Cabbage Recipes for the Holidays: Vegetarian Cabbage Ideas for Fall and Winter

Cabbage is a great cold-weather vegetable, but it’s not generally seen as the most exciting vegetable, so it’s often overlooked in favor of its cute little cousin brussels sprouts when it comes to special occasion meals. However, cabbage is very versatile and there are plenty of festive preparations that make it a great option for the holiday dinner table.

Not only is cabbage versatile, but it’s also budget-friendly. Cabbage side dishes are a cheap and tasty way to fill out your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other winter holiday menu.

Vegetarians visiting family for the holidays often end up eating a lot of sides at dinner when meat is the main course–and I love sides so this isn’t a bad thing! Usually…but I am a weirdo who doesn’t like mashed potatoes (shock! Horror!) so it’s nice when there’s an array of sides to choose from.

Cabbage can also be used to make vegetarian main dishes, like cabbage rolls, for the vegetarians out there wondering what to make for the holidays.

Many people have had bad experiences with mushy, over-cooked cabbage, but when it’s prepared right, it’s delicious!

Salad/Slaw

Cabbage salad or slaw (coleslaw) may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cozy fall and winter recipes. After all, they’re cold and full of raw vegetables–how does that go with cold weather?

But when you consider all of the rich and heavy foods we tend to eat around the holidays, having something lighter and refreshing like a salad isn’t a bad idea. In fact, they can really compliment a Thanksgiving or Christmas spread by balancing out the heavier dishes. Plus, it’s one fewer dish you have to make on your already crowded stove.

This recipe for Cranberry Almond Slaw from Wheat by the Wayside combines cabbage with some classic Thanksgiving and Christmas flavors: cranberries, almonds, and a maple dijon dressing. It’s a flavorful vegan recipe that can be made ahead of time.

Another great option is this Apple Cabbage Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola from Valerie’s Kitchen, which is finished with an apple cider vinegar and honey vinaigrette.

Braised Cabbage

Braised cabbage is a classic cold weather side dish often associated with Central Europe. This straightforward recipe for Braised Red Cabbage from Spend with Pennies is a great option for the holiday dinner table.

I also love some good braised green cabbage, especially with caraway seeds. I like this recipe from Quick German Recipes, which is easy to adapt to a vegetarian version.

Roasted Cabbage

Roasting cabbage gives it a different flavor and texture to braising it. Roasting vegetables in general is an amazing way to add flavor to your meals.

Garlicky Roasted Cabbage Steaks from The Wimpy Vegetarian are a great vegetarian/vegan option at a holiday dinner.

I have a recipe for Roasted Cabbage with Creamy Chive Dressing that makes a great wintertime side dish:

Roasted Red Cabbage with Creamy Chive Dressing Recipe

Cabbage Rolls

Make cabbage the vegetarian centerpiece of your holiday dinner with a pan of cabbage rolls! While traditional cabbage rolls are filled with meat, there are many meatless versions out there. It’s a versatile and fun dish that’s great for feeding a crowd.

Vegetarian mushroom cabbage rolls are actually a traditional Polish Christmas dish. Poland goes pescetarian for Christmas, so they have a veggie version of the usually meaty dish. Try out this recipe for Baked Vegan Cabbage Rolls from Lazy Cat Kitchen.

For something totally different, I have a recipe for Spicy Vegan Couscous Cabbage Rolls:

Vegan Couscous Cabbage Rolls in Spicy Sauce Recipe

Pickled Cabbage

I don’t know if this is a little strange to other Americans, but pickles were always an accompaniment around the table on Christmas Eve. Apparently this is more of a British Christmas thing than an American Christmas thing. Pickled and fermented vegetables are an essential part of meals in many cultures around the world, whether it’s a holiday or not.

Personally, I love pickles and think they make a great addition to any dinner spread. This Quick Fennel and Cabbage Kimchi from Kitchen Konfidence puts a wintry spin on the famous Korean fermented cabbage by including fennel. 

This quick Pickled Cabbage Recipe from Alyona’s Cooking is another good option. It reminds me of the pickled cabbage salads I’ve had traveling in the Balkans.

Charred Cabbage

Charred cabbage…does that mean burnt? Well, sort of. Just a little burnt! Charring vegetables has been pretty trendy the past few years. Think about how good the crispy bits on the edges of roasted vegetables are: that’s kind of the idea when it comes to charring.

If you want to see what it’s all about, try this recipe for Charred Cabbage with Harissa Butter and Herb Salad from Delicious Magazine. The Moroccan flavors would really spice up a holiday spread. 

Caramelized Cabbage

As an alternative side dish to braised cabbage, there’s caramelized cabbage. Like caramelized onions, cabbage is cooked low and slow until it’s soft and sweet. Try this recipe from Cookin’ Canuck!

What’s your favorite way to prepare cabbage?

Vegetarian recipes: