40 Cozy Cabbage Recipes from Grandma (2024)

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40 Cozy Cabbage Recipes from Grandma (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Aug. 21, 2023

    Keep the winter blues away with these classic cabbage recipes that are sure to warm your bones.

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    This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama. Looking for a dairy-free recipe? Learn how to make vegan cabbage rolls.

    Cabbage and Beef Soup

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    When I was a little girl, I helped my parents work the fields of their small farm. Lunchtime was always a treat when Mother picked fresh vegetables from the garden and simmered them in her big soup pot. We loved making this delicious recipe. —Ethel Ledbetter, Canton, North Carolina

    Colcannon Potatoes

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    Every Irish family has its own colcannon recipe, since it's a classic potato and cabbage dish. My recipe comes from my father's family in Ireland. It's part of my St. Patrick's Day menu, along with lamb chops, carrots and soda bread. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

    Slow-Cooker Golombki

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    I modified my mom's classic Polish dish to fit my hectic life. Instead of boiling the cabbage and then filling it with beef, I just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker. It's much easier and tastes just as delicious. —Mary Walker, Clermont, Florida

    Fried Cabbage

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    Taste of Home

    When I was young, my family grew our own cabbages. It was fun to put the cabbage to use in the kitchen, just as I did with this comforting side. With potatoes, deviled eggs and cornbread, fried cabbage tastes like home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

    Fun fact: did you know that some eat fried cabbage on New Year’s day to bring in wealth and prosperity to the new year?

    Favorite Corned Beef and Cabbage

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    It may be the most famous dish to eat on St. Patrick's Day, but this Irish-American corned beef recipe is a favorite at our table all year long. This is how to make corned beef and cabbage. —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey

    Beet Borscht

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    My mother used to make this hearty soup from her garden's bountiful crop of beets and other vegetables. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington

    Classic Cabbage Rolls

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    I’ve always enjoyed cabbage rolls but didn’t make them since most methods were too complicated. This recipe is fairly simple and results in the best cabbage rolls. My husband, Sid, requests them often. They’re terrific to share at gatherings with our children and grandchildren. —Beverly Zehner, McMinnville, Oregon

    Sauerbraten Soup

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    Sauerbraten and soup are both family favorites. This combines the two, without the long marinating time the traditional beef dish requires. You can substitute spaetzle or gnocchi for the egg noodles. —Jennifer Yerkes, Franklin Square, New York

    German-Style Cabbage and Beans

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    Taste of Home

    This is one of my greatest hits for a potluck dish at church suppers. If you use some red cabbage, it will have very festive colors, light pink with green. It looks so pretty. —Winifred Winch, Wetmore, Michigan

    Maryland-Style Crab Soup

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    Try this hearty soup that incorporates the best of vegetable soup and flavorful crab. I break whole crabs and claws into pieces and drop them into the soup to cook, then serve it with saltine crackers and a cold beer. —Freelove Knott, Palm Bay, Florida

    Great Northern Bean Stew

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    Taste of Home

    This thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is sure to chase the winter chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

    Beef Cabbage Roll-Ups

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    Cooking up original recipes is a hobby of mine. My version of classic cabbage rolls is delicious served over rice or noodles. —Irma Finely, Lockwood, Missouri

    Cabbage Roll Stew

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    Taste of Home

    A head of cabbage seems like it never ends. Here’s a delicious way to use it up. My husband is this stew’s biggest fan. —Pamela Kennemer, Sand Springs, Oklahoma

    Kielbasa Cabbage Skillet

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    Taste of Home

    Spicy kielbasa sausage and plentiful cabbage and potatoes give this dish a pleasing Old World flair. My husband never liked cabbage before I made this, but now he does! —Romaine Wetzel, Ronks, Pennsylvania

    One-Pot Unstuffed Cabbage

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    Taste of Home

    Here is one of my favorite ways to cook and enjoy cabbage. It has all the good flavor of regular cabbage rolls, but it's a lot less bother to make. In fact, it's a one-pot meal! —Mrs. Bernard Snow, Lewiston, Michigan

    Colcannon Irish Potatoes

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    My mother came from Ireland as a teen and brought this homey recipe with her. I find that it's a fantastic way to get my family to eat cooked cabbage—it is hidden in Grandma's potatoes! —Marie Pagel, Lena, WI

