Quick, nourishing, and packed with savory veggies, tender cabbage, and hearty beans, this cabbage stir fry is a recipe meant for busy weeknights. Vegan, vegetarian, and naturally gluten-free!
I am a huuuuuuge fan of a quick stir fry for dinner, and make some variety of beans and greens (garlicky white beans and kale is a favorite) a couple times a week. This super easy, very filling, and flavorful skillet stir fry will warm you from the inside out.
You can enjoy white bean and cabbage stir fry with a scoop of freshly made brown rice, piled onto toasted slices of gluten free no knead bread, or with a basket of warm gluten free honey cornbread muffins. It's packed with fiber and protein, and is naturally vegan and gluten-free!
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What You'll Love About Cabbage Stir Fry
- It's quick. I adore stir-fries because they literally take just minutes to throw together. You will have your main dish ready in about 20 minutes, which is so helpful when a lot is going on (tip: keep rice in the fridge or freezer so you have it handy).
- It's filling. A combination of vegetables and beans will take the edge off of your appetite but won't leave you feeling overly stuffed - my favorite kind of meal.
- It's a great vegetarian main! Beans are such a wonderful, vegetarian, whole-food option, and I rely on them to make sure I meet my plant-based protein needs! (Check out my vegetarian white bean chili for another bean-y vegetarian main.)
Recipe Ingredients
Here's what goes into this white bean and cabbage stir fry recipe. Make sure to scroll down to my recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredient amounts and instructions!
- Olive oil - I use extra virgin olive oil, and any olive oil of your choice will work great.
- Onion - I used a small yellow onion - feel free to use any onion variety you prefer.
- Carrots
- Garlic - I used 4 cloves of garlic, and you can definitely add more if you like!
- Cabbage - I prefer green cabbage, but see my note lower down about using red cabbage.
- White beans - Use any variety of white beans, such as navy, cannellini, or northern.
- Salt and pepper
How to Make White Bean and Cabbage Stir Fry
Here's an overview in photos of how to make this easy dish:
1. Cook aromatics: In a skillet, heat the olive oil, then cook the onion, carrots, and garlic.
2. Add cabbage: Add the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft.
3. Add beans: Add the white beans.
4. Finish: Stir in the beans, salt and pepper to taste, and cook until heated through.
Cabbage Stir Fry Tips & Recipe Notes
- What type of cabbage? I like green cabbage when I make a stir fry because it cooks down quicker and is very tender. However, red cabbage is also an excellent choice! You may want to add a bit of broth or water if using red cabbage because it will take longer to cook.
- How to prep the cabbage? I keep it really simple and just roughly slice and chop up the cabbage into thin pieces. For a more uniform look, you can use a vegetable shredder to shred the cabbage.
- Increase the quantities. Double or triple the quantities in the recipe card to ensure leftovers, a second meal later in the week, or just to feed more around the table!
- Finish with parmesan. I do love cheese! Sprinkle a little shredded or grated parmesan over the top of the finished skillet.
- For serving - I love rounding out this cabbage stir fry for dinner with a steaming pot of fluffy short or long grain brown rice (white rice works, too). A base of quinoa adds texture and extra protein. And for nights when I'm truly in a rush, I toast a few pieces of good bread and pile on the cabbage and white beans!
Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe Variations
- Add broth - For a bit more flavor and brothy vibe, stir in ¼ cup of vegetable broth to the pan.
- More veggies - Add extra vegetables to the skillet along with the cabbage. I love adding spinach or another green, mushrooms, or asparagus.
- Fresh or dried herbs - A bit of dried oregano or basil is always nice, or try chopped fresh rosemary, basil, or oregano.
- More savory - A splash of soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free) adds a depth of flavor.
- Vegetarian protein - Slice up your favorite veggie sausage or crumble in some vegan ground beef in addition to or instead of the beans.
How to Store & Reheat Leftover Cabbage Stir Fry
- Fridge - Transfer any cooled leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat - Place leftover stir fry in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 1 ½-2 minutes, until hot.
More Quick Veggie Recipes
Happy baking! If you make this white bean and cabbage stir fry recipe, I'd love to know. Please leave a comment below, reach out with any questions, and tag me on Instagram @Cucina Nicolina ❤️
White Bean and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion , diced
- 2 carrots , peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 head green cabbage , cored and chopped
- 1 15-ounce can white beans , drained and rinsed
- salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, warm the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the 1 small onion and sautee for about 2 minutes, then add the 2 carrots and cook until softened. Stir in the 4 cloves garlic and 1 head green cabbage, and cook over low heat, stirring often, until the cabbage is soft. Add a splash of water if needed.
- Stir in the 1 15-ounce can white beans, add salt and pepper to taste, and serve with rice or quinoa.
Notes
- What type of cabbage? I like green cabbage when I make a stir fry because it cooks down quicker and is very tender. However, red cabbage is also an excellent choice! You may want to add a bit of broth or water if using red cabbage because it will take longer to cook.
- How to prep the cabbage? I keep it really simple and just roughly slice and chop up the cabbage into thin pieces. For a more uniform look, you can use a vegetable shredder to shred the cabbage.
- Increase the quantities. Double or triple the quantities in the recipe card to ensure leftovers, a second meal later in the week, or just to feed more around the table!
- Finish with parmesan. I do love cheese! Sprinkle a little shredded or grated parmesan over the top of the finished skillet.
- For serving - I love rounding out this cabbage stir fry for dinner with a steaming pot of fluffy short or long grain brown rice (white rice works, too). A base of quinoa adds texture and extra protein. And for nights when I'm truly in a rush, I toast a few pieces of good bread and pile on the cabbage and white beans!
I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a note.