This is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy cabbage! All you need for this umami-packed side dish are 4 simple ingredients and a few minutes to enjoy this mouthwatering Japanese Cabbage With Butter & Soy Sauce!
Japanese cuisine makes great use of cabbage. From Japanese cabbage salad served with tonkatsu, to yamitsuki cabbage, this nutritious and budget friendly vegetable finds its way into plenty of meals at Japanese restaurants and homes.
But one of the simplest and most addictive ways to enjoy Japanese style cabbage is to cook it with butter and soy sauce. In this preparation the cabbage caramelizes and softens at the same time, and it has become one of my favorite ways to enjoy this beautiful vegetable.
It is a staple in Japanese households because it is fast, cheap, and pairs with nearly everything from grilled fish to fried rice.
I believe this will become a staple at your dinner table too!
Let me show you what you'll need to make this simple side dish featuring cabbage!
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🍽 Equipment
I recommend that you use a large skillet (12 inch) or large wok, with plenty of surface area, to make this recipe.
Your goal when cooking this dish is to spread the cabbage out so it makes contact with the hot surface and gets caramelized.
🥘 Ingredients
Here are the 4 simple ingredients that you will need to make this easy cabbage recipe:
- Green cabbage - this recipe uses about half a small head of cabbage
- Soy sauce - the umami seasoning rich with salty and savory flavors
- Butter - I love using salted Kerrygold Grass Fed Butter - if you are watching your salt, choose unsalted butter
- Black pepper
I'll bet you can gather these together in less than a minute! 😀
So let's jump into making this delicious and simple side dish!
Now I'll guide you through the recipe with the following instructions accompanied by handy step-by-step photos!
🔪 Instructions
Begin by removing the tough outer leaves, and then chop the fresh cabbage into small pieces (bite-sized pieces).
Wash and dry the cabbage. Using a salad spinner is a great way to dry your cabbage!
Set your wok or large skillet on a medium high heat and melt the butter.
Now add the chopped cabbage pieces and toss making sure it gets coated in the butter. Now let the cabbage sit undisturbed for a bit so that the heat of the pan can caramelize the cabbage.
Toss every so often so that other pieces of cabbage can take their turn browning. Cook the cabbage for around 10-15 minutes. You may need to adjust the time you cook your cabbage depending on whether you use a wok or skillet. Using a skillet will more likely reduce the amount of time you need to cook your cabbage.
When tossing the cabbage, you'll want to strike a balance between allowing the cabbage pieces to caramelize but now allowing it to burn. So be sure to keep a close eye on it. 😀
Your cabbage is ready once it is tender and caramelized to your liking.
Turn off the heat, then add the soy sauce and pepper. Stir to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.
Your mouthwatering cabbage is now ready to serve!
Suggestions For Enjoying And Serving
I love pairing this cabbage dish with Japanese Teriyaki Chicken and some steamed white rice for a delicious Japanese meal.
It's also perfect to add to your rice bowls, and would be great for Teriyaki salmon bowls!
I hope this will become one of your favorite Japanese cabbage recipes.
You'll find the full recipe with nutritional information as part of a printable recipe card below!
FAQ
If you have any leftover cabbage, store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator, and enjoy within 3 days.
Napa cabbage will also work in this recipe! However it's more delicate and wilts faster, so you will need to adjust your timing down. If you try this with napa cabbage, it may become one of your favorite napa cabbage recipes!
Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
Here are some other recipes you may enjoy:
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Grace
Easy Japanese Cabbage Recipe With Butter & Soy Sauce
Equipment
- large wok could also use a large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb cabbage chopped (about ½ small cabbage, tough outer leaves removed)
- 4 tablespoon butter I used salted butter
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce you can add more if you like
- ⅛ ts black pepper
Instructions
- Set your wok or large skillet on a medium high heat and melt the butter.
- Now add the chopped cabbage and toss making sure it gets coated in the butter. Now let the cabbage sit undisturbed for a bit so that the heat of the pan can caramelize the cabbage. Toss every so often so that other pieces of cabbage can take their turn browning. Cook the cabbage for around 10-15 minutes (see note below about the time). Your cabbage is ready once it is tender and caramelized to your liking.
- Turn off the heat, then add the soy sauce and pepper. Stir to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.
- Your mouthwatering cabbage is now ready to serve!
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