    Red Cabbage With Bacon

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    If you’ve braised, marinated or served red cabbage raw, try it steamed, then toss with bacon and a tangy sauce. We serve it with pork or chicken. This is how to cook cabbage with bacon. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

    Make-Ahead Cabbage Rolls

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    Taste of Home

    I've relied on this recipe for years, and my cabbage rolls never fail to impress. As the host of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Missouri

    Chowchow

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    My grandmom’s long-cherished chowchow recipe has Pennsylvania Dutch roots. The pickled relish of cabbage, onions and peppers is tart and sweet with a smidge of spice. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida

    Cranberry-Apple Red Cabbage

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    When I was looking for something new, I started playing with flavors and came up with this very tasty dish. My German grandmother would be impressed, I think! The colorful side dish is just right with pork. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

    Hearty Sausage Soup

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    My family loves a big bowl of soup like this one brimming with sausage and veggies. We have it with hot rolls on Christmas Day. —Barbara Tilghman, Bel Air, Maryland

    Shrimp with Warm German-Style Coleslaw

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    We love anything that is tangy or has bacon. With fennel and tarragon, this is a super savory dish. I use the medley from Minute Rice if I don't have time to make my own. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

    Cabbage Barley Soup

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    Taste of Home

    My neighbor had an abundance of cabbage, so a group of us had a contest to see who could come up with the best cabbage dish. My vegetarian soup was the clear winner. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

    Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls

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    I practically grew up in my Polish grandmother's kitchen, watching Babci cook and listening to her stories. I made her cabbage roll recipe healthier with whole grains and turkey, but kept the same rich flavors I remember. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

    Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew

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    Taste of Home

    While we were on one of our small-group quilting retreats, one of my friends made this wonderful recipe for dinner. We all loved it and have since passed it around for others to enjoy—now I'm passing it on to you. —Melissa Glancy, La Grange, Kentucky

    German Red Cabbage

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    Taste of Home

    Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee

    Cabbage Roll Skillet

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    Have a happy helping of this quicker take on something our grandmothers would make. We serve it over brown rice. It also freezes well. —Susan Chickness, Pictou County, Nova Scotia

    Potato and Leek Soup

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    Taste of Home

    Full of veggies and smoky bacon, with just a little tanginess from sour cream, bowls of this comforting soup taste just as terrific with sandwiches as they do with crackers. —Melanie Wooden, Reno, Nevada

    Meatball Cabbage Rolls

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    Taste of Home

    My mother often had these cabbage rolls simmering in her slow cooker when my family and I arrived at her house for weekend visits. The mouthwatering meatballs tucked inside made these stand out from any other cabbage rolls I've tried. —Betty Buckmaster, Muskogee, Oklahoma

    Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage

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    Taste of Home

    Passed down through generations, this robust corned beef and cabbage recipe is requested often in our house. The Irish stout adds excellent richness to the corned beef. Just throw the ingredients together in the slow cooker and let them simmer until delicious! —Karin Brodbeck, Red Hook, New York

    Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli

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    This chunky soup is good to the last spoonful. It's my go-to recipe because it's so hearty and we all always want more. —Penny Novy, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

    Cabbage Roll Casserole

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    I layer cabbage with tomato sauce and ground beef lasagna-style to create a hearty casserole that tastes like cabbage rolls but without all the work. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia

    Soup-Bowl Cabbage Rolls

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    This fabulous alternative to traditional stuffed cabbage rolls is so handy for busy weeknights. It warms you up from head to toe. —Terri Pearce, Houston, Texas

    Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

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    This corned beef and cabbage slow-cooker recipe is a fuss-free way to cook the traditional dish. I tried it for St. Patrick's Day a few years ago. Now it's a regular in my menu planning. —Karen Waters, Laurel, Maryland

    New World Stuffed Cabbage

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    Taste of Home

    European immigrants brought their favorite stuffed cabbage recipes to the New World in the late 19th century. Here's my take on tradition. —Katherine Stefanovich, Desert Hot Springs, California

    Garden Vegetable Beef Soup

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    This soup is my go-to healthy lunch option. It's a great way to eat my vegetables, and it's so comforting during the cold winter months. —Dawn Donald, Herron, Michigan

