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Southern Cabbage Recipes on The Soul Food Pod Episode 3

What is a good seasoning for cooked cabbage?

Cooked cabbage tastes best when it is seasoned with savory, balanced ingredients that bring out its natural sweetness. In this episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shaunda Necole explores the best Southern cabbage recipes, including classic fried cabbage, flavorful coleslaw, and simple soul food cooking tips for making cabbage taste rich, tender, and never bland.

The Soul Food Pod Episode 3 - Best Southern Cabbage Recipes

Shaunda is a cookbook author and food blogger whose culinary heritage reaches back to her great-grandmother Florence. Her goal is to make classic Southern soul food recipes approachable, easy to follow, and full of the flavor people love.

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Apple Podcasts: Best Southern Cabbage Recipes

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What to add to cabbage for flavor?

For the best Southern cabbage flavor, start with aromatics and seasonings that complement the vegetable without overpowering it. Onion, broth, apple cider vinegar, butter, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Old Bay or Cajun seasoning are all excellent choices. These ingredients help cabbage become tender, savory, slightly sweet, and full of soul food flavor.

In episode 3 of The Soul Food Pod, Shaunda shares step-by-step guidance for Southern cabbage dishes such as fried cabbage and coleslaw. She also highlights a digital printable guide for seasoning vegetables and meats, featuring African American seasonings and spices passed down through generations.

Cabbage is one of the South’s favorite leafy vegetables because it is affordable, versatile, and easy to cook. Recipes like Southern fried cabbage and Southern coleslaw may feel iconic, but they are surprisingly simple when you season them well and follow a few dependable cooking tips.

Whether you are preparing cabbage without meat, adding bacon, making coleslaw, or cooking it quickly in an Instant Pot, the secret is building flavor in layers. A little broth keeps it moist, vinegar brightens the dish, butter adds richness, and the right spices create that comforting Southern taste.

What to add to cabbage for flavor?

What you’ll learn in this episode

  • Easy and flavorful ways to prepare Southern cabbage and coleslaw
  • Why proper seasoning is the key to avoiding bland cabbage
  • Southern cabbage seasoning ideas, including onion, broth, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and Old Bay seasoning
  • Different ways to cook cabbage, including versions with bacon, potatoes, and coleslaw-style cabbage
  • Helpful tips for making cabbage in an Instant Pot or a cast iron skillet
  • How red cabbage can be used in place of green cabbage in many recipes
  • Serving ideas for Southern soul food cabbage recipes
  • The tradition of placing a dime in cabbage on New Year’s Day
  • How to cut cabbage for cooking
  • Recommended kitchen tools for preparing cabbage more easily

Where to listen to the podcast

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

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Simple cabbage recipes

Simple cabbage recipes

These Southern cabbage recipes offer a variety of ways to enjoy cabbage, from meatless soul food sides to creamy coleslaw and hearty dishes with bacon or corned beef. Each recipe focuses on seasoning, texture, and comfort.

Southern cabbage recipes with no meat

Black Folks Soul Food Cabbage Recipe

The soul food cabbage difference is in the legacy, the layers, and the love. This dish turns simple cabbage into a well-seasoned, comforting Southern side.

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Soul Food Jamaican-Style Cabbage Recipe

This Jamaican-style cabbage blends Afro-Caribbean aromatics with Southern soul, using thyme, carrots, and bold seasonings for deep flavor.

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Southern Fried Cabbage With Soul Food Seasoning

Southern fried cabbage is warm, slightly sweet, savory, and full of the soul food flavor that makes it a favorite side dish.

Check out this recipe!

Best Southern Cabbage Recipe With Soul Food Flavor

This Southern cabbage recipe is a flavorful way to serve one of the South’s most comforting vegetable side dishes.

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Southern Soul Food Coleslaw

This Southern coleslaw uses a creamy and vinegar-based dressing with soulful seasonings like dill, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

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Red Cabbage Slaw | Juneteenth Red Foods

Red cabbage slaw combines red cabbage with carrots, celery, onion, herbs, and savory soul food seasonings.

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Pineapple Coleslaw

Pineapple coleslaw is bright, citrusy, and refreshing, making it a flavorful cabbage side for warm days.

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No Mayo Coleslaw Recipe

This no-mayo coleslaw uses olive oil instead of mayonnaise for a lighter cabbage slaw that still tastes fresh and satisfying.

Check out this recipe!

Southern cabbage recipes with bacon

Soul Food Southern Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Southern fried cabbage with bacon is buttery, bold, and comforting, with bacon adding the signature sizzle and savory depth.

Check out this recipe!

Southern Soul Food Corned Beef And Cabbage

Slow-baked in a covered Dutch oven with cabbage and seasoned broth, this Southern corned beef is tender, juicy, and soulful.

Check out this recipe!

Southern Corned Beef And Cabbage In The Instant Pot

Tender corned beef, buttery cabbage, and soul-seasoned broth come together more quickly in the Instant Pot.

Check out this recipe!

Best Southern cabbage recipes FAQs

1. What is Southern cabbage, and why is it a beloved dish in the South?

Southern cabbage is a cooked cabbage dish seasoned with classic Southern ingredients. It is loved for its heartiness, versatility, and ease of preparation. When seasoned properly, it becomes a flavorful side dish that pairs well with many soul food meals.

2. How important is it to properly season cabbage in Southern cooking?

Seasoning is essential because plain cabbage can taste bland. Onion, chicken or vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and Old Bay seasoning are common ways to add bold flavor.

