14 Vibrant Purple Cabbage Recipes For Any Season

Got a head of purple cabbage and no plan? I've rounded up some easy and seriously good purple cabbage recipes. Colorful, crunchy and flavorful, they are perfect for any season.

Purple cabbage held by hands on cutting board.

I feature both cooked and raw cabbage recipes here, ranging from classics like sauerkraut and slaw to fresh, creative recipes that bring something new to the table. You'll find sides, main dishes and even a drink!

I highly recommend starting with this tutorial for how to shred cabbage with whatever tools you have on hand, because you're going to be needing some shredding skills for many of these recipes.

Since a handful of these recipes are side dishes, you should consider pairing them with a bison main course. You can check out some of these lean and tasty bison recipes for inspiration.

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Red Cabbage Vs Purple
Purple Cabbage Recipes List
Purple Cabbage FAQs
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Which Recipe Will You Pick?

Red Cabbage Vs Purple

Let's clear up one thing first. Purple cabbage is officially known as red cabbage, but it clearly looks more of a deep purple so people often call it by its visual color instead.

They are the same thing, so whether you call it purple or red cabbage, these recipes have you covered if you're not sure how to use this leafy vegetable.

Purple Cabbage Recipes List

How to Shred Cabbage 3 Ways

This isn't technically a recipe, but it's a useful tutorial that shows exactly how to shred cabbage for tacos, salads, slaw, sauerkraut and more, using multiple tools.

How to Slice Cabbage Tutorial

Ground Beef Stir Fry

This is one of the best purple cabbage recipes for dinner because it's quick, full of flavor and high in protein. In this beef stir fry, purple cabbage is one of the main ingredients, adding crunch, color and nutrients to the dish. With the homemade sauce, it's absolutely delicious and easy to make!

Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Electric Skillet Glazed Tofu

This 30-minute vegetarian dinner has a tasty, sweet, sour and spicy sauce plus a good helping of vegetables including snap peas, carrots and purple cabbage.

Electric Skillet Glazed Tofu Recipe

Grilled halibut tacos on brown serving tray.

Grilled Halibut Fish Tacos

These grilled halibut tacos are one of my favorite summer dinners, consisting of flavorful marinated halibut, a tomatillo sauce, corn tortillas, mango and crunchy cabbage. The combination of flavors and textures is nothing short of amazing.

Grilled Halibut Fish Tacos Recipe

Chicken and vegetable lo mein in red bowl with chopsticks.

Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein

Chicken lo mein, a take out staple, comes together at home with this easy recipe. It's a comfort food classic and although it calls for green cabbage, red cabbage can easily be swapped in, just like I do sometimes in this beef cabbage soup.

Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe

Neighbor Food Blog

Quick Pickled Red Cabbage

What I love about this pickled red cabbage is how simple it is to make and how versatile it is. Use it to top your tacos, salads and rice bowls (such as this kimchi rice bowl) and add tangy, slightly sweet flavor plus a touch of crunch to your favorite meals.

Quick Pickled Red Cabbage Recipe

Nkechi Ajaeroh

Low-Carb Purple Cabbage Tacos

These cabbage tacos are so pretty and fun to look at and they're a great alternative to flour or corn tortilla tacos if you're on a keto or low carb diet. I love the freshness of the ingredients and lightness of the dish. Kechi uses chicken breast suya skewers as the main protein, but you could also substitute with tofu, chickpeas, plain grilled chicken or fish.

Low-carb Purple Cabbage Tacos Recipe

Kalyn's Kitchen

Red Cabbage Salad with Bacon and Goat Cheese

The combination of cabbage and bacon is always good and with this recipe, you're also adding goat cheese plus some other choice ingredients that create a warm and cozy, low carb salad that really hits the spot.

Red Cabbage Salad Recipe

Go Eat Green

Purple Cabbage Smoothie

Many of you have probably never thought of blending cabbage into a smoothie, but it sure makes a beautiful, purple, refreshing drink that you can enjoy for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. It blends nicely with the banana and berries and for extra sweetness you can add a date, agave nectar or pure maple syrup.

Purple Cabbage Smoothie Recipe

The Honour System

Purple Cabbage Slaw

This round up wouldn't be complete without an easy slaw recipe, one of the most popular ways to enjoy purple cabbage in its raw form. It's garlic and lime-infused and you don't need many ingredients to make it, which is perfect for summertime when you want to whip up something quick for a BBQ or another summer gathering. Slaw can be made the day before, which is another bonus.

Purple Cabbage Slaw Recipe

Recipes From a Pantry

Roasted Purple Cabbage

Some people prefer to eat cooked cabbage to take down the crunch level and mellow the flavor a little. This recipe roasts it in wedges for just the right amount of time so that it keeps a beautiful color but is easier to dig into and it's elevated with a few simple ingredients.

Roasted Purple Cabbage Recipe

Peak to Plate

Purple Cabbage Sauerkraut (Fermented)

Have you tried making sauerkraut with purple cabbage instead of green? It retains its crunchiness better and looks stunning. It's bold, tangy and vibrant, making a delicious snack or topping for tacos, sandwiches and wraps, or simply as a stand-alone side dish.

Purple Cabbage Sauerkraut Recipe

What to Have For Dinner Tonight

Classic Braised Purple Cabbage

In this braised purple cabbage recipe, the cabbage is shredded and slowly cooked on the stove with a few other complementary ingredients. It's perfect as a side dish to a roast dinner but it also tastes great on burgers, cold or hot sandwiches and in salads.

Classic Braised Purple Cabbage Recipe

Chef's Pencil

Politiki Salad

This Greek politiki salad reminds me of a salad I tried once as a young child and loved it, but I never knew what it was called, who made it or how to find the recipe! The Internet was not a thing back then either. It's an interesting mixture of cabbage and other vegetables, raisins, nuts and a dressing. You let the flavors marinate for an hour or so in the fridge and then you get to dig in.

Politiki Salad Recipe

Purple Cabbage FAQs

Can you eat purple cabbage raw?

Yes! You can eat it raw or cooked.

What does it taste like?

It has a mild, slightly bitter flavor and is very crunchy when eaten raw. When it's cooked, it becomes softer and a bit sweeter.

What meat goes best with it?

My top choice for protein would be pulled pork burgers or a ham roast. Beef and bison are also a great choice because the cabbage works well with hearty meals and of course--sausages/hot dogs, such as in kimchi hot dogs, grilled bratwurst and smokies.

How long does it last in the fridge?

Purple cabbage keeps very well in the fridge if left whole and uncut, up to 2 to 3 weeks. You can peel off any wilted or discolored outer leaves. If it's been shredded, keep it in an airtight container or bag for up to 2 to 3 days. It can brown quickly after being cut.

Can you freeze it?

If it's raw, you can freeze it (in freezer bags) without cooking and then use in soups, stews etc. The texture won't be very appealing for fresh uses after thawing. Optionally, you can chop and then blanch it first, for a minute or two. Blanched cabbage can last up to 9 months in the freezer. You can freeze fully-cooked cabbage for up to 3 months for best quality.

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Which Recipe Will You Pick?

Did you enjoy these purple cabbage recipes? Which one was your ❤️ favorite so far? Let me know in the 📝 comments below. And please share the post!

Red Cabbage Vs Purple

Purple Cabbage Recipes List

Purple Cabbage FAQs

More Delicious Recipe Collections

Which Recipe Will You Pick?

More Recipe Collections

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