Learn how to make quick and easy pickled cabbage recipe in this informative post! Pickled cabbage can add a dash of crunch and tang to a variety of dishes, making it a wonderful condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator.
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Sometimes you want a side dish that is acidic and can cut through other flavors and this quick pickled cabbage is just the one to consider. Offering the right balance in flavors and a bit of crunch, it is very easy to recreate this quick pickled cabbage recipe at home. It is an excellent condiment to have on hand to use again and again!
There is just something about cabbage when it is pickled, don’t you think? The acidic flavors work well with anything from adding a spoonful to your salad, as a refreshing addition to a sandwich, and let’s not forget how great it can be with tacos. I used to buy it until I realized that I could quickly recreate it at home and it tasted so much better. So, I certainly wanted to share this easy recipe with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super quick and simple to make.
- The perfect balance of acidic flavors.
- A fantastic accompaniment or side dish.
- You only need a knife, a jar and refrigerator to prep!
- Naturally vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free and soy-free.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Green Cabbage (sometimes called white cabbage): The main star of the show. You could use any type of cabbage you prefer. Red and green both work really well. You could even use napa if you prefer it.
Water and Vinegar: This forms the brine that is a major part of pickling process. Any kind of vinegar will work—apple cider, white, wine, you name it!
Sugar and Salt: To give that balance of sweet and savory. You can use cane, turbinado, coconut or even a sugar-free sweetener if you prefer.
Garlic Cloves: Garlic can add a depth of flavor to this quick pickled cabbage.
Carrots: Optional, however, the carrots add a level of sweetness and can really balance out the other flavors. Not to mention — added nutrition!
How to Make Quick Pickled Cabbage
- Thinly slice or use a mandoline to shred the cabbage. Mince or grate the garlic and carrots (if using).
- Grab yourself a jar that you want to store the picked cabbage within. Add the cabbage, garlic and carrots to the jar.
- Bring the water, vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stir well, then pour into the jar. Let the jar sit and cool to room temperature. The longer you leave it, the more intensified the flavor becomes (and the same goes for how long you refrigerate before eating!).
How to Serve Pickled Cabbage
Pickled cabbage is extremely versatile. I love making a batch of pickled cabbage for tacos. It’s also great on sandwiches and salads, throw it into wraps or on veggie burger, just to name a few ideas!
Can I use red cabbage?
Yes. Swap it in for the green cabbage and follow the same steps. The red cabbage will turn the carrots and brine a vivid pink-purple, which looks especially pretty on tacos and bowls.
Is there anything else I can add to this quick pickled cabbage?
The answer is yes! You can omit any of the ingredients listed apart from the water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and of course, the cabbage. You can add other spices to the liquid to give different flavors. A great addition could be cloves or black peppercorns. If you like spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. You could also think about doing a combination of different cabbages or even adding onions or other vegetables into the mix. For an additional touch of sweetness, grated apple is an excellent addition, too. It is a very flexible recipe.
How long will the pickled cabbage last?
Pickled cabbage will generally last in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Make sure that it is stored in an air-tight container to keep the pickled cabbage fresh.
Recipe Tips
- Have all the vegetables you want to add prepped and ready to go.
- While you could eat this after it cools to room temp, the longer you leave it the better it will taste.
- Store in an air-tight container for maximum freshness and longer shelf life.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
Easy Spicy Refrigerator Pickles
Easy Pickled Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cabbage, green or red finely sliced or shredded
- 1 medium carrot grated
- 2 garlic cloves minced or shredded
- 2 cups water
- 1½ cups vinegar of choice I like to use apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar of choice I like coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt I like to use pink Himalayan salt
Method
- Add the shredded cabbage, carrot and garlic to a large jar (quart mason works great!). Pack it down a little with a spoon, a tamper, or your hands. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over high heat, add the water, vinegar, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil (about 5 minutes).
- Turn off the heat and immediately pour the brine over the vegetables in the jar until covered, but while reserving at least 1-inch of headspace.
- Let the jar cool to room temperature before placing the lid on and storing in the fridge.
- Keep stored in the fridge for up to 4-6 weeks. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated using a third-party calculator and is an estimate only.
This is truly a wonderful, satisfying pickled cabbage. Rich in flavor, excellent crunch. Yum!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Very tasty dish! Great feel-good ingredients (LOVE carrots!) and it’s so easy, too!
I love pickled cabbage with cold meats and so many other dishes so this is the perfect idea to make it myself.
Oh wow, this is such an easy recipe to use when you’ve got a bunch of cabbages on you!
I can’t wait to try this! I love pickled cabbage and I never would have thought it was so easy to make!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy!
This is so good on veggie burgers!
This was so easy to make and it has lots of uses. It’s delicious too.
Yum, great easy recipe! We loved this pickled cabbage in sandwiches with pastrami! Cannot wait to discover more uses for it! Might try it on a burger, as suggested next!
I made a batch and used it as a filling in lunch wraps with rotisserie chicken for the week. It’s so good!
I’m so happy to hear that!! 🙂
Love this pickled cabbage recipe. I have a few cabbages from the garden and can’t wait to try this recipe.
I’ll need to purchase a jar. What size will I need?
A wide mouth quart jar works perfectly!
I love pickled vegetables and this cabbage was just amazing. I’ll definitely be making this again!
Oh yum! This pickled cabbage looks fantastic. Such a wonderful condiment to help elevate meals. I love how easily it comes together.
Pickled cabbage tastes fantastic. I love them in pokebowls and wraps. This one is packed with so much flavour.
So much yes! I love pickled cabbage and your tips are super helpful for success. It’s so good. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Used this recipe for my sauerkraut – it was perfect! Thank you!
I always buy this and had no idea how easy it is to make my own! Thanks so much for this.
Had some leftover red cabbage that I didn’t want to use right away, so this was a perfect recipe to try! Only made it yesterday, and had a little taste – amazing! I’m sure after a couple of weeks in the fridge it will be even better! Can’t wait!
This was quite a hit when I served it at a recent gathering……I leave mine for long as I prefer a stronger flavor.
Never tried pickled cabbage before. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing
Love that I can have a pickled cabbage in such a short amount of time. I usually make sauerkraut but you have to wait for it so much longer so it’s good to have a quick recipe on hand for when I need something for tacos or a side dish.
We just recently made this cabbage and oh my goodness was it delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
It’s been a bit since I had pickled cabbage and now I’m having a craving, can’t wait to try this recipe!
So easy and tasty on some hot dogs. Can’t wait to have this on hand for all my summer grilling!
I have never made my own pickled cabbage but looking at your easy recipe makes me think I so need to change that!
These pickled cabbage was so delicious! I made some and used them on top of tacos and stuffed them into sandwiches! I loved the tangy crunch it gives!
I love pickled veggies and cabbage which makes this a perfect recipe for me. Can’t wait to make this.
I Made for a gathering and it was a hit, everyone loved it! Will definitely make it again!
So happy to hear! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
What a great recipe! I love that it’s so quick and easy, and you can vary the intensity of flavor. Cabbage is one of my family’s favorite veggies and this recipe is definitely a tkeeper!
I’ll be trying this recipe, pickled cabbage is my favourite!