Sautéed Cabbage With Lemon & Garlic

Quick and easy sautéed cabbage recipe with garlic, lemon, and butter. Perfect healthy side dish that goes with pretty much anything!

Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 📹 Watch The Video | 👩‍🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝 Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Side Dishes

Okay, this cabbage side dish might be one of the simplest things you ever make, but I promise you — it’s also one of the most surprisingly good ones.

Sautéed cabbage doesn’t have to be mushy or meh. When cooked just right, it’s slightly caramelized, a little crispy in spots, and tender-crunchy in all the right ways. I make this often and with different flavor combos depending on what I am serving it with (I’ll share a couple of favorites below), but this buttery lemon garlic cabbage is my go-to for everything.

This cabbage recipe is budget-friendly, full of fiber, and yes, it shrinks like a wool sweater in the dryer—so don’t be shy with the cabbage. Macros? About 75 calories per serving, depending on your oil/butter and additions.

Here are my other favorite sautéed cabbage recipes.

👩‍🍳 You might also like these cabbage recipes: sautéed napa cabbage, cabbage pie, unstuffed cabbage rolls, tuna and cabbage patties, or these other cabbage recipes.

What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need for this sautéed cabbage recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

• White cabbage – the star, roughly shredded. It softens but still gives a great bite. Try red cabbage or Napa if that’s what you’ve got — flavor will vary slightly, but still tasty.
• Olive oil + salted butter – buttery goodness with that olive oil base; feel free to use ghee or plant-based butter alternative here.
• Garlic, lemon zest + lemon juice – a little flavor punch, brightness, and zip.
• Salt + pepper – cause seasoning is key!

How To Make Sautéed Cabbage With Lemon & Garlic

Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to cook sautéed cabbage with butter, lemon and garlic.

• Step 1: Heat oil and butter if using in a large skillet over high heat.
• Step 2: Sauté garlic and lemon zest until fragrant.
• Step 3: Add cabbage, season with salt and pepper, and let sit for 30 seconds to brown slightly.
• Step 4: Stir and cook for 3–4 more minutes over medium-high, stirring every 30 seconds to 1 minute. Don’t over-stir as it needs a little peace to brown.
• Step 5: Finish with a little drizzle of lemon juice, and done!

Watch The Video

Recipe Tips

• Start hot, then drop the heat: high heat at first helps with browning and reduces the amount of steaming/braising.
• Use a large skillet and remember, it may seem like a lot of cabbage at first, but it will shrink down quickly.
• Leftover cooked cabbage can go into fried rice, frittata, or noodles.
• Want it spicy? Add red chili flakes to any version.
• Add protein—top with a fried egg, crispy tofu, or even leftover grilled chicken for a fast lunch.
• Storage tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot pan for best texture. Not freezer-friendly—it gets watery.
• Make-Ahead tip: You can prep everything ahead — shred the cabbage, chop the garlic, and even mix your spice or sauce combos. Store them separately in the fridge (cabbage in a covered bowl, aromatics in a small container). When it’s time to cook, everything’s ready to go and dinner’s on the table in 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a side with anything: roast chicken, garlic steak bites, grilled pork chops, baked trout or salmon, grilled fish, with grilled halloumi or roast potatoes. Throw in chickpeas and serve with cooked quinoa for a hearty vegetarian meal.

💬 If you’ve tried this sautéed cabbage with lemon & garlic or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.