    Oktoberfest Red Cabbage

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    Taste of Home

    Four generations of our family have made this dish of red cabbage and apples, known as rotkohl ("red cabbage"). We love the tart and sweet flavors. —Diana Likes, Chandler, Arizona

    Hearty Vegetable Soup

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    Taste of Home

    A friend gave me the idea to use V8 juice in vegetable soup because it provides more flavor. My best vegetable soup recipe is perfect to prepare on a crisp autumn afternoon. —Janice Steinmetz, Somers, Connecticut

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    I roast veggies to bring out their sweetness, and it works wonders with onions and cabbage. The piquant vinegar-mustard sauce makes this dish similar to a slaw. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

    Originally Published: February 18, 2022

    40 Cozy Cabbage Recipes from Grandma (41)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    40 Cozy Cabbage Recipes from Grandma (2024)

    FAQs

    Why do you put baking soda in cabbage? ›

    Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

    Why are my stuffed cabbage rolls tough? ›

    If your cooked cabbage is tough, it's likely because the cabbage is not cooked through yet. Continue to cook the rolls until they're tender. It's also important to make sure you let the rolls rest after they're finished baking.

    What ethnicity is stuffed cabbage? ›

    Stuffed cabbage rolls are a popular Polish dish. Pork and beef mixed with rice or barley are nestled in a cabbage leaf and cooked in the oven or on the stove until tender.

    How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy? ›

    Giving sliced wedges of cabbage a quick roasting session in the oven will help them to caramelize and get nice and crispy. Instead of getting soggy and overcooked, the cabbage will have a nice crisp texture and a more complex flavor than raw cabbage. You can also infuse cabbage with tons of flavor by braising it.

    Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›

    Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage.

    What is the disadvantage of using baking soda to vegetables? ›

    This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C.

    Is it better to freeze or boil cabbage for cabbage rolls? ›

    If you want to make stuffed cabbage leaves, you don't have to cook the leaves to make them pliable. It's a lot easier just to freeze the cabbage—an added benefit is it doesn't stink up your house.

    Can you overcook cabbage? ›

    The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it.

    Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

    What country eats the most cabbage? ›

    China produces nearly half of the world's cabbage while Russia consumes the most per person. The average Russian eats about 44 pounds of cabbage a year. That compares to the 8.6 pounds eaten by Americans. Raw cabbage is rich in vitamin C.

    What are Ukrainian cabbage rolls made of? ›

    Description. Ukrainian meat stuffed cabbage rolls. Made with sweet green cabbage, beef, pork, carrots, onions, tomatoes, rice, fresh dill/ parsley, spices.

    Do Hispanics eat cabbage? ›

    Cabbage is one of those vegetables that is so important in Mexican food, but rarely gets acknowledged for some reason! Shredded cabbage is a common garnish for Mexican soups and stews, as well as foods like tostadas or enchiladas.

    Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

    Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

    Why is my cabbage bitter after cooking? ›

    Overcooking cabbage releases sulfur compounds that can give it a bitter taste. Another possible reason is that the cabbage was not fresh.

    What happens when you pour salt into a cabbage? ›

    The salt pulls moisture out of the cabbage, seasons it, and leaves you with a super-crunchy texture that isn't raw or tough-tasting. Rinse! Rinse well to purge the salt. Get rid of the excess water.

    What happens if you add baking soda to cabbage water? ›

    The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid). The baking soda will turn the cabbage juice greenish-yellow because it is a base (sodium bicarbonate).

    How long to soak cabbage in baking soda? ›

    Submerge the fruit or vegetables in the baking soda water. Let soak for 12 to 15 minutes. The time will help the baking soda do its job. Swish the produce around in the water or push it down several times to ensure all sides of the produce is being cleaned.

    How to relieve gas from cabbage? ›

    Boil it. In general, cooking makes vegetables easier to digest, which can help reduce gas. To retain the nutrients in the cabbage that would be lost when you drain the water, try cabbage soup or Mexican cabbage roll soup.

    How do you cook cabbage to avoid gas? ›

    A few whole cloves added to the boiling water forcabbage impart a delicately complementary flavor and aroma and may help to prevent gas during digestion. Other sweet spices that may be carminative include allspice, cinnamon and ginger.

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