Our Best Chinese Cabbage Recipes

January 30, 2025

Chinese cabbage is a tasty and healthy veggie that’s great for many dishes. It’s also called Napa cabbage and has a mild, sweet flavor.

You can use it in stir-fries, soups, salads, and more.

These 10 Chinese cabbage recipes will give you new ways to enjoy this versatile vegetable. From spicy stir-fries to crunchy salads, you’ll find options for every meal.

Try these recipes to add more flavor and nutrition to your cooking.

1. Stir-fried Chinese Cabbage

Stir-fried Chinese cabbage is a quick and tasty dish you can make at home. You’ll need a wok or large skillet to cook it properly.

Heat some oil in your pan and add minced garlic. Cook until it smells good.

Then toss in chopped Chinese cabbage and stir-fry until it’s tender but still crisp.

Add soy sauce and sesame oil for flavor. You can also include other ingredients like carrots or mushrooms if you want.

This dish goes well with steamed rice or as a side for dumplings. It’s an easy way to eat more veggies and enjoy Chinese flavors.

2. Chinese Cabbage Kimchi

Chinese cabbage kimchi is a tangy and spicy fermented dish. It’s made with napa cabbage, also called Chinese cabbage.

To make it, you’ll need napa cabbage, salt, and a flavorful paste. The paste often includes garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

First, cut the cabbage and salt it. This draws out moisture. Then rinse and drain the cabbage.

Next, mix the cabbage with the spicy paste. Pack it tightly into jars. Let it ferment at room temperature for a few days.

You can eat kimchi right away or let it age longer. It goes great with rice, noodles, or as a side dish.

3. Chinese Cabbage Salad with Sesame Dressing

This refreshing salad is easy to make and packed with flavor. You’ll need Chinese cabbage, carrots, and red bell peppers as the base.

For extra crunch, add some cilantro and sesame seeds. The dressing is a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.

Toss all the ingredients together in a bowl. Let it chill in the fridge before serving.

This salad is perfect for hot summer days or as a side dish for any meal.

You can make it ahead of time, as the flavors get better when they sit. It’s a great way to use up that bag of shredded cabbage in your fridge.

4. Garlic Soy Chinese Cabbage

This tasty dish combines Chinese cabbage with garlic and soy sauce for a quick and flavorful meal. You’ll need Chinese cabbage, minced garlic, soy sauce, and oil.

Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

Add chopped Chinese cabbage and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.

Pour in soy sauce and cook for another minute until the cabbage is tender-crisp.

Serve your garlic soy Chinese cabbage hot as a side dish or over rice for a light meal. You can add some chili flakes for extra spice if you like.

5. Chinese Cabbage Soup with Tofu

This tasty soup combines Chinese cabbage and tofu in a light broth. You’ll need napa cabbage, soft tofu, chicken or vegetable stock, ginger, and garlic.

Start by bringing the broth to a boil with sliced ginger and minced garlic. Add chopped napa cabbage and simmer for a few minutes until it softens.

Cut the tofu into cubes and gently add them to the pot. Cook for another 5-10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Season with soy sauce and a dash of rice wine or vinegar.

Finish the soup with sliced green onions on top. This comforting dish is perfect for chilly days and takes just 20 minutes to make.

6. Szechuan Style Spicy Cabbage

Szechuan cabbage brings bold flavors to your plate. This spicy stir-fry combines crisp cabbage with fiery Szechuan peppercorns and chili oil.

You’ll love the mix of textures and tastes. Crunchy cabbage pairs perfectly with the numbing heat of Szechuan spices. Garlic and ginger add depth to the dish.

To make it, stir-fry cabbage in a hot wok with oil. Add Szechuan peppercorns, chili flakes, and soy sauce.

Cook until the cabbage is crisp-tender.

This recipe is quick and easy. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare.

Serve it as a side dish or add protein for a main meal.

7. Chinese Cabbage Dumplings

Chinese cabbage dumplings are a tasty treat you can make at home. The filling combines minced pork with chopped Napa cabbage.

Add salt, soy sauce, ginger, and green onion to the pork for flavor. Mix in some soup stock to keep the filling moist.

Wrap the mixture in dumpling wrappers. You can steam, boil, or pan-fry the dumplings.

