Substitutes for Cabbage: 11 Best Alternatives!

Cabbage is a versatile ingredient that may be used in many dishes. Salads, sandwiches, soups, stir-fries, and baked dishes are all excellent places to put it. There’s no need to worry if you don’t have any cabbage. In your dish, you can substitute other similar ingredients for the cabbage.

Kale, bok choy, kohlrabi, choy sum, savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Napa cabbage, celery, endives, iceberg lettuce, and green beans are all excellent replacements for cabbage.

Continue reading to learn about other cabbage alternatives you may use in your cooking.

Alternatives to cabbage

Any cuisine that calls for cabbage can be made with the cabbage alternatives listed below. They’ll taste just as good and provide the flavor you’re looking for in your cuisine. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised as some options may even taste better than cabbage.

No. 1 Kale

Kale may be used to replace various green ingredients in a variety of dishes, including cabbage. It is related to cabbage and belongs to the Brassica oleracea family; however, it is much leafier.

It’s a terrific addition to salads, but you can also use it in cooked foods. It has a more robust flavor and looks better in your meals. Depending on what you can find in stores, you can use curly and baby kale in your dish.

No. 2 Bok choy

Bok choy can also be found under the name pak choy. It’s a Chinese white cabbage that can be used in various dishes, like a regular cabbage can. You may also use bok cabbage for bell peppers. The leaves, on the other hand, have a bitter flavor. If you prefer only to eat the pleasant taste of this vegetable, you may easily remove them.

No. 3 Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is a less known but equally delicious cabbage replacement. It’s also available in green and purple hues, just like cabbage.

Because the flavor is sweeter, you can expect a sweeter flavor in your recipe as well. It may be more challenging to locate purple Kohlrabi, but it is well worth including in your dishes if you do.

No. 4 Choy sum

Choy sum is not the same as bok choy, even though it is Chinese cabbage. In truth, this vegetable is more closely related to broccoli.

It has a flavor that may readily be substituted for any cabbage. Choy is best served roasted, but it also goes well in stir-fries. Vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron are among the nutrients found in this vegetable.

No. 5 Cabbage savoy

If you need to replace cabbage in any soup form, savoy cabbage is the way to go. Its diverse flavor makes it suitable for stuffing recipes and any form of stew.

Keep in mind that the texture of savoy cabbage isn’t as crunchy as regular cabbage. As a result, the outcome of your recipe will be slightly different.

No. 6 Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts are also a good substitute for cabbage because they are easy to find and prepare. They are from the same cabbage family as cabbage and will have a comparable flavor.

Brussels sprouts, in reality, resemble small cabbage. They’re also high in nutrients and will help to stimulate your digestive system each time you eat them.

No. 7 Napa cabbage

Napa cabbage is the type of cabbage that is used to make kimchi. It is well-known in China, but it has recently earned international recognition.

It’s called cabbage, yet it doesn’t look like any other cabbage. It has golden leaves and is fashioned like a ball. It’s excellent in salads, but it’s also great in stir-fries and baked meals.

No. 8 Celery

Celery is an excellent cabbage substitute. It can be consumed raw or prepared in a variety of ways. Preparing celery is similar to preparing cabbage. The same seasonings and cooking time can be used.

No. 9 A variety of vegetables

Although endives are not as well-known as cabbage, they can certainly be used in salads in their place. Even though the ideal method to serve endives is raw, you can prepare them.

Because endives have a more robust flavor than cabbage, it’s crucial to taste them before cooking. You might need to adjust your seasonings if you use endives instead of cabbage.

No. 10 Iceberg lettuce

Iceberg lettuce can be used in many salads due to its crunchy texture. Iceberg lettuce can also be used to make sandwiches. It’s unsuitable for cooked dishes, so save it for cold dishes and quick recipes.

No. 11 Green beans

Green beans may easily replace cabbage in many dishes, which may surprise you. Because these beans have a neutral flavor, you can season them any way you like to get the flavor you want. They are simple to prepare because they may just be steamed for a few minutes. Green beans can be cooked, steamed, or used in stir-fries.

Can Chinese cabbage be replaced with Brussels sprouts?

Brussels sprouts can be used to substitute for Chinese cabbage in any dish. They have a similar flavor and can be cooked in the same way as this cabbage. Celery will also make a good substitute with its crunchy texture and mild flavor.

Remember that Chinese cabbage comes in various varieties, all of which are excellent alternatives to conventional cabbage.

Dumplings with a Cabbage Substitute

Cabbage is one of the ingredients in dumplings, a famous Chinese cuisine. Use finely chopped celery or endives instead of cabbage if you don’t have any. In most dumplings, endives will taste fine. Cooking instructions are the same as for ordinary cabbage. Choose a less watery substitute for cabbage if you need to replace it in this recipe.

Substitute for green cabbage

If you can’t get green cabbage, try a green and crisp substitute. Green cabbage can be replaced in any dish with celery, Brussels sprouts, or kale. Cook your alternative in the same manner as cabbage, seasoning it as needed.

Soup with cabbage as a substitute

Cabbage is frequently used in soups, mainly Asian soups. However, just because you don’t have cabbage does not rule out the possibility of making your favorite soup. In any soup, green beans can easily be substituted for cabbage. Adding Brussels sprouts to some soups will enhance the flavor. In place of cabbage, celery makes a delicious addition to any soup. Depending on your preference, either celery root or celery stems can be used.

Slaw without cabbage

Along with carrots, cabbage is an essential component in the popular coleslaw dish. However, just because you have cabbage in your fridge doesn’t mean you can’t make a tasty slaw. Green beans or celery root can be substituted for cabbage.

Your salad’s crunchy texture and great flavor will be preserved with either of these substitutions. They’re simple to chop, just like cabbage. Because the green beans are already in small long pieces, you can utilize them straight from the package.

Conclusion

Even though cabbage appears to be a staple in many recipes, you can make a dish without it. Try out any of the alternatives listed in this tutorial to see which one you like. It’s crucial to remember that many cabbage alternatives have a neutral flavor, so you’ll need to season them with any seasonings you choose.

You may have to try a few different cabbage substitutes before finding the one that works best for you. However, neither of the options in this approach can be considered a failure.