How To Boil Cabbage: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Boil Cabbage PDF download Download Article 16 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

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  • Preparing the Cabbage
    • |
  • Boiling the Cabbage
    • |
  • Selecting Cabbage
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 659,109 times.

Whatever variety of cabbage you prefer, you can be sure it contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients, particularly fiber. Cabbage is a healthy, leafy vegetable that can be eaten on its own or combined with other foods. There are many ways to prepare cabbage, and a popular cooking method is to boil it. Boil cabbage by cleaning and preparing it, then cooking it in hot water for just a few minutes.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Cabbage

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  1. Step 1 Peel off the outer leaves from the cabbage head. 1 Peel off the outer leaves from the cabbage head. Discard any leaves that look wilted, worn or discoloured. It's common practice to discard the outer leaves since it is the most exposed to dirt and damage.
  2. Step 2 Rinse the entire head of cabbage. 2 Rinse the entire head of cabbage. Rise it under a stream of cool water. It's extremely important that you rinse the cabbage thoroughly as most farms use pesticides and other insecticides to keep pests and diseases away from their crops.
    • Organic cabbages should not have been grown with any pesticides or insecticides added but it's still important to rinse and clean your cabbage to rid it of any dirt, insects, eggs, or sand that may still be on your cabbage.
    • You can also consider soaking your cabbage in saline water or plain water for 30 minutes to better clean it.[1]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Boil Cabbage 3 Cut your cabbage. It is common to slice cabbage into wedges or into long, slim shreds but you can boil your cabbage in any form or shape you prefer.
    • Be sure to cut out the stem or centre of the cabbage.
    • Chop off any coarse stems that are at the bottom of the wedges you have cut.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Boil Cabbage 4 Shred or chop your cabbage into the desired shape. It is common to slice the cabbage wedges into long, slim shreds but you can boil your cabbage in any form or shape you prefer. You can also boil your cabbage in wedges.
    • Shred the cabbage on a cutting board by placing it flat side down. Slice as thick or as thin as you want the shreds to be.
    • Use a mandolin if you have one. This kitchen utensil will allow you to shred the cabbage by sliding it across a sharp blade
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Boiling the Cabbage

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Boil Cabbage 1 Bring water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. The water should be about 3/4 of an inch (1.9 cm) deep or enough to place your cabbage in without overflowing.
    • Don't worry about having the exact volume of water as you'll be draining any excess water out.
    • Instead of water, you can use vegetable or meat stock to infuse flavour to your cabbage. Use liquid stock or mix powdered stock into your boiling water.
    • A small amount of vinegar, about 10 ml, added to the water can prevent the strong odor that many people find objectionable.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Boil Cabbage 2 Add the cabbage to the boiling water. Don't worry about overcrowding your pot. The cabbage will absorb the water and decrease dramatically in volume.
  3. Step 3 Cook uncovered at a simmer or gentle boil. 3 Cook uncovered at a simmer or gentle boil. Shredded cabbage can cook for about 5 minutes and wedges will take 10 to 15 minutes to cook.
    • Keep an eye on the cabbage to ensure it does not overcook. Finished cabbage should become tender. Overcooked cabbage can release unpleasant flavours and aromas.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Boil Cabbage 4 Remove the cabbage from the pot. Use a slotted spoon, or pour it into a colander to get rid of the excess water.
    • If you've used stock to boil your cabbage, the water may be used again for soups or even to drink at its present stage.
  5. Step 5 Season the cabbage. 5 Season the cabbage. Since cabbage can be quite bitter, use salt to balance out its taste but don't add so much that the cabbage tastes salty.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Selecting Cabbage

