Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Ramen Stir Fry

It’s no secret that I adore homemade stir fry recipes, and this particular Cabbage Stir Fry stands out as one I find myself returning to time and time again. I’ve been perfecting this dish for years, and without a doubt, it remains in my top 10 favorite recipes from my blog. It’s truly a testament to how satisfying and consistently delicious it is.

Stir-fries are a go-to for many busy weeknights, offering speed, flavor, and a wholesome meal. The recipe I’m excited to share with you today is incredibly straightforward, requiring just 10 core ingredients and minimal effort. Every single person who has tried it raves about its incredible taste, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for families and solo cooks alike.

Beyond its simplicity, this stir fry is a fantastic way to incorporate plenty of vegetables into your diet in a fun and flavorful way. The cabbage, the star of this dish, cooks down beautifully, absorbing all the aromatic flavors of the ginger, garlic, and our special homemade stir fry sauce. Paired with comforting ramen noodles, it creates a meal that is both hearty and light.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Cabbage Stir Fry

This recipe shines with fresh, simple ingredients that come together to create a complex and inviting flavor profile.

• Ramen Noodles: Use any brand you prefer, but remember to discard the flavor packets. These noodles are primarily for texture and substance in this stir fry, allowing our homemade sauce to provide all the delicious taste. For a healthier or gluten-free option, consider brown rice ramen noodles.
• Thinly Sliced Green Cabbage: Green cabbage is ideal here for its crisp texture and mild flavor when cooked. However, purple cabbage can also be used for a pop of color. To save time on prep, a bagged coleslaw mix (without dressing) works wonderfully and yields fantastic results.
• Fresh Ginger: Minced fresh ginger is non-negotiable for that authentic, pungent, and aromatic kick. Do not substitute with dried ginger powder; the fresh variety brings a vibrant zest that powder simply cannot replicate.
• Fresh Garlic: Similar to ginger, fresh minced garlic provides a foundational aromatic layer that is crucial for a great stir fry. Aim for freshly minced cloves for the best flavor.
• Grated Carrots: These add a touch of sweetness, vibrant color, and another layer of texture. Grate them yourself for maximum freshness, or opt for pre-shredded carrots from the produce section to speed up your prep.
• Yellow Onion: Diced yellow onion caramelizes slightly as it cooks, adding a sweet and savory depth to the vegetable base.
• Sesame Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, sesame oil imparts a distinct nutty, savory aroma that is characteristic of Asian cuisine and essential for this stir fry.
• Stir Fry Sauce: This is the heart of the dish! My homemade 3-ingredient stir fry sauce is incredibly simple to make and consistently delivers an amazing flavor that ties everything together. We’ll link to it in the recipe card for easy access.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: For topping. This is crucial for serving! The sweet and spicy notes of this sauce perfectly complement the savory stir fry, elevating the dish to a takeout-level experience. Don’t skip it!

Can I Make This Cabbage Stir Fry Gluten-Free?

Absolutely! If you follow a gluten-free diet, this recipe is easily adaptable. The main adjustment needed is to substitute traditional ramen noodles with brown rice ramen noodles. While the texture might be slightly different – brown rice noodles tend to be a bit chewier – I’ve used them many times, and they are still incredibly delicious and hold up well in the stir fry.

Additionally, ensure that your chosen stir fry sauce (or the ingredients you use to make it homemade) are certified gluten-free. Specifically, look for gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. With these simple swaps, you can enjoy a flavorful and satisfying gluten-free Cabbage Stir Fry without compromising on taste.

How to Make the Best Cabbage Stir Fry: Step-by-Step

Preparing this flavorful Cabbage Stir Fry is a breeze, especially if you follow these simple steps. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking, a practice known as “mise en place” in culinary terms, which ensures a smooth and quick cooking process for stir-fries.

Step 1: Prep the Cabbage. Begin by removing the tough core from a head of green cabbage. Then, thinly slice the cabbage until you have approximately 5 cups. Aim for very thin slices; this allows the cabbage to cook down quickly and absorb the sauce effectively, giving you the best texture in your final dish. Discard the tough core as it won’t soften sufficiently in the stir fry.

