THE BEST Cabbage Stir Fry

If you've been skeptical about cabbage, this Asian Cabbage Stir Fry might just change your mind.

While raw cabbage can often be a bit bitter, this stir fry transforms it into something extraordinary.

cabbage stir fry with veggies and eggs and soy sauce.

Craving more cabbage recipes? Try our cabbage steaks, chicken and cabbage dinner, low-carb cabbage taco skillet and air fryer cabbage a try.

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Why You'll Love This Asian Cabbage Stir Fry

💖 As the cabbage caramelizes and melds with the other ingredients, it becomes tender, lightly sweet, and irresistibly flavorful.

💖 For those who love low-carb dishes, you'll find that the thin strands of cabbage, twirled on a fork, bear a striking resemblance to noodles.

This dish is so satisfying on its own that you might just forget about the sides entirely!

Tip: Cut the cabbage into thin strips, about ½ inch thick. The strips might be long, but they'll shrink during cooking.

Ingredients

Green Cabbage - The star of the show! Once sautéed, cabbage transforms into tender, caramelized bites that soak up the flavors of the sauce beautifully. It's a low-carb powerhouse that's surprisingly sweet and satisfying.
Eggs - Beaten and cooked to fluffy perfection, the eggs add a wonderful richness and a satisfying protein boost. They create a luscious texture that complements the tender cabbage and carrots.
Carrots - These vibrant matchsticks not only brighten up the dish but also add a delightful crunch. Carrots are packed with Vitamin-A and fiber, making them a nutritious and colorful addition (discover more about carrots' benefits here).
Onions - Small but mighty, the diced onions add a touch of sweetness and depth to the stir fry. Their subtle flavor enhances the overall taste without overpowering it.
Garlic - Essential for infusing the stir fry with aromatic, savory notes. Minced garlic provides a punch of flavor that elevates the dish.
Light and dark soy sauce - These two types of soy sauce work together to give the stir fry a balanced umami flavor. The light soy sauce adds a salty note, while the dark soy sauce contributes a rich, deep color and a hint of sweetness.
Oyster sauce - Its umami flavor melds perfectly with the other ingredients, making the best stir fry sauce!
Sugar - You can skip it but the sauce will not be the same. Alternatively maple syrup, agav or honey are great alternatives to sugar.
Olive oil - Used for sautéing, olive oil adds a smooth richness and helps to achieve that perfect golden caramelization on the cabbage and eggs. Plus, it's a healthier fat choice for your stir fry.
Salt - The final touch to adjust the seasoning. A little salt goes a long way in bringing out all the other flavors and ensuring your stir fry is perfectly seasoned.

📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.

🥡 Read Next → 95+ Best Asian Dinner Recipes

How To Make This Asian Cabbage Stir Fry

Prepare the cabbage for cooking.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add beaten eggs and cook, stirring frequently, until they are scrambled and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic for 1 minute.
Add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil, then add cabbage and carrot. Mix well and cover. Cook for 3-4 minutes.

Stir in 2 types of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of sugar. Mix thoroughly and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Taste and adjust salt if needed. The soy sauce should add enough flavor, so you might not need extra salt.
Return the cooked eggs to the skillet and mix everything together.

dark sauces added to cabbage stir fry in skillet.

What makes cabbage mushy? Cabbage becomes mushy when it's cooked too long or at too low a temperature.

Overcooking breaks down the cabbage's cell structure, leading to a soft, mushy texture.

How to Cut Cabbage for Stir Fry

To get tender cabbage that cooks well in your stir fry, you need to slice it thinly (but not too thin as the cabbage will shrink once cooked).

Cut Off the Stem: Slice off the bottom part of the cabbage to create a flat base.
Cut in Half: Cut the cabbage into medium thin slices. Now cut each in half to get shorter strips.

Tips

Use high heat - stir-frying works best at high temperatures. This ensures the vegetables cook quickly and retain their crunchiness.
Don't overcrowd the pan - if you're making a large batch, cook in batches. Overcrowding can cause the vegetables to steam rather than stir-fry.
If you want to add some fun twist to this dish, try one of my Asian sauces instead.

