick’s day instead of boiled cabbage. I also have a vegan burger on the website for which I use this cabbage recipe. (except the butter) I use vegan butter.
Absolutely delicious and so easy I added a little Pomo strained tomatoes to it due to I over salted it was so yummy
That is a delicious solution for to much salt.
Nice and easy simple and quick
Love this recipe. thank you
I’m glad you gave it a try and enjoyed it.
so yumm
I agree, I love this recipe as well.
so easy to make.
Thank you and enjoy.