Garlic Butter Sautéed Cabbage (Best & Easy)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish comes together in just 15 minutes and won’t break the bank. You’ll get perfectly crispy, caramelized edges with rich, buttery flavor in every bite. It pairs beautifully with chicken, fish, or beef—or honestly, it’s delicious enough to enjoy all on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 medium green cabbage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil if you prefer)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt (taste and adjust as you go)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, but I really recommend it)
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• Fresh parsley for garnish (totally optional)

Instructions

Prep your cabbage: Pull off any wilted outer leaves, cut the head into quarters, remove the tough core, then slice everything into bite-sized pieces.

Heat your pan: Warm the olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and starts to shimmer.

Get the garlic going: Toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 20–30 seconds—just until it smells amazing and fragrant.

Add the cabbage: Add all your cabbage along with the salt, pepper, and paprika. Give everything a good toss to coat.

Sauté until golden: Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring every so often, until the cabbage is tender and you see those beautiful lightly caramelized edges forming.

Finish it off: Drizzle in the lemon juice or vinegar, toss everything together, and taste. Add more salt if needed.

Serve it up: Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re using it, and serve while it’s hot.

Want to Mix It Up? Try These Add-Ins

People absolutely love adding:

• Crispy bacon bits (because bacon makes everything better)
• Sliced smoked sausage
• Sautéed onions or bell peppers
• A generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
• A splash of soy sauce for extra savory depth

Pro Tips for Perfect Cabbage

Don’t crowd your pan—give the cabbage room to breathe, or it’ll steam instead of getting those crispy edges you’re after.

Let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two during cooking. That’s when the magic happens and you get that golden caramelization.

This reheats beautifully, so feel free to make extra for meal prep throughout the week.