Sautéed Napa Cabbage

This quick and easy sautéed napa cabbage with soy garlic and sesame sauce is a flavor-packed side dish perfect for Asian-inspired meals or a light vegetarian dinner.

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

I love this Napa cabbage recipe featuring tender-crisp Chinese cabbage (or wombok) sautéed and drizzled with a savory, tangy savory sauce. It’s quick, easy, flavorful and healthy – ticks all my boxes!

The caramelized edges of the cabbage bring a hint of sweetness, perfectly balanced by the salty umami of soy sauce and the nutty aroma of sesame oil. At around 100 calories per serving, it’s a light yet satisfying side dish option.

You can serve it alongside your favorite Asian dishes or over rice with tofu for a wholesome vegetarian meal. I love it b

👩‍🍳 What is Napa Cabbage? Napa cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage or Wombok, is a leafy green vegetable with tender, elongated leaves. Unlike regular cabbage, it has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a delicate texture that works well in stir-fries, soups, and salads. Its versatility makes it a staple in many Asian cuisines. This cabbage is low in calories and rich in vitamins C and K, folate, calcium, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a nutrient-packed addition to your diet.

👩‍🍳 For more napa cabbage recipes check out this cabbage slaw salad, this chicken Napa cabbage stir-fry recipe, or this easy ginger sesame chicken salad. Check out my guide to Asian vegetables.

What You’ll Need

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

• Napa cabbage: The star of the dish, offering a tender texture and sweet flavor. You can use wedges of white cabbage instead.
• Olive oil: For pan-frying the cabbage. You can swap for coconut oil, avocado oil, or even butter or ghee. If you want a more neutral tasting oil, use peanut oil but I prefer healthier olive oil in cooking.
• Sauce components: Soy sauce for salty umami (Tamari or coconut aminos are also fine here), Mirin for subtle sweetness and depth (or substitute with a mix of rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar), sesame oil for a nutty aroma, garlic for a punch of flavor, lemon juice to add brightness.
• Garnishes: Sesame seeds and spring onions or chives for crunch and freshness. These are optional.

How To Make Sautéed Napa Cabbage

Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to make this Napa cabbage recipe.

• Prep the cabbage: Quarter the Napa cabbage lengthwise.
• Mix the sauce: Combine soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
• Cook the cabbage: Heat olive oil in a pan and sear the cabbage quarters for 2 minutes per side with the lid on.
• Add the sauce: Flip the cabbage, drizzle with the sauce, and let it caramelize for 30 seconds.
• Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions or chives.

Watch The Video

Recipe Tips

• Adjust the cooking time for your desired texture—shorter for crisp cabbage, longer for tender.
• For a spicy kick, add chili sauce or Sriracha to the sauce.
• Include minced ginger for an extra aromatic twist.
• Experiment with garnishes like toasted peanuts or crispy shallots.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine or brown rice, or as a side with chicken curry or grilled chicken (try it with my Gochujang chicken or chicken karaage), salmon (like these Asian salmon bites), Mongolian shrimp, or tofu for a complete meal (try my lemongrass tofu curry).

Or serve with a bowl of miso soup or dumplings for an Asian-inspired feast.