Someone holding a cabbage
FOOD NEWS
5 Ways To Use Up Outer Cabbage Leaves
BY LAUREN ROTHMAN
Stuffed cabbage rolls covered in sauce
Stuffed Cabbage
This dish is common in Central and Eastern Europe. It’s an ideal way to use outer cabbage leaves because the dish braises for some time, allowing them to get tender.
A jar of sauerkraut
Kimchi Or Sauerkraut
Outer cabbage leaves are perfect to place over salted kimchi or sauerkraut, keeping the prepared cabbage under the brine's surface so it pickles.
Shredded cabbage on a plate
Spicy Cabbage
Tough outer cabbage leaves are perfect for Japanese sweet and spicy cabbage, which often uses leaves that are parboiled, drained, and then simmered in a sauce.
A bowl of cabbage soup
Soups & Stews
Cabbage frequently appears in soups and stews. While they usually call for softer inner leaves, the outer leaves can be used, as they have time to cook and soften.
A bowl of coleslaw
Coleslaw
This classic side dish features cabbage and other vegetables. As the vegetable sits, they’re tenderized by the salt and acid from dressings, so outer cabbage leaves work.