This easy cabbage stir-fry recipe is a simple vegan stir-fry for a busy week. It's like a deconstructed egg roll in a bowl without any hassle. So, dig into this delicious, quick, and easy weeknight meal.
The older I get, the more I appreciate a quick and easy dinner without a lot of fuss but with a ton of flavor. This easy cabbage stir fry recipe checks all the boxes! It's fast, easy, and it cooks in one pan. Add some tofu for added protein, and you have a winner!
Jump to:
The Benefits of Eating Cabbage
Cabbage is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. Some research suggests that it may have health benefits, including supporting digestion and heart health.
In fact, just 1 cup, or 89 grams (g), of raw green cabbage contains:
- Calories: 22
- Protein: 1 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Vitamin K: 56% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 36% of the DV
- Folate: 10% of the DV
- Manganese: 6% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 6% of the DV
- Calcium: 3% of the DV
- Potassium: 3% of the DV
- Magnesium: 3% of the DV
I love cabbage, and what I love even more are the ready-made bags of cabbage slaw available at the grocery store, which contain all the goodies. Although the prebagged cabbage slaw may sometimes be more expensive, it often includes a variety of ingredients, making the price worth it!
Cabbage Stir Fry Ingredients
- Broccoli Slaw: A bag of prepackaged organic broccoli slaw contains organic broccoli and red cabbage, as well as a little shredded carrots.
- Carrots: I added more shredded carrots for color and nutrients, as the prepackaged bag didn't have enough for my liking.
- Green Onions: Green onions have a mild flavor with a sweetness and freshness, especially in their green tops. The white parts are more pungent, while the green tops are more herbaceous and less intense. They're often used as a garnish or flavoring agent, adding a zesty kick without overpowering other flavors.
- White Onions: White onions have a sharper, more distinct, and brighter flavor than yellow onions, especially when raw. They have a cleaner, crisper, and firmer texture compared to yellow onions. When cooked, white onions thanmelt into dishes more readily than yellow onions.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best, but you can also use garlic paste or jarred garlic.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger has a unique, spicy, and slightly sweet flavo,r, often described as pungent and warm with a peppery kick. It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
- Mushrooms: I used cremini mushrooms, but any type of mushrooms will work well with this easy cabbage stir-fry recipe.
- Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar has a mild, sweet, and tangy flavor. It is less acidic than white vinegar but still provides a note. It's often described as having a bright, delicate taste that balances sweet and savory flavors.
- Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin sauce has a sweet and savory flavor, often described as tasting like tangy barbecue sauce with a hint of sweetness and umami. It's a thick, dark-colored sauce traditionally made with fermented soybeans, sugar, garlic, and spices.
- Soy Sauce: I used low-sodium soy sauce; for a gluten-free version, use Tamari.
- Tofu (Optional): Add some air-fried, baked, or grilled tofu to the cabbage stir fry for more protein, or leave it off. The choice is yours.
Cabbage Stir Fry Ingredient Substitutions
- Choose any type of coleslaw blend you prefer or shred whole cabbage.
- Yellow onions are an excellent substitute for white onions in recipes.
- For fresh ginger, ground ginger is the closest substitute. If fresh ginger isn't available, ground allspice, or mace can be used in baked goods and savory dishes.
- Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, provide the same earthy and nutty flavor as mushrooms. They also help add bulk to a dish in the same way that mushrooms do.
- For a good substitute for rice vinegar, consider apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar. These vinegars offer a similar mild, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile.
- Try soy sauce with added sweetness and umami for a versatile hoisin sauce substitute. You can also use barbecue sauce, teriyaki, or even mix plum sauce with a touch of soy sauce.
- Several options can substitute soy sauce: tamari, coconut aminos, vegan Worcestershire sauce, vegan fish sauce, miso paste, and Maggi seasoning.
Optional Tofu
If you want to include tofu in the stir fry, I suggest using extra firm tofu.
- Cut the tofu into equal-sized cubes.
- Marinate the tofu in 1 Tablespoon of Hoisin sauce, 1 Tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 Tablespoon of rice vinegar, overnight if possible or at least an hour.
- Bake, air-fry, or grill the tofu while making the cabbage stir-fry.
