Napa Cabbage Stir Fry – Craving a light, flavorful dish that's quick to make? This Cabbage Stir Fry is a simple, healthy option loaded with crunchy cabbage, mushrooms, garlic, and a touch of sesame oil for extra flavor.
I’ll walk you through how to make this delicious stir fry in just a few easy steps. It’s packed with fresh, savory ingredients like ginger, sesame seeds, and cilantro for a dish that's as nutritious as it is tasty.
Napa Cabbage Stir Fry
Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a side dish to complement dinner, this stir fry is the perfect choice.
Plus, it’s super customizable—add some red chili flakes for a bit of heat or try it with coconut aminos for a soy-free and gluten free version!
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Stir Fry Ingredients
- Napa cabbage - also known as Chinese cabbage or Hokusai in Japanese, brings a special texture and sweet flavor to stir-fries. Opt for a larger cabbage head for best results.
- Ginger + garlic - create a savory and aromatic base for your stir fry. Use fresh whenever possible.
- Mushrooms - cremini, shiitake or white button mushrooms work well. Not a fan? Use tofu, tempeh, or a mix of carrots, onions, or bell peppers instead.
- Sesame oil - toasted (preferred) sesame oil brings a bold sesame flavor and a delicious nutty, earthy taste.
- Red chili flakes - optional garnish.
- Soy sauce - adds a salty umami flavor. For gluten free use tamari or coconut aminos (slightly sweeter taste).
- Rice vinegar - if you don't have it use apple cider vinegar.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Cook Napa Cabbage
- Remove the stem end of the cabbage to create a stable base. Then, cut it into thin strips, about 1 inch wide. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they turn brown, around 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in ginger and garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the sliced cabbage to the pan, soy sauce, sesame oil, and vinegar. Stir well to combine everything. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Once cooked, sprinkle sesame seeds, and garnish with chopped cilantro and chili flakes.
🥢 Make Next: Asian Cabbage Stir Fry
Tips
- You can drizzle the cabbage with garlic chili sauce and plenty of green onions for serving. Delicious!
- Add protein. My pan-fried tofu is perfect for this stir-fry recipe.
- I like to add cooked ground chicken or pork to make it a meal.
- Mushroom alternative. Use other veggies or protein-rich chickpeas.
- Top your napa cabbage and stir-fry it with some crispy bacon!
- Soy sauce alternative. You can use teriyaki or oyster sauce if you don't have it. Taste as you go and adjust the amount.
- You don't need a wok pan for this recipe, but if you have one, it's great for achieving authentic Chinese stir-fry. However, a simple skillet works just fine too!
Storing Leftovers
- To Store. Transfer the cooled cabbage stir-fry into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3 days.
- To Reheat. Warm the stir fry gently in a large skillet or wok on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of rice vinegar to rejuvenate the cabbage for an extra flavor boost.
- To Freeze. I don't recommend freezing this as the cabbage texture will change after thawing.
How Do I Avoid Overcooking Napa Cabbage in Stir Fry Dishes?
To prevent napa cabbage from becoming mushy, cook it over high heat for a short time.
Stir-frying the cabbage quickly until it just starts to wilt keeps it crisp and vibrant.
Overcooking can result in a loss of texture and flavor.
Julia's Tips For Cooking Napa Cabbage
- Start by cooking the tougher napa cabbage pieces, then add the leafy parts.
- Slice the thick, tough parts of the napa cabbage into smaller pieces than the leafy sections.
- Season the napa cabbage with salt in two stages: when cooking the tough ribs, and then when adding the leafy portions.
What To Serve With Napa Cabbage
- Add a little drizzle of Thai peanut sauce on top
- Rice or glass noodles
- Egg fried rice
- Steamed vegetables
- Pan seared pork chops
- Pork tenderloin
- Asian inspired baked trout or Miso salmon
- Pickled daikon radish
- Korean Pancakes
The Yummy Bowl's Famous Cabbage Recipes
Of all the cabbage recipes on the blog, this Napa Cabbage Stir Fry is definitely one of my favorites. It's crisp, full of flavor, and incredibly simple to make.
Whether you're new to cooking with cabbage or a long-time fan, this dish will quickly become a go-to.
