A Classic Vegetarian Curry Cabbage Recipe.
Yet again, this is one of those dishes that our mom couldn’t even beg us to eat as kids. There were two ways we would ever be convinced to eat cabbage (except for in chow mein) and they both included adding meat of some sort. First there’s the corned beef with cabbage and left over stew pork with cabbage. Our dad tried in vain to convince us to eat cabbage when my mom would add bits of salted cod fish to it -nah! However, this curry cabbage dish I’m about to share is superb when you add the same salted cod bits my dad would salivate over.
You’ll Need…
1/4 large cabbage (about 4 cups when shredded)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable)
1 medium onion sliced (divided)
2 cloves garlic sliced thin
1 teaspoon curry powder (your fav)
1/4 hot pepper ( I used habanero)
4 tablespoon water
* 1 tomato sliced to add some color/contrast – optional
Note: be mindful that some curry powders use flour as a filler, so keep that in mind when doing this recipe according to a gluten free diet.
Start by shredding the cabbage as you would for coleslaw, but a little thicker. Give it a quick rinse under cool water and shake off as much of the water as you can. Now heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, then add half of the sliced onion and the hot pepper. Allow that to cook for a couple minutes, then add the curry powder and stir around. This should cook for another 2-3 minutes before you add the 4 tablespoons of water. The idea is to cook the curry powder to release it’s aroma, then make a quick paste. I’ve seen my mom add the water to the curry powder in a bowl first to make a thick paste before adding to the heated oil… but I much prefer my method (don’t tell her). BTW, I used a curry power blend from Trinidad and Tobago, as I much prefer the Caribbean style blends.
Cook off all the water we added to make the curry paste, until you start seeing that it’s dark and grainy. This is when you add the shredded cabbage, the sliced garlic, the other half of the onion and salt. Give it a good stir and turn the heat down to low. Cook with the pot uncovered or risk having the cabbage spring a lot of liquid and get soupy.
I usually cook this for about 20-25 minutes as I like the cabbage to have a slight crunch to it, however you can cook it a little longer if you wish. The last 5 minutes is when you would add the slices of tomato if you’d like to give it a bit of contrast. Remember to taste for salt as we well know that everyone salt preference is different. Enjoy!
This curry cabbage goes well with both rice and/or roti (buss up shut, Sada roti, fry bake) and should be enough for at least four people. Before you go I’d love for you to leave me a comment below (even if it’s just to say hello – it’s appreciated) and don’t forget to join our chat on Facebook and tune into the cooking videos. Check on the upper right side of this page to access those areas I mentioned.
This looks fabulous!!! Is there a brand or a style or name of curry powder that is Caribbean rather than Indian that I can look for in the grocery store? I have Indian curry and cabbage on hand and may have to make this with the Indian curry but would love to try it as it’s intended.
Just made this with a few minor changes (2 habaneros, LOTS of hot curry powder, a longer cook on the onions initially) and it’s *awesome*. Thanks, Chef Chris! This is a winner.
the cabbage was so good will be in my wheelhouse for future cooking
Love cabbage, never made it with curry, will try this one, which looks real good.
Me too.
Getting ready to be a vegetarian for 2019. This is a nice add for my vegetarian dishes. Very flavorful.
This recipe is fantastic. I made it last night, doubled, and it was requested again tonight, so another session of curried cabbage is ON! We served this on coconut jasmine rice (just replacing water with coconut water!), and cooked it in the same pan that the cabbage was in, so it deglazes the curried bits and adds a niiiice flavour. Cilantro, nuts and a drizzle of sesame oil, as well as my pickled cabbage:). This recipe is going no where! Thank you!
On a budget and making some cabbage tonight, I can’t wait! I do no have any curry spice around I am thinking of using a chicken bouillon and a little turmeric for color. This will be my first time making some, but Ive been havin cravings.
Cheers
This is delicious! I’m not a big cabbage fan but this is great. And my wife wants me to make it all the time.
Excellent! My husband loved it & my chef daughter said it was pretty good, we will definitely be having this again. Thanks!
This sounds delicious. I think I will make it this weekend to get away from the meat. Thanks always for your recipes.
Hey Chris,
Looking forward to trying this recipe. Love curry flavored dishes and love cabbage. Yummmm!
Thanks for posting this.
Ro
your recipies and videos are outstanding. wife and i love the islands and cruise there as often as we can. we try to eat at real island restaurants not chains and look for spices stores. i will try this with ribs.
Thanks for the recipe, turned out great!
Excellent recipe! Love all your recipes Chris. Some days I have no idea what to cook and you make it so much easier :)))
Thank you!
Loving your recipes! I have tried many and they all come out amazing. Will try this tonight. I did your oven roasted curry chicken and the husband loved it!! Instead of yogurt I used sour cream.
It is only 7:00 in the morning but I can not wait to try this for dinner tonight.
Thanks.
Great recipes. Will buy your book soon to give support. Your style of recipes give me ideas to implement or compliments my urban/ital/ soul food / Indian style of cooking. It would be real nice to see a meal of some sort from start to finish—measuring the spices and exact visible cook time. Lol um I know that’s not possible. Appreciate ya much.
