All About Cabbage - Unlock Food (2024)

All About Cabbage - Unlock Food (1)

Cabbage is a nutritious and inexpensive vegetable choice.It also tastes great and can be used in many different ways. You can enjoy the spicy taste and crunchy texture of raw cabbage or the sweetness of cooked cabbage. Here are five great ways to have cabbage more often.

Nutritional profile of cabbage

Here are some good reasons to choose cabbage more often.

  • Cabbage is a source of vitamin C and fibre.

  • Cabbage is low in calories and has no saturated or trans fat.

  • Cabbage contains antioxidants and phytochemicals.

  • Cabbage is a vegetable. Vegetables and fruits should make up half of your meals and snacks.

Try something new

A variety of cabbages grown inCanadaare available all year round in the grocery store.Try these in your favourite dishes.

  • Green cabbages are great for soups and stews.

  • Purple cabbages are used often for pickled dishes and salads.

  • Napacabbage (also called Chinese cabbage) is light green and has crinkled leaves. It’s great for stir-frying.

Buying local cabbage

You can buy local cabbage almost all year long. Look for local cabbage at your grocery store or Farmer’s Market. When you buylocal food, you support farmers so they can keep producing high quality, affordable food we can all enjoy.

Buy cabbage at it's best

Here are some tips for buying cabbage.

  • Pre-bagged.Cabbage that is already bagged and shredded can save you time but it can also be more expensive. Remember that even if the package says that the cabbage is “pre-washed,” you should rinse it with cold water before eating. Use by the best before date.

  • Head of cabbage.Choose cabbage that seems firm and heavy for its size, with fresh, crisp-looking leaves that are tightly packed and aren’t wilting or blemished.

Tips for storing cabbage

  • Wrapped tightly in plastic, a head of cabbage will keep for about two weeks in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

  • Once cut, use cabbage within 2-3 days.

  • Cover and refrigerate cooked cabbage within two hours of cooking and use within 3-5 days.

  • If the cabbage is part of mixed dish like cabbage rolls, store covered in the fridge and use within 3-4 days.

  • Freeze fresh or cooked cabbage in airtight containers or freezer bags for 10-12 months.

Tips for cooking cabbage

  • Remove outer leaves and rinse cabbage well.

  • To keep cabbage fresh, don’t cut it until just before you use it.

  • To shred cabbage, cut the head into four quarters and cut out the hard stalk in the middle. Cut each quarter into fine shreds.

  • You can microwave, shred, pickle, bake, steam, stir-fry or boil cabbage.

5 things to do with cabbage

1. Basic steamed cabbage

Here’s how to make a basic side dish of steamed cabbage.

  1. In a wide pan, add 2 tbsp (30 mL) each non-hydrogenated margarine or butter and water. Bring to a boil.

  2. Add 5-6 cups (1.25 to 1.5 L) shredded cabbage. Cook for a few minutes. Serves 4.

2. Coleslaw with a twist

Coleslaw is an easy, make-ahead salad with shredded cabbage and a vinaigrette or creamy dressing. The variations are endless. Try these tasty additions to your favourite coleslaw recipe:

  • Add fruit: orange segments, julienned (matchstick size) apple or pear, canned pineapple tidbits, or grape halves.

  • Mix in other vegetable combinations. Try shredded jicama, peppers or beets.

  • For lower-fat creamy coleslaw, replace mayonnaise with low-fat yogurt.

Coleslaw will keep for about 3 days in an airtight container stored in the fridge. It’s great for packed lunches!

3. Fresh spring rolls

Enjoy tasty restaurant-style “fresh” (not fried) spring rolls at home.Use cabbage leaves as your wrapper or look for egg-roll wrappers in the grocery store freezer section.

1. Prepare the fillings. One-quarter cup of filling is enough for each 22-cm (8 inch) spring roll wrapper. Try a combination of:

  • Shredded cabbage and carrots

  • Leftover meat like cooked chicken, tofu, cooked shrimp, or sliced omelette

  • Cooked rice noodles tossed with a small amount of rice wine vinegar

  • Herbs like chopped mint, cilantro or basil

2. Add filling to wrappers and fold up like burritos (follow package instructions).

3. Serve with peanut sauce.

Make-ahead tip:Wrap fresh spring rolls in a dampened paper towel and place in an airtight container for up to 6 hours. Cut in half before serving.

4. Quick veggie-noodle salad

Enjoy this salad in the winter when crispy fresh greens are not in season. It’s also great when you need to feed a large group or use up leftover pasta.

  1. Toss cooked whole-wheat pasta with prepared peanut sauce.

  2. Add broccoli florets, shredded cabbage and carrots.

  3. Add protein (tofu, chickpeas, leftover cooked meat, poultry, sliced omelette, or cooked shrimp).

  4. Top with chopped cilantro or green onions.

5. Soup

Chunky vegetable soup is a delicious and satisfying way to warm up on a winter day. It’s also great for using up leftovers. Try diced cabbage in almost any soup recipe.

Try these soup and cabbage recipes:

Red Cabbage and Pasta Soup with Beans
Minestrone Soup

Other cabbage recipes to try:

My Grandma’s Beet Soup
Ontario Winter Vegetable Soup
Cabbage Rolls

How can a dietitian help?