If you're looking to explore more cabbage recipes, be sure to check out my ultimate collection of 40+ Best Cabbage Dishes featuring both red and white cabbage. And for an extra tasty twist, try topping this stir fry with my latest favorite Pickled Daikon Radish!
Did You Like This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Recipe Card
How To Cook Napa Cabbage
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 larger napa cabbage, about 1 pound
- 2 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon ginger, minced
- 9 ounce mushrooms
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce, or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or other oil for cooking
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Handful of cilantro for garnish
- add salt to taste, I added only a sprinkle
- ½ teaspoon sugar, optional, will taste great without too
INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove the stem end of the cabbage to create a stable base. Then, cut napa cabbage into thin strips, about 1 inch wide. Use everything, including the leaves and thicker part (but not the thick base). Set aside.1 larger napa cabbage
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they turn brown, around 5-7 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 9 ounce mushrooms
- Stir in ginger and garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add the sliced cabbage to the pan along with soy sauce, sesame oil and vinegar and sugar if using.2 teaspoon garlic cloves, ¼ teaspoon ginger, 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, ½ teaspoon sugar
- Stir well to mix everything. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not overcook the cabbage; it will release too much liquid and make the sauce watery. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.add salt to taste
- Once cooked, sprinkle sesame seeds, and garnish with chopped cilantro and chili flakes.
VIDEO
NOTES
- For Storage: Put the cooled cabbage stir-fry in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For Reheating, Warm it gently in a large skillet or wok on the stovetop over medium-low heat. To freshen up the cabbage, add a splash of rice vinegar for extra flavor.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Napa Cabbage: FAQs
Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage that has a mild and slightly sweet flavor.
It is commonly used in Asian cuisine for dishes like stir-fries and soups.
A cabbage stir fry usually includes napa cabbage, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, tofu, and various vegetables.
Seasonings like rice vinegar, oyster sauce, or sesame oil can also add flavor.
To thicken the sauce in a stir fry, mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and stir it into the dish.
The starch will help thicken the sauce as it cooks over high heat.
A delicious cabbage stir-fry sauce typically includes components like soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, and rice vinegar.
You can also add sesame oil, garlic, and a pinch of sugar to enhance the flavor of your stir-fry dishes.
Karl_the_Chef
Great tips on cooking Napa cabbage, Julia. Tried your recipe last night and it was a hit. Your suggestion to add a splash of sesame oil at the end really brought out the flavor. Keep those recipes coming!
Cassie Hartwell
Hey Julia, was wondering if the Napa cabbage recipe you shared can be tweaked to be made in a slow cooker? Got back-to-back meetings and looking for a set-and-forget dinner option. Cheers!
Grace
Quick Question? Once the end is cut off, continue to chop across the lettuce up into and including the leafy portion?
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Yes, including the leafy portion yes, you can cut the cabbage into quarters and then continue cutting.
Karen
Delicious! Served with sea bass and rice. Loved it. Added some chopped peanuts at the end.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
that sounds delicious!!! glad you liked it!
Elisa
Love this Napa cabbage stir fry recipe, I love Napa and can't wait to make it. Looks delicious and easy to make. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
We love this, enjoy!
Ned
I loved the flavor and also the mushrooms were delicious! Thank you for this recipe!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Ned!
Gianne
The crunchiness of the cabbage combined with the savory flavors of the stir fry sauce made for a perfect dish.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Gianne!
Kristine
This is SO TASTY! Love how quickly it came together. I'll make this one again, thank you!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
glad you enjoy the recipe! so easy right!
Donalyn
A fantastic recipe - it has great flavor and is so easy. Great to have as an option for vegans too!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you so much!!
DK
I was looking for a nice and light lunch option with cabbage and this stir fry bowl was just perfect! Crunchy and savory - it was just what I needed!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
perfect umami flavor!
Holley
Made this last night and was delicious! I'll definitely make this again asap!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
ohh glad you liked it! enjoy!
Alison
What is Chile pepper? Chili powder or cayenne pepper..or?
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
red chili flakes 🙂
nikita
this was delicious!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Thank you so much Nikita!
Amélie
Seems super yummy and simple to make, definitely trying this month ! Thx
Julia
Thank you Amelie, please let me know what you think!