Step 3: Dice the Onion. Peel and dice a large yellow onion. Once all your vegetables are meticulously prepped – cabbage sliced, carrots grated, and ginger, garlic, and onion minced – you’re ready to start the actual cooking process for your vibrant stir fry.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables. In a large skillet or a jumbo cooker, combine the thinly sliced cabbage, minced ginger, minced garlic, grated carrots, diced onion, and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. While a wok is traditionally used for stir-fries, any large, deep skillet or a jumbo cooker will work perfectly well for this recipe, ensuring there’s enough space to stir everything effectively.

Step 5: Cook Until Tender. Turn the heat to medium-high. Stir the vegetables frequently to ensure even cooking, until the cabbage has significantly wilted and the onion pieces have softened and become translucent, as shown in the picture below. This crucial step typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Consistent stirring every few minutes prevents sticking and promotes even cooking, resulting in perfectly tender vegetables that are ready to absorb the flavorful sauce.

Step 8: Combine and Coat. Once the ramen noodles are cooked and drained, add them directly to the skillet with the cooked cabbage stir fry vegetables. Then, pour the freshly made homemade stir fry sauce evenly over the top. At first, it might not seem like a lot of sauce, but trust the process! This sauce is highly concentrated with flavor, and a little goes a long way, perfectly seasoning the amount of ingredients in this recipe.

I find that kitchen tongs work best for this step, allowing you to thoroughly incorporate the noodles into the vegetables and break up any initial clumps. Everything should come together beautifully.

At this point, give it a quick taste! If you prefer a saltier stir fry, feel free to add a splash more soy sauce. Otherwise, your delicious Cabbage Stir Fry is ready to eat!

Dish it up into bowls and enjoy! This recipe makes a generously large amount, which is perfect because the leftovers are just as delightful – if not more so – when heated up the next day.

How to Serve & Store Leftovers: Cabbage Stir Fry

Serving Suggestions: This Cabbage Stir Fry is truly exceptional when served with a generous drizzle of sweet chili sauce on top. The sweet and tangy kick beautifully complements the savory and slightly bitter notes of the cabbage. To make it a more substantial meal, feel free to add your protein of choice such as pan-fried tofu, cooked chicken, thinly sliced beef, or any plant-based meat alternative. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh green onions for an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Storing Leftovers: Any leftover Cabbage Stir Fry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully in a microwave or a skillet over medium heat, making it perfect for meal prepping or quick lunches throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I add other vegetables to this stir fry?

Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, broccoli florets, or bok choy. Add them to the skillet along with the cabbage and carrots, adjusting cooking time as needed until they are tender-crisp.

What kind of ramen noodles should I use?

Any standard package of instant ramen noodles will work, just discard the flavor packets. For a different texture or healthier option, consider using brown rice ramen, buckwheat soba noodles, or even thicker wheat udon noodles. Adjust cooking times according to package directions.

Is this recipe spicy?

The base stir fry itself is not spicy, as the homemade sauce is savory and slightly sweet. The sweetness and heat come from the sweet chili sauce added as a topping. You can control the spice level by adjusting the amount of sweet chili sauce you use, or by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stir fry while cooking if you prefer heat throughout the dish.

Can I prepare parts of this ahead of time?

Yes! You can definitely do some prep work in advance. You can slice the cabbage, grate the carrots, and mince the ginger, garlic, and onion a day or two before and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. You can also prepare the homemade stir fry sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. This makes the actual cooking process incredibly fast on a busy weeknight.

More Stir Fry & Asian-Inspired Favorites

If you loved this Cabbage Stir Fry, be sure to explore more of our delightful stir fry and Asian-inspired recipes. They are all designed for maximum flavor and ease!

• Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
• Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
• Stir Fry Vegetables
• Homemade Orange Sauce
• Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
• Easy Teriyaki Sauce
• Vegetarian Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Teriyaki Noodles
• Orange Tofu Recipe
• Asian Mushroom Ramen Noodles
• Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles