10+ Recipes Using Napa Cabbage for Delicious and Healthy Meals

Napa cabbage is a versatile ingredient that can enhance many dishes with its unique crunch and mild flavor. You can enjoy napa cabbage in a variety of recipes, from salads and stir-fries to soups and dumplings. This leafy vegetable not only adds texture but also provides a healthy dose of nutrients to your meals.

Exploring recipes with napa cabbage opens up a world of culinary possibilities. Whether you are looking to create a refreshing salad or a warm and comforting dish, you’ll find the right recipe to suit your taste. Get ready to enjoy the delicious and healthy benefits that napa cabbage can bring to your table.

Napa Cabbage Kimchi

Napa cabbage kimchi is a delicious and tangy dish that is a staple in Korean cuisine. It’s made by fermenting napa cabbage with spices, making it a flavorful side or snack.

To start, you will need to prepare the cabbage. Cut it into quarters and salt it to help draw out moisture. This process helps the cabbage stay crunchy and flavorful.

Next, create a seasoning mix. Common ingredients include garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

Once the cabbage is ready, mix it with the seasoning. Pack it tightly into a jar and let it ferment at room temperature for a few days. After that, store it in the refrigerator to enjoy later!

Ingredients

• 1 large napa cabbage
• ½ cup salt
• 3 heads of garlic
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• ¼ cup red pepper flakes

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the napa cabbage into quarters.
2. Sprinkle salt between the leaves and let it sit.
3. Prepare your seasoning mix with garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
4. Rinse the cabbage and mix it with the seasoning.
5. Pack the mixture into a jar and let it ferment for 2-3 days at room temperature.
6. Refrigerate and enjoy your kimchi!

2) Stir-Fried Napa Cabbage with Tofu

Stir-frying napa cabbage with tofu is a quick and delicious way to enjoy this vegetable. You can create a tasty meal that’s also healthy. The crispy tofu adds a nice texture, while the napa cabbage cooks down to a tender and flavorful dish.

Start by cubing your tofu and searing it in a hot skillet until it’s golden brown. Next, add bell peppers for color and some crunch. Once they soften a bit, add the napa cabbage. Stir everything together, letting the cabbage wilt.

You can enhance the flavor with soy sauce or garlic. This dish is perfect served over rice or noodles. Enjoy your simple and tasty meal!

Ingredients:

• 14 oz (400 g) firm tofu
• 2 cups napa cabbage, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Press and cube the tofu.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear tofu for 7 minutes until golden, then set aside.
4. Add bell pepper and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add napa cabbage and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. Return tofu to skillet and add soy sauce.
7. Mix well and serve hot.

Napa Cabbage Spring Rolls

Napa cabbage spring rolls are a fresh and tasty option for snacks or appetizers. The crisp leaves wrap around a delicious filling, making them fun to eat. You can use a mix of vegetables to add crunch and flavor.

Start by chopping napa cabbage, carrots, and green onions. You can also add ingredients like garlic for extra taste. The filling is quick to prepare and packed with vitamins.

For wrapping, take the napa cabbage leaves and place a spoonful of the filling inside. Roll them up tightly. They can be served fresh or chilled.

These spring rolls are great with a dipping sauce, such as soy sauce or peanut sauce. Enjoy them as a healthy treat anytime!

Ingredients

• 2 cups napa cabbage, finely chopped
• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Optional: soy sauce or peanut sauce for dipping

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the napa cabbage, carrots, green onions, and garlic.
2. Take a napa cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the filling inside.
3. Roll the leaf tightly to enclose the filling.
4. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
5. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

4) Napa Cabbage Salad with Peanut Dressing

This Napa cabbage salad is fresh and crunchy. The peanut dressing adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the mild cabbage perfectly. You can easily make this salad in just a few minutes.

To start, shred your Napa cabbage and toss it with some grated carrots, sliced bell peppers, and green onions. Add chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.

For the dressing, mix together peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, and a bit of water until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well. Top with some chopped peanuts and sesame seeds for extra crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 small head of Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon water
• Chopped peanuts and sesame seeds for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the Napa cabbage and place it in a large bowl.
2. Add the shredded carrot, sliced bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, and water until smooth.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
5. Garnish with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds before serving.

5) Napa Cabbage and Pork Dumplings

Napa cabbage and pork dumplings are a delicious and comforting dish. The mild flavor of napa cabbage pairs perfectly with savory minced pork. These dumplings are a great way to enjoy this healthy vegetable.

To start, you’ll need fresh ingredients. Use napa cabbage as the main filling to add a nice crunch. You can mix it with finely minced pork, ginger, and scallions for extra flavor.