3. What is included in The Soul Food Pot’s digital printable soul food seasoning guide?

The guide includes a curated list of African American seasonings and spices used in generations of soul food recipes.

4. What are some popular ways to prepare cabbage in Southern cooking?

Popular Southern cabbage recipes include fried cabbage, boiled cabbage, coleslaw, and pressure-cooked cabbage made in an Instant Pot.

What are some popular ways to prepare cabbage in Southern cooking?

5. What is the symbolism behind putting a dime in cabbage on New Year’s Day?

Putting a dime in cabbage on New Year’s Day is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the person who receives the serving with the dime.

6. Is putting a dime in cabbage on New Year’s Day an African American tradition?

While it is a creative and fun idea, it is not an African American tradition.

7. How long does it take to fry Southern cabbage?

Southern cabbage takes about 25 minutes to fry in a traditional cast iron skillet. In an Instant Pot, it can cook in about four minutes, plus pressure release time.

Is it possible to substitute red cabbage for green cabbage?

8. Is it possible to substitute red cabbage for green cabbage?

Yes. Red cabbage, also called purple cabbage, and green cabbage have a similar flavor, so they can often be used in place of one another. Red cabbage may discolor other foods when mixed for a long time, but this is usually not a concern in Southern coleslaw or cooked cabbage.

9. What other dishes can Southern cabbage be served with?

Southern soul food cabbage can be served with chicken, candied yams, baked macaroni and cheese, and many other comfort food favorites. Learn more about what to serve with fried cabbage here.

10. How long is cabbage good for in the fridge?

Fresh cabbage wrapped tightly in plastic can last about two weeks in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Cut or cooked cabbage can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

What other dishes can Southern cabbage be served with?

Links & resources mentioned in the episode

  • Best Southern cabbage recipes
  • Favorite kitchen gadgets & tools for cabbage recipes

Best Southern cabbage recipes episode transcript

The Soul Food Pod – Episode 3 Transcript

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The Soul Food Pod Episode 3 - Best Southern Cabbage Recipes
The Best Southern Cabbage Recipe With Soul Food Flavor

Best Southern Cabbage Recipes | Southern Fried Cabbage

In episode 3 of The Soul Food Pod, Shaunda shares some of the best Southern cabbage recipes, beginning with classic Southern fried cabbage.
A Southern cabbage recipe is a delicious way to enjoy one of the South’s favorite side dishes with warm, sweet, savory soul food flavor.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Pressure Release Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 6
Calories: 103 kcal
Author: Shaunda Necole • The Soul Food Pot®

Equipment

  • Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
  • Cast iron skillet with lid

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds cabbage 3-4 pound cabbage, shredded
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup butter unsalted or vegan butter
  • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Âź teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Instructions for a Southern cabbage recipe in the Instant Pot

  • Cut out the cabbage core and coarsely chop the leaves with a food processor or knife. Remove and discard the outer layer of leaves first.
    Cut out the cabbage's core and coarsely chop the leaves using a food processor or knife
  • Add the shredded cabbage, onion, broth, apple cider vinegar, butter, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
    Add the shredded cabbage and all the ingredients into the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot
  • Press the chopped cabbage down into the broth as much as possible.
  • Close the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is set to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
  • When cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for at least 4 minutes.
  • Move the valve to venting to manually release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
    To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable
  • Serve warm straight from the pot, or transfer the cabbage to a skillet for serving.
    Serve this Southern cabbage recipe warm right out of the Pot, or transfer to your favorite skillet for tabletop serving, and enjoy

Instructions for Southern fried cabbage on the stovetop

  • Cut out the cabbage core and coarsely chop the leaves with a food processor or knife. Remove and discard the outer layer first.
    Cut out the cabbage's core and coarsely chop the leaves using a food processor or knife
  • Turn the stovetop to medium heat and add the butter to a cast iron skillet.
    Turn the stovetop on medium and add the butter to the cast iron frying pan skillet
  • Once the butter has melted, add the cabbage, onion, broth, apple cider vinegar, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
    Once the butter has melted, add the chopped cabbage, onion, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet
  • Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
  • Remove the lid and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes. Watch the broth so it does not fully evaporate and dry out the cabbage.
    Remove the lid from the skillet and cook the cabbage uncovered for about 15 minutes, careful not to let all the broth evaporate so the cabbage is not dry
  • Serve the Southern cabbage right away while warm.
    Southern Cabbage Recipe
  • Pro tip: How can you tell when cabbage is cooked? Carefully taste a bite of the cabbage leaves. They will be hot. If the leaves are very tender, the cabbage is done.
    How can you tell when the cabbage is cooked? Carefully taste a bite of the cabbage leaves and if the leaves are tender, the cabbage is done

Video

Notes

Southern Cabbage Recipe Card

Nutrition

Calories: 103 kcal | Carbohydrates: 22 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 2 mg | Sodium: 1384 mg | Potassium: 620 mg | Fiber: 8 g | Sugar: 12 g | Vitamin A: 361 IU | Vitamin C: 115 mg | Calcium: 156 mg | Iron: 2 mg

❤️ Shaunda’s Soul Food Standard

Created and tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food PotÂŽ in a real kitchen. Rooted in African American culinary traditions, this recipe includes modern shortcuts that do not sacrifice flavor or legacy. Every measurement, timing note, and technique is written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda, with guidance to help you cook confidently using the tools you have.