This Buttered Cabbage recipe is made with just 3 ingredients in under 15 minutes! Saute chopped cabbage with rich butter for a great side dish. It's perfect with chicken, beef and many other dishes. Even if you don't think you like cabbage, you'll love buttered cabbage!
Buttered cabbage is one of my favorite side dishes. Not only is it made with minimal ingredients, but cabbage is a filling vegetable that costs very little.
Cooking by frying it in butter is one of the best ways to enjoy this versatile veggie.
You’ll start by coring a head of cabbage. You can use any type you enjoy, even red cabbage or savoy.
It then gets cooked in a bit of melted butter where it gets braised until fork-tender and buttery.
Season with a bit of salt and pepper, then you can serve it any way you like!
Serve it alongside grilled chicken and Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or even as a vegetable side dish to a meal of Spinach and Artichoke Pasta.
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Why Make This Recipe
You’ll only need 3 simple ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make a batch of buttered cabbage.
Cabbage is a healthy vegetable that is very budget-friendly.
You can use it to bulk up any low-carb dish.
Pair it with any protein or grain, or you can add it to soups and stews for additional texture and nutrition.
Make it an Irish meal alongside Corned Beef.
Ingredients
- Fresh Cabbage - You’ll need a head of cabbage or white cabbage, pointed cabbage, or savoy. Your favorite cabbage will work with this method.
- Butter - Softens the cabbage and also adds a rich buttery flavor.
- Salt and Pepper - Helps bring out the natural flavors in buttered cabbage.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.
How to Make Buttered Cabbage
Wondering how to make this buttered cabbage recipe? It's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Prepare the cabbage: Shed the outer leaves of the cabbage, then remove the core using a sharp knife. Slice the rest of the cabbage into bite-sized pieces or shreds.
Melt the butter: In a medium-sized skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat until it's transparent.
Cook the cabbage: Add the cabbage to the melted butter in the pan and give it a stir. Add the lid, then turn the heat down to low. Cook for about 10-15 minutes while occasionally stirring until it's soft.
Serve: Remove the cooked cabbage from the skillet. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm with your favorite dish.
Cook's Tips
When choosing cabbage, make sure the head is bright and that the leaves are crisp and unbruised before purchasing.
You can cut the cabbage into long shreds like pasta, or larger bite-sized pieces depending on how you like to enjoy cabbage.
Stir the cabbage often when cooking in the skillet to prevent it from browning or burning.
Use high-quality Irish grass-fed butter for the most optimal taste.If you find your cabbage is about to brown, turn down your skillet and add a splash of water to keep it steaming in the pan.
Serving Suggestions
Variations
You can use one type of cabbage, or mix and match the cabbage for different types of texture.
Add your favorite herbs and seasonings such as Italian, Greek, Cajun, or any seasoning blend you enjoy.
Make spicy buttered cabbage by adding a dash of chili oil to the butter or sprinkling with some cayenne pepper.
Throw in some caraway seeds to give it a classic Irish cabbage flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it with a side of Mashed Potatoes at an Irish dinner.
Pairs well with any other veggie side dish such as Roasted Beets.
Make a cabbage soup with any leftovers you may have.
Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish, for an easy, nutritious dinner.
Storage & Freezing
Storing: Leftover buttered cabbage can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days before reheating and serving.
Freezing: Because cabbage contains a high water content, it will not hold the same texture when frozen. Therefore, freezing is not recommended.
FAQs
You can! The structure of red cabbage is a bit more sturdy which means it may take a bit longer to cook down and have a stronger taste.
Yes! You can saute the onion and garlic into the butter first, then add the cabbage and cook all together.
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📖 Recipe
Buttered Cabbage
Equipment
- Sautee Pan
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage or white cabbage pointed/sweetheart cabbage or savoy)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove and discard the core of the cabbage and chop the rest into bite-sized pieces.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over a medium-low heat.
- Stir in the cabbage, put the lid on the pan, turn the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s soft, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn’t brown.
- Season well with salt and pepper and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Jeanine
I am growing more cabbage in my garden than I can handle this year. This is so easy, I'll be making it often!
Taylor
So simple and so delicious! My favorite way to cook cabbage from the garden. My family loves it too!