Stir-Fried Cabbage with Egg for a Budget Rice Dinner
Cook stir-fried cabbage with egg using green or napa cabbage, garlic, green onion, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and supermarket-friendly substitutions.
cabbage: 500 g / 1 lb green or napa cabbage.
Beat eggs with a pinch of salt, cook until just set, and move them to a plate.
Cook sliced cabbage in oil with garlic until the edges soften but the center still has a little crunch.
Add soy sauce and rice vinegar around the edge of the pan, then toss so the cabbage is lightly coated.
Fold the eggs back in with green onion and sesame oil. Serve over rice while the cabbage is still glossy.
Green cabbage is cheapest and easiest to find; napa cabbage cooks softer and sweeter.
Bagged coleslaw mix works as a shortcut if it does not contain a heavy dressing.
Use a wide skillet so cabbage can sear instead of steaming into a wet pile.
Use napa cabbage, savoy cabbage, or bagged coleslaw mix instead of green cabbage.
Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version if the rest of the ingredients are safe.
Add mushrooms, carrots, leftover chicken, or tofu if you want a fuller rice bowl.
Cabbage: Green cabbage, Napa cabbage, Bagged coleslaw mix. Green cabbage is firmer and cheaper. Napa cabbage cooks faster and releases more water.
Eggs: Two eggs plus tofu, Egg whites and one whole egg, Cooked chicken. Scramble eggs separately first so they stay tender and visible in the final dish.
Rice vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, White wine vinegar, A squeeze of lemon. Use only a small amount; this is not meant to become a sour cabbage dish.
Can I use napa cabbage for cabbage and egg stir-fry?
Yes. Napa cabbage works well, but it cooks faster and releases more liquid than green cabbage.
Can I make this dish without rice vinegar?
Yes. Skip it or use a little apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lemon juice for brightness.
What protein can I add to cabbage and egg?
Tofu, leftover chicken, shrimp, or thin pork slices all work if you want a fuller rice bowl.