Hey there, friends! Today, I’m diving into one of my all-time favorite veggie side dishes: sautéed cabbage. If you’ve never given cabbage much thought, I promise this recipe will change your mind. It’s quick, easy, and surprisingly delicious. Let’s get cooking!

Why you’ll love this recipe
This sautéed cabbage is a game-changer. First off, it’s incredibly simple and takes just 15 minutes from prep to plate. The result is a tender, flavorful dish that’s equally great for weeknight dinners or when you need a scrumptious side for those holiday feasts.
Ingredients for Sautéed Cabbage Recipe
- 1 small head green cabbage (about 2 ½ pounds)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar (plus more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (optional)
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the cabbage
Cut the cabbage in half from its top down through its core. Place the cut-side down on your cutting board, then slice it as thinly as possible around the core so that you have fine ribbons. Discard the core.
Sauté the cabbage
Heat a large sauté pan or similar heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add the cabbage, salt, and pepper. For the best results, keep stirring as it cooks—this step is what makes this sautéed cabbage recipe so flavorful.
Sauté until tender
Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and begins to brown.
Add finishing touches
Remove from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Taste and add a bit of additional salt and pepper if desired, or a splash more vinegar if you’d like to add more zippy and acidic flavors.
Sprinkle with thyme. Serve warm.
Recipe tips & variations
- Add some spice: If you’re feeling adventurous, throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Mix in bacon: Crumbled bacon pieces can add a smoky flavor twist.
- Make it a main dish: Stir in cooked sausage for a hearty meal.
Storage & reheating

Stored properly, this cabbage dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a pan over medium heat until it’s heated through. A splash of vinegar brings this sautéed cabbage recipe back to life and makes it taste freshly made.
FAQs
Absolutely! Red cabbage works well and provides a colorful contrast.
White vinegar or a splash of lemon juice can be a great substitute.
Simply swapping out butter for an extra tablespoon of olive oil makes it vegan-friendly.
Yes, it’s a wonderful dish to prep ahead. Reheat just before serving.
Related recipes
- For a more intense cabbage flavor in quick slices, check out cabbage roll-inspired soup with bold flavors.
- To pair this with a creamy potato, see here: creamy potato soup that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables.

Sautéed Cabbage
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and delicious sautéed cabbage recipe that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds green cabbage
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the cabbage in half from its top down through its core. Place the cut-side down on your cutting board, then slice it as thinly as possible around the core so that you have fine ribbons. Discard the core.
- Heat a large sauté pan or similar heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add the cabbage, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and begins to brown.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Taste and add a bit of additional salt and pepper if desired, or a splash more vinegar if you’d like to add more zippy and acidic flavors.
- Sprinkle with thyme. Serve warm.
Notes
- Add some spice: If you’re feeling adventurous, throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Mix in bacon: Crumbled bacon pieces can add a smoky flavor twist.
- Make it a main dish: Stir in cooked sausage for a hearty meal.
- Stored properly, this cabbage dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a pan over medium heat until it’s heated through. You might want to add a splash of vinegar to freshen it up.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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