Making the dumplings is a fun activity. You can either boil or pan-fry them to get a crispy outside. Boiling takes about 5-7 minutes until they float.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup napa cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup minced pork (with at least 20% fat)
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• Dumpling wrappers

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the napa cabbage, minced pork, scallions, and ginger.
2. Place a spoonful of filling on each dumpling wrapper.
3. Fold the wrapper and seal it tightly.
4. Boil water in a pot and add dumplings.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they float and are cooked through (145°F / 63°C).

6) Spicy Napa Cabbage Slaw

Spicy Napa Cabbage Slaw is a fresh and crunchy dish. It adds zest to any meal. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need Napa cabbage, fresh cilantro, vinegar, sugar, ginger, oil, and chili for heat. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

In a bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, ginger, oil, and chili. After mixing, add the shredded Napa cabbage and torn cilantro. Toss everything well, so all the flavors blend.

Let your slaw sit for a bit. This allows the flavors to develop. Toss occasionally during this time.

Serve this slaw chilled alongside grilled meats or as part of a taco night. It’s a tasty addition to any table.

Ingredients

• 1 head Napa cabbage, shredded
• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1-2 teaspoons chili, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk together vinegar, sugar, ginger, oil, and chili in a bowl.
2. Add shredded Napa cabbage and cilantro to the mixture.
3. Toss well to combine.
4. Let stand for 10-15 minutes, tossing occasionally.
5. Serve chilled.

7) Napa Cabbage and Chicken Stir-Fry

Napa cabbage and chicken stir-fry is a quick and tasty meal. This dish combines tender chicken with crunchy napa cabbage for a delightful texture. You can have it ready in about 30 minutes.

Start by cutting your chicken into thin strips. Heat some oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until it starts to brown.

Next, toss in the napa cabbage and stir-fry for a few minutes until it softens. You can add flavor with soy sauce, garlic, or ginger. Cook everything together for another couple of minutes.

This recipe is not only easy but also healthy and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast
• 4 cups napa cabbage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into thin strips.
2. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook until browned.
4. Add napa cabbage and stir-fry for a few minutes.
5. Add soy sauce and garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

8) Napa Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Napa cabbage soup with ginger is a warm and comforting dish. It’s perfect for a chilly day. The ginger adds a nice bit of spice, and the cabbage brings a subtle crunch.

To start, you will need vegetable broth as the base. You can enhance the flavor by adding garlic and onions as they sauté. Then, introduce the chopped napa cabbage and let it soften.

After about 5-10 minutes, stir in your minced ginger. This adds a fresh zing to your soup. If you like a little heat, consider adding some red pepper flakes.

Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, garnishing with green onions for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups napa cabbage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: red pepper flakes

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add napa cabbage and cook until softened.
4. Stir in minced ginger.
5. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
7. Serve hot, garnished with green onions.

9) Miso-Glazed Napa Cabbage

Miso-glazed napa cabbage is a simple and tasty dish. Its sweet and salty flavor makes it a great side for any meal. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

Start by cutting the cabbage into wedges. Then brush them with a mixture of miso paste, lime juice, ginger, and sesame oil. This combination adds a nice zing.

Next, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Arrange the cabbage on a baking sheet and roast it for about 20 minutes. This will give your cabbage a warm, caramelized finish.

Serve the miso-glazed cabbage warm. It pairs well with rice or grilled meats. Enjoy this delicious and healthy dish!

Ingredients:

• 1 head Napa cabbage, cut into wedges
• 3 tablespoons miso paste
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix miso paste, lime juice, ginger, and sesame oil.
3. Brush cabbage wedges with the mixture.
4. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

10) Grilled Napa Cabbage with Soy Sauce

Grilled Napa cabbage is a tasty and healthy dish that’s easy to make. You just need a few simple ingredients to create a wonderful flavor. The soy sauce adds a nice salty touch, enhancing the natural sweetness of the cabbage.

Start by preparing your cabbage. Cut a head of Napa cabbage into wedges. Brush them with a mixture of soy sauce and sesame oil for extra flavor.

Heat your grill to about 400°F (200°C).

Place the cabbage wedges on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side. You want them to get nice grill marks and a little soft. Remove them from the grill and serve warm.

Ingredients

• 1 large head of Napa cabbage
• 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• Cooking spray

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the Napa cabbage into wedges.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce and sesame oil.
3. Brush the cabbage with the mixture.
4. Preheat the grill to 400°F (200°C).
5. Grill the cabbage wedges for 5-7 minutes on each side.
6. Serve warm.