10 Ways to Cook with Cabbage

I didn’t know there were such things as “vegetable of the year”, but I was so happy when I found out cabbage is one of the vegetables for 2026. It must be the Slavic in me, because I always have cabbage in my fridge.

Growing up in Ukraine, my family grew them and almost always had a head of cabbage in the kitchen. It was a key ingredient in our house. There’s so many dishes to make with cabbage, and I can’t help but love how good I feel whenever I eat a cabbage-filled dish. You can make so many dishes, but here are my top 10 cabbage recipes to get you started.

10 Cabbage Recipes

1. Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls

These cabbage rolls (also known as “halupki”, “golubtsi”, or “holubtsi”) are my grandma’s recipe. Every Slavic family has their own version of cabbage rolls, but if you need somewhere to start, this recipe is a great place to begin.

2. Crispy Roasted Cabbage Steaks

If you want a side that’s like a salad, but a little different, these cabbage steaks are it. The crispy savory bacon taste is a must to complement the cabbage. And if you want a more tender, Slavic version of roasted cabbage, try my mom’s roasted cabbage wedges.

3. Purple Cabbage Salad

Purple/red cabbage, tomatoes, olives, and onions are the stars of this crispy salad. Add the tangy vinegar-y dressing and your tastebuds will sing! To make things crazy easy, use a mandoline slicer when shredding the cabbage.

4. Green Cabbage & Cucumber Salad

Green green green is the theme of this salad. Cucumbers, green cabbage, dill, and green onions are the main ingredients here. The tangy white vinegar dressing is back again to shine brightly, too.

5. Piroshky with Cabbage

Did you know it took me eight years of marriage to get the courage to make these piroshky (my husband’s favorite treat?). I don’t know why — they’re not hard and the golden brown result is so crazy good. I like to fill mine with cabbage, or if I’m feeling more protein, this recipe has an option for a meat filling, too.

6. Braised Cabbage with Chicken

This pan-braised cabbage with chicken recipe is like chicken fried rice, except instead of rice, I use cabbage and sauté it all in a large skillet. This meal is full of veggies, protein, and nutrient-dense (all with very little carbs). It’s the sautéed cabbage recipe we all look for when trying to find a low-calorie meal.

7. Cabbage Roll Soup

Cabbage roll soup is an offshoot of the traditional cabbage roll recipe (or “halupki”), but in soup form! That means less work, but still the same great flavor.

8. Borscht

Did you know the classic Eastern European borscht is made with cabbage? It’s also packed with beef, potatoes, and more veggies. No wonder it’s a weekly rotation item in most Slavic households. This is the time to make your quality soup pot shine!

9. Quick Overnight Sauerkraut

This sauerkraut is so colorful and crunchy – I love it so much. It’s really easy to make and takes 24 hours to get to optimal flavor, though you can enjoy it sooner if you want, too!

10. Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls

Are you eyeing the Ukrainian cabbage roll recipe, but you’re vegetarian (or maybe just prefer to not use meat)? These cabbage rolls are vegetarian with carrots, onions, and cabbage. No meat, no problem!

More Cabbage Recipes

• Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks – Old-bay seasoned crispy cabbage steaks
• Quick & Easy Curtido – Pickled cabbage “coleslaw”
• Pickled Cabbage – Sweet and tangy pickled vegetables
• Egg Roll in a Bowl – Super easy version of egg rolls