Cabbage Stir Fry (Printable)
Quick Asian-inspired stir fry with crisp cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers in a savory sesame-soy sauce.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium head green cabbage, thinly sliced
02 - 1 large carrot, julienned
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2 green onions, sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
→ Sauce
07 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
08 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
09 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
10 - 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
11 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
12 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
13 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Slice the cabbage, julienne the carrot, thinly slice the bell pepper, slice the green onions, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger. Set aside until ready to cook.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup or honey, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Set aside.
03 - Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of avocado or canola oil.
04 - Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the hot oil. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
05 - Add the julienned carrots and sliced bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften slightly.
06 - Add the sliced cabbage and stir-fry until it just begins to wilt, about 4–5 minutes. The cabbage should retain some crispness.
07 - Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables and toss to coat evenly. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
08 - Remove from heat, stir in the green onions, and garnish with sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately while still warm and crisp.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce balances salty, sweet, and tangy notes perfectly, making even cabbage skeptics ask for seconds
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, but it tastes like you spent way more time on it
02 -
- Do not overcrowd your pan. If you double the recipe, cook in batches. Overcrowding makes everything steam instead of stir fry.
- Have your sauce ready before you start cooking. Once you add hot vegetables, you want to coat them immediately.
03 -
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before sprinkling. The difference in flavor is huge.
- If your cabbage seems especially thick, remove the tough core before slicing. It makes the texture more uniform.