These dumplings make a great appetizer or main dish. Try dipping them in a sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, and chili oil for extra flavor.

8. Braised Chinese Cabbage with Mushrooms

This tasty dish combines tender Chinese cabbage with flavorful mushrooms. You’ll simmer the vegetables in a savory broth until they’re soft and infused with flavor.

Start by soaking dried mushrooms in warm water to rehydrate them. While they soak, wash and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.

Heat oil in a large pot and sauté minced garlic. Add the cabbage, mushrooms, and broth.

You can use chicken or vegetable stock for the liquid.

Season with soy sauce, a splash of rice wine, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.

Let everything simmer gently until the cabbage is tender and the broth has reduced slightly.

This comforting dish goes great with steamed rice. You can customize it by adding other vegetables or proteins you enjoy.

9. Chinese Cabbage and Pork Stir-fry

This tasty dish combines tender pork with crisp Chinese cabbage for a quick and easy meal. You’ll need sliced pork, Chinese cabbage, garlic, and a few simple seasonings.

Start by cutting the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Slice the pork thinly for fast cooking.

Heat oil in a wok or large pan and stir-fry the pork until lightly browned.

Add garlic and ginger for extra flavor. Toss in the cabbage and cook until it starts to soften.

Pour in a mix of soy sauce and broth to create a light sauce.

Stir everything together and cook for a few more minutes. The cabbage should be tender-crisp and the pork fully cooked.

Serve hot over rice for a satisfying meal.

10. Chinese Cabbage Wraps with Chicken

Chinese cabbage wraps with chicken are a tasty and light meal. You’ll need chicken breast, cabbage leaves, and some flavorful ingredients.

Cut the chicken into small pieces. Mix it with minced garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar.

Cook the chicken in a pan until it’s done. Let it cool slightly.

Wash and dry large cabbage leaves. Put some chicken filling in each leaf.

Roll up the leaves to make neat wraps. You can secure them with toothpicks if needed.

Serve these wraps warm. They’re great for a quick lunch or dinner.

Nutritional Benefits of Chinese Cabbage

Chinese cabbage packs a nutritional punch. It’s low in calories but high in essential vitamins and minerals. This leafy vegetable also offers many health benefits.

Vitamins and Minerals

Chinese cabbage is rich in vitamin C. One cup gives you about half of your daily needs. It also has vitamin K, which helps your blood clot. You’ll get folate, important for making red blood cells. This veggie provides calcium for strong bones and teeth.

Chinese cabbage contains potassium. This mineral helps control blood pressure. It’s also a good source of fiber, which aids digestion. You’ll find small amounts of iron, magnesium, and zinc too.

Health Benefits

Eating Chinese cabbage may boost your health in several ways. Its vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting your cells from damage. The fiber can help you feel full and may aid weight loss.

Chinese cabbage has compounds that may lower bad cholesterol. These same compounds could help fight inflammation in your body. The vitamin K in this veggie supports bone health.

Some studies suggest Chinese cabbage may improve eye health. Its nutrients could help prevent age-related eye problems. The folate it contains is crucial for pregnant women, as it helps prevent birth defects.

Cooking Techniques

Chinese cabbage can be prepared in various ways. Two popular methods are stir-frying and steaming. These techniques bring out different flavors and textures in the cabbage.

Stir-Frying

Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to cook Chinese cabbage.

Heat your wok or large pan over high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat the surface.

Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Toss it into the hot pan. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes. The leaves will wilt and turn bright green.

Add garlic, ginger, or other seasonings for extra flavor. A splash of soy sauce or oyster sauce works well too.

Keep stirring until the cabbage is tender-crisp.

Serve your stir-fried cabbage right away. It makes a great side dish or addition to noodles and rice.

Steaming

Steaming is a healthy cooking method that keeps the cabbage crisp and nutritious.

Set up a steamer basket over boiling water.

Cut the cabbage into wedges or large pieces. Place them in the steamer basket.

Don’t overcrowd – steam in batches if needed.

Cover and steam for 3-5 minutes. The cabbage should be bright green and slightly tender.

Be careful not to overcook.

Remove the steamed cabbage from the basket. Drizzle with sesame oil or a light sauce.

This method keeps the natural flavors intact.

Steamed cabbage pairs well with dumplings or as part of a larger meal.