A dietitian can support you throughout many phases of your life from pregnancy to eating well when you are older. Counselling sessions with a dietitian can also help you to prevent and treathealth conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Your dietitian will work with you to give you personalized advice that meets your lifestyle and goals. Connect with a dietitian today!

Bottom line

Cabbage is a nutritious and versatile choice to add to meals and snacks. Enjoy it raw or cooked for an extra boost of vitamin C and fibre.

You may also be interested in:

Are Fermented Foods Good For Me?
All About Dark Leafy Greens
Family-Friendly One-Week Sample Menu Plan
Top 5 Reasons to See a Dietitian

This article was written and reviewed by dietitians from Dietitians of Canada. The advice in this article is intended as general information and should not replace advice given by your dietitian or healthcare provider.

Last Update – February 19, 2023

All About Cabbage - Unlock Food (2024)

FAQs

What food value do we get from cabbage? ›

Cabbage is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. Some research suggests that it may have health benefits that include supporting digestion and heart health, among others.

Is it okay to eat cabbage every day? ›

It is important to note that, while it is true that eating cabbage may support weight-management goals, this veggie should not be overconsumed, as too much cabbage can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, like bloating. It is also important to enjoy cabbage as a part of a balanced and healthy diet.

Is drinking boiled cabbage water good for you? ›

Drinking cabbage water can have a positive impact on your digestive system. It contains natural compounds that aid in digestion and help relieve symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and constipation. Cabbage water is also rich in dietary fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements and contributes to a healthy gut.

Does cabbage reduce inflammation? ›

The antioxidants in cabbage help reduce inflammation, which is linked to heart disease. Cabbage also contains something called anthocyanins. Several studies have found these compounds can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What is the healthiest cabbage to eat? ›

However, the purple variety is richer in beneficial plant compounds that have been linked to health benefits, such as stronger bones and a healthier heart. Purple cabbage is also thought to lower inflammation and protect against certain types of cancers.

Does cabbage burn belly fat? ›

Does cabbage burn belly fat? Although cabbage is a nutritious low-calorie vegetable, many people associate it with weight loss because of the popular "cabbage soup diet". Some creative marketing has led people to believe that cabbage actually burns body fat. In fact, no food, including cabbage, burns body fat.

Is cabbage healthier, cooked or raw? ›

Even Raw, It's Great for You

Although you get different nutrients if you cook or ferment it, raw red cabbage in particular might give you the best nutritional boost per serving. Slice it very thinly and leave it for about 10 minutes to help bring out the fullest, most complex flavors.

Does cabbage detox the body? ›

Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.

Is cabbage good for your liver? ›

Cabbage is rich in vitamin C and sulphur; both help remove toxins such as free radicals and uric acid from your body. Cabbage juice contains 'Indole-3 carbonile' antioxidant, which plays a pivotal role in detoxifying the liver.

What does soaking cabbage in water do? ›

We wanted to find a method that would keep the cabbage from watering down the dressing and also a way to make the salad piquant without tasting too sharp. The solution: Some recipes call for soaking cabbage in ice water to make it crisp and plump.

How long to boil cabbage? ›

How long should I boil cabbage? Shredded cabbage will be done in around 5 minutes; for wedges, it'll be done around 10. You want to cook until tender, but err on the side of caution—overcooked cabbage will turn limp and give off a less-than-pleasant smell. Tip: Make sure to drain your cabbage to prevent overcooking!

Is cabbage juice good for the kidneys? ›

Vitamin K, Vitamin C and many B Vitamins are found in cabbage. Cabbage contains insoluble fibre that keeps the digestive system healthy thereby promoting regular bowel movements and adding bulk to stool. Cabbage is low in potassium, phosphorus and sodium which is healthy for a patient suffering from kidney problems.

What organ is cabbage good for? ›

Cabbage is highly nutritious vegetable. Cabbages are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. They may help with heart and digestive health. Cabbage, which is often lumped into the same category as lettuce because of their similar appearance, is actually a part of the cruciferous vegetable family.

Is cabbage good for arthritis? ›

Eating raw cabbage is suitable for people with arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory flavonoids, sulforaphane, and kaempferol. These reduce serum concentrations of inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP).

What are the side effects of cabbage? ›

Consuming cabbage in excess can result in abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and flatulence. It can also result in ingesting toxic chemicals like goitrin, thiocyanates and benzyl cyanide.

What are the benefits of cabbage? ›

Cabbage is highly nutritious vegetable. Cabbages are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. They may help with heart and digestive health. Cabbage, which is often lumped into the same category as lettuce because of their similar appearance, is actually a part of the cruciferous vegetable family.

Is cabbage considered a superfood? ›

Green and red cabbages are excellent sources of vitamin C and vitamin K and purple cabbage is a good source of vitamin A. Purple cabbage has eleven times more vitamin A than green cabbage. Vitamin C increases absorption of iron, assists with wound healing and helps to maintain bones, teeth, and cartilage.

Is cabbage healthier than lettuce? ›

Which should you choose? If you're looking for the healthier option of the two, choose cabbage. Lettuce varieties such as red leaf lettuce and romaine are also good options. Cabbage, including green and red cabbage, is typically higher in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds than iceberg lettuce.

Is cabbage good for the elderly? ›

Eating just one serving of leafy green vegetables per day can promote brain health and reduce your risk of developing dementia. Research has shown that older adults who eat at least one serving of cabbage or similar vegetables each day have “brain ages” an average of eleven years younger than those who rarely eat any.

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