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  1. Step 1 Choose the type of cabbage that you'd like to eat. 1 Choose the type of cabbage that you'd like to eat. Green cabbage is the most popular type of cabbage, but you can also boil red cabbage, savoy cabbage, Napa cabbage or the Chinese cabbage, bok choy.
    • Green cabbage: The classic green cabbage has wide fan-like leaves that have a waxy rubber feel when raw. It has a sweet taste when cooked but can taste quite peppery when eaten raw. White cabbage is a type of green cabbage which is a bit mushier when cooked, so extra care needs to be taken of this variety during cooking, to keep it firm and flavorful.
    • Red cabbage: It's known for its dark reddish-purple leaves and have a deeper flavour than green cabbage. It's often used for pickling and adding colour to dishes.
    • Savoy cabbage: This cabbage has a softer and crinkly feel to it with deep greens and white veins. It's high in vitamin K, vitamin C, and fiber and has a mild earthy taste to it.
    • Napa cabbage: This cabbage comes in an oblong shape and looks closely like romaine lettuce with its yellow greenish leaves and prominent white stems. It tastes much sweeter when raw than green cabbages.
    • Bok choy: A traditional Chinese cabbage, bok choy is light and peppery or bitter to taste. When cooked, the white stems remain crisp while its leaves become soft. It is also quite watery compared to most cabbages.[2]
  2. Step 2 Buy a head of cabbage that is firm and compact. 2 Buy a head of cabbage that is firm and compact. You want leaves that are fresh and crisp, not wilted, brown or marked. The weight of the cabbage should also feel heavy for its size.
    • Wilted or damaged outer leaves usually indicate the cabbage is old or has been handled rather roughly.
    • The best time to harvest the freshest cabbage is during the summer. Cabbage tastes sweeter and better after frost as cabbage is usually grown in wet and cool conditions.
  3. Step 3 Try not to buy shredded or pre-cut cabbage. 3 Try not to buy shredded or pre-cut cabbage. While this may seem convenient, cabbage begins to lose its vitamin C and other nutrients as soon as it is cut.
    • Shredded or pre-cut cabbage may also be stored for long periods of time, depleting its taste.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Does cabbage have vitamin K? Community Answer Community Answer Cabbage, like other dark, leafy vegetables, contains high amounts of vitamin K, about 42 micrograms per cup of cabbage. Cooked cabbage not only does not decrease the vitamin K content, it actually triples the amount of vitamin K in the cabbage, about 162 micrograms per cup. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 45
  • Question What spices or flavors do I put in cabbage? Community Answer Community Answer I use butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but you can also use celery or mustard seed, tarragon, thyme, or nutmeg. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 69
  • Question Can I cook wedges of cabbage in the same pot as I cook the corn beef? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. Cook the corn beef first, then add cabbage, mix in and let sit on low heat. The heat will cook it quickly. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 33
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Video

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Tips

  • Buy fresh cabbage up to 2 weeks before you intend to boil it. If you store it uncut in your refrigerator in a plastic bag with perforated holes, it will stay fresh. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 32
  • Remember that boiled cabbage tends to have a strong odor. If you find the odor unpleasant, try adding a couple chunks of bread wrapped in cheesecloth to the water when you boil the cabbage. This might cut down on the strength of the smell. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 26
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Cabbage
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Pot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Colander

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cabbage.html
  2. ↑ https://www.organicauthority.com/health/grow-bok-choy-nutrition

About This Article

Jennifer Levasseur Reviewed by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef This article was reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 659,109 times. 16 votes - 93% Co-authors: 8 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 659,109 Categories: Fruits and Vegetables | Basic Cooking Skills Article SummaryX

To boil cabbage, start by removing any outer leaves that appear wilted or discolored. Next, rinse the head of cabbage under cool water to wash away any dirt and pesticide residue. To help your cabbage boil faster and more evenly, chop it into wedges or shreds with a sharp kitchen knife. As you’re trimming the cabbage, cut out the hard stem and inner core, which are tougher and harder to eat than the leaves. Pour enough water into a pan so that it will submerge the cabbage when you add it without overflowing. For a more flavorful result, you can use vegetable or meat stock instead of water. You can also add 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of vinegar to the water to add flavor and neutralize the strong smell of the cabbage. Bring the water or stock to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then add the cabbage. Simmer the cabbage for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s as tender as you like it. If you cut the cabbage into shreds, you may only need to cook it for 5 minutes. Remove the cabbage with a slotted spoon or strain it through a colander to get all the water out. Season your boiled cabbage to taste and enjoy! For more tips, including how to choose the best cabbage, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Natalie Cvetinovic

    Natalie Cvetinovic

    Apr 22, 2017

    "I love cabbage, and you taught me the correct way to use it! I will use cabbage in everything now, you have me..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jennifer Levasseur Reviewed by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef Co-authors: 8 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 659,109 93% of voters found this recipe helpful. 16 votes - 93% Click a star to add your vote Natalie Cvetinovic

Natalie Cvetinovic

Apr 22, 2017

"I love cabbage, and you taught me the correct way to use it! I will use cabbage in everything now, you have me..." more Rated this article: Jim Bowers

Jim Bowers

Mar 6, 2018

"I cooked the ham hocks for about 6 hours. Cut the cabbage, rinsed it, and cooked the cabbage uncovered for about 7..." more Suzie Akers

Suzie Akers

Sep 14, 2016

"I've never cooked cabbage, and due to UC I can't eat it, but my husband just came home from the store..." more Caroline Wood

Caroline Wood

Mar 13, 2018

"I am 85-year-old southern lady who has obviously been using too much water for years. I bought small red potatoes..." more Cy Lugo

Cy Lugo

Oct 5, 2017

"The ease of use, and having all of the information in one place with no spaces, or breaks to interrupt the..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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