What to Serve with Cabbage Stir Fry

Although this cabbage stir fry is fantastic on its own, you might want to add a few sides to complete your meal. Here are some tasty ideas:

Rice: Serve it with yellow rice, white rice, or even Cauliflower Fried Rice for a low-carb option.
Noodles: Pair it with glass or brown rice noodles for a hearty and satisfying dish.
Veggies: Boost your veggie intake with sides like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, pickled daikon radish for extra flavor and nutrition.
Protein: we already have eggs in this stir fry, but feel free to serve it with crispy tofu cubes or mix some tofu into the skillet.

🥘 Make Next: 40+ Best Cabbage Recipes

Freezing And Storing Instructions

To Store. Put the cabbage stir fry in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay good for up to 4 days.
To Freeze. Freeze any leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The cabbage may become a little softer, but the flavors will remain delicious.
To Reheat. Reheat the stir fry slowly in a skillet or wok on medium-low. A splash of rice vinegar will help bring the cabbage back to life.

💡 If you have leftover cabbage, learn these tips on how to store cabbage so it lasts.

Recommended Tools to Make This Cabbage Stir Fry

Wok pan or Non stick Frying Pan - You don't need a special wok to make the best stir fry - a large, deep nonstick pan works fine. However, if you cook stir fry often, investing in a wok can be helpful. I've used mine for about 10 years and still love it. Here's a similar, more affordable option without a lid.
Shark Chef's Knife.
Measuring Spoons and Cups.
Mixing Bowl.
Cutting Board.
Spatula.

More Healthy Stir Fries

Before You Head Out

If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️

Recipe Card

Julia

Asian Cabbage Stir Fry

5 from 5 votes

Try this quick and delicious Cabbage Stir Fry for a tasty meal! With eggs, crisp cabbage, and a flavorful sauce, it's an easy way to enjoy a veggie-packed dish.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Calories: 217

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

3 medium eggs beaten
½ of green cabbage about 1 pound
1 medium carrot cut into matchsticks or using mandoline slicer thinly
2 tablespoons onion diced small
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon light soy sauce or low sodium one
2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
2 teaspoon oyster sauce
2 teaspoon white granulated sugar
4 tablespoon olive oil divided
salt to taste

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4 tablespoon olive oil
Add beaten eggs and cook, stirring frequently, until they are scrambled and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.
3 medium eggs
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic for 1 minute.
2 tablespoons onion, 4 tablespoon olive oil, 2 garlic cloves
Add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil, then add cabbage and carrot. Mix well and cover. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
½ of green cabbage, 4 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium carrot
Stir in 2 types of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Mix thoroughly and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 2 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoon oyster sauce, 2 teaspoon white granulated sugar
Taste and adjust salt if needed. The soy sauce should add enough flavor, so you might not need extra salt.
salt to taste
Return the cooked eggs to the skillet and mix everything together.
Optional: For added texture, cook glass noodles separately and stir them in with the cabbage before adding the eggs.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 7gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 588mgPotassium: 318mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2837IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mg

Notes

To Store. Put the cabbage stir fry in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay good for up to 4 days.

To Freeze. Freeze any leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The cabbage may become a little softer, but the flavors will remain delicious.

To Reheat. Reheat the stir fry slowly in a skillet or wok on medium-low. A splash of rice vinegar will help bring the cabbage back to life.

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Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.

Cabbage Stir Fry: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use coleslaw mix instead of green cabbage?

Absolutely! You can swap out green cabbage for bagged coleslaw mix in this recipe.

Just be aware that the coleslaw mix might not be shredded as finely or evenly as fresh cabbage, and it may not have the same fresh taste.

How long does stir-fried cabbage last in the fridge?

Stir-fried cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.

To maintain freshness, keep it in an airtight container.

How do you keep cabbage crisp when cooking?

To keep cabbage crisp while cooking, avoid overcooking it. Stir-fry the cabbage quickly over high heat to maintain its crunch.

Also, adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice towards the end of cooking can help preserve its texture.