Your fried bodi was Delicious. I will try this cabbage tomorrow. Thank you.
Simple and delicious! My new favorite way to eat cabbage. This is the second recipe I tried from your site, and I can’t wait to try more.
Simple and delicious! My new favorite way to eat cabbage. Thid is the second recipe I tried from your site, and I can’t wait to try more.
Thank you for this recipe
It worked great and I added it to my roti
Delicious
I made this tonight, it’s a great recipe! thank you
I love it. I normally add coconutmilk which i also love. I think it is great on the side with my curty chicken, rice an curried eggs.
Hi,
Thank you for this recipe! I love your photos. They made following the recipe easy. I found I only needed to cook the cabbage for about 15 minutes before the onions started to brown. So delicious.
Have searched for, located and produced your method of making a great curry paste for one of my favourite vegetables, cabbage. I’ve used your method about a dozen times already and cannot find one I like more. Thank you.
As a slight addition to your recipe, in the final five minutes or so of cooking, I throw in a handful of raisins or sultanas, something my mother used to do.
Regards,
Steve G.
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks! Kale and collards, and spinach are my usual go-to greens, but I’ve been trying to increase variety of fruits & vegetables without increasing my grocery bill. Cabbage is certainly affordable, but I find it needs a lot of added flavor before I want to eat it! This recipe looks perfect!
Hi Chris, Thank you so much once again. A while back I tried this recipe as a side to my meal. This was very tasty and good. My kids loved it so much. Chris you are awesome I have been using your site daily and any time I may miss a simple ingredient I find the time to get it from the store for I don’t want to miss anything at all. I do it the way you teach and my lap top is always on the kitchen counter with me while cooking. My husband told me he is going to get me a book and I cant wait. He don’t know it yet but it will be the best gift ever. I see the happiness from my husband and kids. Thanks.
Great Recipe!
Substituted clove spiced jalapenos for the habanero.
The contrast was just right… for me.
Thanks for the recipe Chris. I love Cabbage and more so I love Curry. My mom and kids always tell me that I must be Indian or Trini because I love curry so. I will try it tonight and I already know I’m going to enjoy this.
Looks so good. Def going to try and make this today. I’m Guyanese and never had this before. Yum.
Hi Chris:
I want to start eating vegetarian meals on a consistent basis. However, I often do not know what to cook. I am happy to know that you have so many choices from which I can choose. Thanks for all the effort you put into providing delicious recipes for not only meat lovers but those wanting to go vegetarian as well.
Lovely recipe. I am a vegetarian and love it. I sometimes add other vegetables like carrots and christophine.
Thanks for the great recipes. My husband’s family is from Trinidad, and it’s nice being able to cook things for him that remind him of home. I get to experience these flavor combinations for the first time, and my husband and kids LOVE everything I have made from your site so far. Whenever I cook something amazing like this cabbage I’ll be trying this week, my kids always say our house smells like grandma’s! Thanks!
good recipe
I bought two cabbages and made on thr traditional southern way. I like this better, as the traditional way leaves me wanting a whole lotta seasoning!
Thank you much!
Hey Chris, once again awesome recipes!! I make this minus the curry fry the hell out of it and eat it with bread. Yummo, thanks for sharing! Keep up the great recipes!
Thanks. This is simple and looks easy to make. I had a cabbage and was trying to do something different. Will try this tonight. Should be a good addition to a potluck
I used this recipe as a base for what I eventually created! We added chopped kale along with the cabbage(we used red and green cabbage), doubled the curry powder(massaman) and left out the hot pepper since we didn’t have any. After it had cooked down (about 10-15mins from adding cabbage&kale), we sprinkle a handful of fresh cilantro(coriander) on top, sour cream, grated cheese and halved cherry tomatoes! 🙂 It was so delicious! Especially when we put it in a rye wrap! Will put this one in the recipe book for sure! 😀
You just inspired me because I had a cabbage but I didn’t know what to do with it. Now I am going to make it. Thanks a lot! 🙂
Looking forward to try this tomorrow:) thanks a lot!!
Just made this, and it was fabulous. Used cracked red pepper spice since I had it on hand, and the dish came out nice and hot but smooth. Love cabbage cooked right!
I made this today, substituting one jalapeno for the habenero, and used east Indian yellow curry powder. I also tossed in about a half cup of frozen green peas for the last 5-8 minutes. It came out just fantastic. Thanks for posting.
very good
Tried this recipe and added yellow, red, orange sweet peppers and a little green pepper. Delicious!!!
Great Site as usual. Never had cabbage done like this but I would definitely try it.
Just what I was looking for. Sounds great, and a perfect post-thanksgiving dish.
I use curry at least twice a week and the curry cabbage is a winner and carries itself.
I used to live in trinidad and tobago! love all ur recipes.. just wish I could make the sada or the bussupshut…. I haven’t gone through all of your recipes but you should post a “saltfish” dish.. we used to have them for breakfast with sada.