How to Make Easy Cabbage Stir Fry
- Begin by heating a large pan, or preferably a Wok, on medium high heat.
- The pan should be hot before adding the garlic and onion.
- Saute until the onion is translucent; then add the mushrooms and ginger.
- Toss until the mushrooms are golden brown.
- Then, add the shredded carrots.
- In the meantime, combine the rice vinegar, hoisin sauce and soy sauce in a small measuring cup and whisk together; set aside.
- Now add the bagged cabbage salad.
- Again, toss the cabbage mixture until the cabbage darkens in color. This only takes a few minutes.
- Add the green onions and toss one more time.
- The secret to perfect stir fry is adding the sauce LAST!
- Top with tofu if using.
Recipe FAQ
No, it is best to cook raw cabbage in a hot wok or large pan for a few minutes to avoid overcooking.
The key to a great stir-fry lies in achieving a balance of textures and flavors through proper technique and ingredient choices. This includes using a hot pan, keeping ingredients separate, and adding ingredients in the right order for optimal cooking. And the most important thing is to add the sauce last. DO NOT COOK the stir fry in sauce, or it will be mushy.
Cabbage is typically added to a stir fry before softer vegetables like snow peas or bean sprouts. However, cabbage should be added in the middle of the cooking process, after other aromatics and harder vegetables have been sautéed.
Tips
- If using tofu, prep it the day before; the longer it marinates, the more flavor it has.
- Choose your favorite cabbage blend, or cut your own cabbage if you don't want to use a prepared bag.
- This recipe has very little sauce, because it doesn't need more. It goes a long way.
- Do not overcook the cabbage. It only takes a few minutes on medium-high. The trick is to allow it to cook, then toss and repeat.
- The color of the cabbage changes to a brighter color, indicating it is done.
- Do a little taste test; the cabbage should be warm, crunchy, and delicious.
- The secret to great stir-fry is to add the sauce after the stir-fry is done cooking.
If you are looking for a fresh, fast weeknight dinner, try this easy cabbage stir-fry recipe.
More Vegan Dishes to Devour
If you love this easy cabbage stir fry recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Easy Cabbage Stir Fry
Ingredients
Tofu (Optional)
- 1 14 ounce package Extra frim tofu dried and cut into cubes
- 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
Cabbage Stir Fry Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce bag Broccoli Slaw or slaw mix of choice
- 1 ½ teaspoons Garlic paste or 1 cove garlic, minced
- ½ white onion cut into slivers
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced or mushrooms of choice
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 Tablespoon Low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari
- 2 Tablespoons Hoisin sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Rice vinegar
Instructions
- Begin by heating a large pan, or preferably a Wok, on medium high heat.
- The pan should be hot before adding the garlic and onion.
- Saute until the onion is translucent; then add the mushrooms and ginger.
- Toss until the mushrooms are golden brown.
- Then, add the shredded carrots.
- In the meantime, combine the rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce in a small measuring cup and whisk together; set aside.
- Now add the bagged cabbage salad.
- Again, toss the cabbage mixture until the cabbage darkens in color. This only takes a few minutes.
- Add the green onions and toss one more time.
- The secret to perfect stir fry is adding the sauce LAST!
- Top with tofu if using.
Tofu Optional
- If using extra-firm tofu, it does not need to be pressed. Dry it off, and cut it into identical-sized cubes.
- Mix the marinade ingredients in a dish.
- Add the tofu pieces, and place a top on the container.
- Shake the tofu pieces in the marinade, and refrigerate overnight or at least an hour.
- Air Fry at 390 degrees for 12 minutes or bake the tofu at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Notes
- If using tofu, prep it the day before; the longer it marinates, the more flavor it has.
- Choose your favorite cabbage blend or cut your own cabbage if you prefer not to use a prepared bag.
- This recipe has very little sauce, because it doesn't need more. It goes a long way.
- Do not overcook the cabbage. It only takes a few minutes on medium-high. The trick is to allow it to cook, then toss and repeat.
- The color of the cabbage changes to a brighter color, indicating it is done.
- Do a taste test; the cabbage should be warm, crunchy, and delicious.
- The secret to great stir-fry is to add the sauce after the stir-fry is done cooking.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Comments
No Comments