Recipe Highlights
This Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry is one in every of my favourite methods to make use of up a full head of napa cabbage earlier than it wilts. Mr. JOC loves this stir-fry as a result of it pairs properly with rice and is just like Taiwanese-style dwelling cooking. I really like that I could make it simply with components already in my fridge.
Right here’s why I hold coming again to this recipe:
- Fast and easy recipe prepared in simply 20 minutes
- An effective way to make use of up additional napa cabbage
- Pairs properly with any Japanese or Asian principal dish
If you happen to love stir-fry recipes, strive my Stir-Fried Greens, Hen Bok Choy Stir-Fry, and Hen Stir-Fry with Garlic Chives subsequent.
What’s Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry?
Napa cabbage is a big, mildly candy leafy vegetable extensively utilized in East Asian cooking. Referred to as hakusai (白菜) in Japanese, it’s extra tender than inexperienced cabbage and develops a fragile sweetness when cooked.
In my Japanese-style stir-fry, I hold it less complicated than Chinese language variations—no garlic, ginger, scallions, or oyster sauce. Simply clear flavors that permit the napa cabbage shine.
Components for Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
Discover the printable recipe with measurements under.
Find out how to Make Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
- Prep the components. Lower the napa cabbage into 2-inch items. Slice thick ribs in half or thirds lengthwise. Slice the shiitake caps and reduce the bacon into ½-inch strips.
- Render the bacon. Warmth a dry pan or wok over medium-high warmth. Add the bacon and prepare dinner till the fats renders.
- Stir-fry. Add the thick cabbage ribs first and sprinkle with half the salt. Cowl and prepare dinner on medium-low warmth for two minutes. Uncover, stir, then add the mushrooms and leafy cabbage with the remaining salt.
- Prepare dinner via. Cowl and prepare dinner for 3–4 minutes till the cabbage is fork-tender. Prepare dinner for 1–2 extra minutes if wanted.
- Season and serve. Add soy sauce and black pepper, tossing to coat. End with a pinch of sansho (Japanese pepper) to style.
Nami’s Recipe Suggestions
Hold the following tips in thoughts for one of the best outcomes each time.
- Lower the cabbage ribs into small items. This ensures they prepare dinner evenly and rapidly.
- Prepare dinner the thick cabbage ribs first. The thicker white elements want extra time within the pan than the tender leaves.
- Salt in phases. Sprinkle half the salt on the cabbage ribs first, then add the remaining with the leaves. This seasons evenly and attracts out moisture progressively.
- Hold the lid on. Protecting the pan traps steam and warmth to prepare dinner the cabbage with out browning.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Too many components entice extra steam and make the stir-fry too moist. Prepare dinner in batches if wanted.
Variations
This recipe is versatile—listed below are just a few simple swaps to fit your style or pantry.
- Make it vegan. Skip the bason and use tofu and seitan as an alternative. The shiitake mushrooms convey loads of savory depth on their very own.
- Swap the protein. Attempt shrimp as an alternative of bacon. Sauté briefly earlier than including the cabbage.
- Substitute the shiitake. Any mushroom works right here. Not a fan of mushrooms? Carrots and onions are nice substitutes.
- Make it gluten-free. Swap the soy sauce for tamari soy sauce.
What to Serve with Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
My Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry pairs properly with any Japanese principal dish. Listed here are my favorites:
- Immediate Pot Honey Spare Ribs – Wealthy, sticky spare ribs steadiness the sunshine, sweet-savory stir-fry completely.
- Teriyaki Tofu – Crispy tofu in a shiny, sweet-savory glazes makes this a satisfying plant-based pairing.
- Miso Salmon – The wealthy, savory miso glaze pairs fantastically with the cabbage’s delicate sweetness.
- Japanese Egg Drop Soup – A light-weight, comforting soup with delicate egg ribbons—prepared in quarter-hour.
Storage and Reheating Suggestions
To retailer: As soon as cooled to room temperature, switch to an hermetic container. Refrigerate for as much as 3 days or freeze for as much as one month.
To reheat: Reheat in a pan over medium warmth or within the microwave till warmed via. If frozen, thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
FAQs
Can I take advantage of inexperienced cabbage as an alternative of napa cabbage?
You’ll be able to, however anticipate a unique end result. Inexperienced cabbage has harder leaves and a extra impartial taste, so it’ll want just a few additional minutes to melt.
How do I hold the napa cabbage from getting mushy?
Keep away from overcooking. Prepare dinner the thick rib items first and add the tender leaves later—they want a lot much less time within the pan.
The place can I purchase napa cabbage?
You’ll find napa cabbage at an Asian grocery store and most main grocery shops.
Which sort of pan is one of the best for stir-frying?
My favourite is with a well-seasoned carbon metal pan (as an alternative of a carbon metal wok). It holds excessive warmth for quick searing, develops a pure non-stick floor over time, and is light-weight sufficient to toss meals simply.
I’d love to listen to how yours turned out! 💛 Please go away a star ranking and remark under to share your expertise. Your suggestions not solely helps Simply One Cookbook but additionally helps different dwelling cooks uncover recipes they will belief.
Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
To Put together the Components
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Lower ¼ head napa cabbage crosswise into 2-inch (5-cm) items. Lower the robust, thick rib items lengthwise in half or thirds.
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Lower off the stems of 3 shiitake mushrooms and thinly slice the caps.
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Lower 3 slices applewood smoked bacon into ½-inch (1.3-cm) strips.
To Stir-Fry
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Warmth a big frying pan over medium-high warmth. Add the bacon and stir-fry with a spatula.
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Stir-fry for two–3 minutes till the bacon is evenly browned and the fats has rendered. Nami’s Tip: My carbon metal pan regarded dry and wanted 2 tsp impartial oil. Skip if utilizing a non-stick pan.
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Add the thick rib items and sprinkle with ⅛ tsp kosher salt.
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Cut back the warmth to medium-low. Stir, cowl, and prepare dinner for two minutes.
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Open the lid and add the shiitake and tender, leafy napa cabbage items.
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Sprinkle with one other ⅛ tsp kosher salt and stir.
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Cowl and prepare dinner for 3–4 minutes till the napa cabbage ribs are crisp-tender.
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If they aren’t tender, cowl and prepare dinner for one more 1–2 minutes.
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Season with ⅛ tsp freshly floor black pepper and 2 tsp soy sauce and stir.
Shiitake mushrooms: Substitute different kinds of mushrooms, use carrots and onion, or skip altogether.
Bacon: It provides protein, a savory taste, and dimensional texture. You’ll be able to substitute shrimp, tofu, or seitan.
Variations and Customizations
- Make it vegan. Substitute the bacon with tofu or seitan.
- Swap the protein. Swap issues up with shrimp as an alternative of bacon. Sauté briefly earlier than including the cabbage.
- Make it gluten-free. Swap the soy sauce in my napa cabbage stir-fry for tamari soy sauce.
Energy: 143kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 5g, Fats: 12g, Saturated Fats: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 5g, Trans Fats: 0.04g, Ldl cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 428mg, Potassium: 364mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 371IU, Vitamin C: 31mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 1mg
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Editor’s Observe: This publish was initially revealed on November 14, 2022, and republished with extra useful content material on Could 7, 2026.