I miss TRINIDAD food (especially doubles!)
thanx for the recipe!
Thank you for this delicious recipe!! We loved it!!
I will try this recipe this weekend! I love trying new dishes.
Rather chilly tonight in South Africa – not our normal weather at the coast…so ideal weather for this curried cabbage! Thanks
Just made this tonight, very nice. I added raisins at the end which was super! Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you for tip re curry powder
Hello,
I’m going to try your recipe soon…I bet it will be very tasty.
Thank you.
Its superb. I tried for first time. It’s excellent. Everyone in my home liked it. Thank u very much.
I started cooking this dish a few minutes before the rest of the family came in, in the middle of it they come in saying “whats that smell?!?” In a negative tone, I ignored them, when it was ready i only served myself, then my dad tasted it and then served himself, then my sister said, “mmm i want more”. It was a success!! Thanks 🙂
Chris your dishes always look so appetizing and simple to make with your step by step directions. Thanks for the recipes.
Making this for dinner tonight using purple cabbage, onion and green pepper. Substituting coconut oil as well as adding a little pork sausage. Not 100% vegetarian but my boys like meat. Hope they like it!
HI,
Just cooked this 🙂 had with rice and peas 🙂 yummy yum……
I had a curly savoy cabbage in the fridge. I also added some cumin seed to the oil at the beginning. Fantastic.
I just made this dish and it was delicious. I made a slight modification and added some apple juice and served it with a dab of sour cream! Delicious. Thanks got sharing.
Going to make this tonight, as my family has gotten bored of my standard curried cabbage recipe. This is similar but hopefully different enough that it will spark their tastebuds again. I will add tiny carrot coins with the cabbage for contrast. Thanks!
This is now a regular meal in our household. We go a bit heavier on the curry and habanero but this is really fantastic. Thank you!
Made this two nights in a row. Superb. and very delicious.
i just read and started now. nice tip, hope to post manymore
Thanks for all your cooking tips Chris! You are amazing :)- Cindy
hi. great recipe very authentic. i added a bit more than a teaspoon closer to a tablespoon of curry though and potatoes and carrots as well.
I make this recipe but I add potatoes and you can eat this as a substitute for chatagne! Taste great!
Great recipe very tasty 🙂 Thanks
I swapped habanero for 1 jalepeno and second half of onion for sliced apple…..delicious! I even caught my husband (who claims to dislike cabbage) eating it right out of the pan.
Thanks Chris, I will try this one.
Hi Chris, I have made your recipe twice substituting dried chili peppers(2 when doubled). Even though I doubled it, it was only enough for two people when I put it over quinoa as a main dish. (Delicious by the way.) I Love the flavors and will make this a regular dish for our family! Thank you for sharing.
This recipe is fantastic !
Served with just grilled fish.
Thank you .
I was looking for a cabbage recipe and came upon this one. The ingredients sounded like it should taste good and i already had all of the ingredients in my pantry and refrigerator. So I prepared it, cooked it, tasted it and I liked what I tasted. Very good!
Hi Chris.
This looks delicious! I made a version of this some time ago but never thought to use meat. hmm….
thank bunches
Just finished everything except about the tomatoes, smells great.
Thanks
yum. i'm particularly interested in your vegetarian recipes.
Really good if you add some fry pieces of chicken while cooking. Instead of curry flavour, you can also make it a stew (stew cabbage with chicken or beef).
Thanks for the yummy recipe Chris. This is my first attempt at cooking vegetarian food and it worked a treat. We are using it as a side dish for vege meat tacos! Yum
Thanks
Hey man – Thank you!
This takes me back to being a kid again . . . and yes – I'm cooking it for my children now.
I tried it for dinner; paired it with curried lentil with coconut milk and nann bread. For extra color, I added red cabbage instead of tomatoes; it turned out really good! Thanks for sharing.
Chris, Thank you so much for this recipe! My family loved it for dinner tonight and I made it with the Sada Roti recipe, although they did not turn out quiet as good. Maybe with some more practice.
Thanks again for a delicious and very healthy recipe 🙂
Great recipe! Served it with rice. Thanks!!
Gonna try this now.
Looks good – cabbage is always a favorite. Inexpensive, nutritious and tasty!
I like the way you simplify the dishes and make them so easy to understand
Sooooo Good! Chris you are the greatest and thanks for all of your wonderful recipes…
I was looking for something to do with some left over cabbage in my fridge.I will it and tell you how it went.
Going to make with roasted chicken for supper tonight. I'll let you know the outcome.
Great way to try cabbage …..can't wait to try this recipe
I never thought of this….will try it this week
Wow Chris this looks awesome thanks for sharing!
Hey Chris^_^
i just made this, but i added salt fish & a little masala! Sooo delicous, Thank you!
This was delicious. I made it tonight and the whole family loved it. Thank you for the recipe.
thank you for this I usaully do the same thing minus the curry, so I would most definitely be trying this recip
good way to use cabbage in a different way … thanks a lot for posting and i do try most of the recipes. xxxxx
I am going to try this recipe tomorrow for lunch. Thank you.