Melting Cabbage

4.4

(8)

8 Reviews

This velvety cabbage in this easy cabbage recipe melts in your mouth and picks up the flavors of caraway, cumin and garlic as it simmers in broth in the oven. Serve it alongside roasted pork or chicken.

Carolyn Casner

Updated on April 4, 2024

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Carb Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Egg-Free Gluten-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

The Best Way to Cook Cabbage

Cooked cabbage may not elicit excitement from many, but we aim to change that with this easy method for "melting" cabbage. Melting cabbage uses a moist heat cooking method (as opposed to a dry heat method, like roasting). The cabbage cooks in liquid, which helps it achieve its velvety smooth "melted" texture. The liquid itself is packed with flavors from broth to spices like caraway and cumin and a healthy amount of garlic. Cutting the cabbage into wedges but keeping the root intact keeps the pieces whole but exposes the folds in the leaves that soak up the flavors of the sauce, resulting in a cooked cabbage recipe that's anything but boring.

Can I Swap Green Cabbage for Purple Cabbage?

Yes! Purple cabbage and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Savoy cabbage and napa cabbage have more tender leaves than green or purple cabbage and won't stand up to this cooking method as well. They are better suited for sautéing, roasting or eating fresh. Want more cabbage inspiration? Check out these 31 recipes that start with a head of cabbage.

Additional reporting by Hilary Meyer

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Ingredients

1 head green cabbage (about 2 pounds), outermost leaves removed
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
¾ teaspoon salt, divided
¾ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
4 large cloves garlic, sliced
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Whole-grain mustard, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Slice cabbage in half through the root. Cut each half into 4 wedges, keeping the root intact. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cabbage wedges and cook until browned in spots on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle both sides with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil, the remaining cabbage and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, onion, garlic, caraway seeds and cumin seeds to the pan; cook, stirring, until starting to soften and brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until starting to darken, about 2 minutes. Add broth, dry mustard and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Return the cabbage to the pan, overlapping the wedges if necessary. Bake, turning once, until the cabbage is very soft and the sauce has reduced and thickened, 40 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with mustard, if desired.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, November 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

114	Calories
8g	Fat
11g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 wedge
Calories 114
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 3g	6%
Total Fat 8g	10%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Vitamin A 209IU	4%
Sodium 262mg	11%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.