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    Home » Sides

    Sesame Braised Cabbage

    Published: Oct 22, 2022 · Modified: Mar 18, 2023 by Carmen Spillette · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 5 reviews

    This Sesame Braised Cabbage is the only Asian cabbage recipe you need in your life. So addictive you will eat the whole head. Cabbage is a humble, underrated vegetable that needs to be in the spotlight. It takes on every flavor imaginable and goes well with butter. The best part is its health benefits. It is healthy and very low on calories.

    Braising cabbage will ensure its tender inside and crispy on the outside.

    sesame braised cabbage
    sesame braised cabbage air fryer

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Cabbage - you can use red cabbage or even savoy cabbage.

    Butter - cabbage and butter goes hand in hand. However, feel free to omit it if you don't want to add it. The flavor will be altered a bit without butter.

    Sesame oil - This flavor gives it a ton of flavor. I like to use Toasted Sesame oil if I am feeling fancy.

    Oyster Sauce - The umami in this dish is the oyster sauce.

    Soy Sauce - Tamari or coconut aminos should work

    Sambal or Chili Oil - Any chili oil would be great in it

    Honey - Sweetener to balance all the flavor.


    Equipment

    • Cast Iron pan with a lid
    • Medium size bowl for the sauce
    • Measuring tools
    • Air fryer

    sesame braised cabbage air fryer

    Air Fryer Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
    • Combine the sauce ingredients.
    • Cut the cabbage into quarters. Leave the core. The core will keep it from falling apart.
    • Place the quartered cabbage in the air fryer, and spray both sides with oil.
    • Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
    • Pour half of the sauce on top. Flip again and pour the remaining sauce.
    • Serve and enjoy!
    braised cabbage ingredients
    make your sauce
    instant pot air fryer vortex
    air fry
    braised cabbage air fryer
    air fry

    Pan Fry Instructions

    1. Add avocado oil and butter to a cast iron pan with a lid on medium-high heat.
    2. Add the cabbage and fry it until the edges are crispy. Salt and pepper during this time. 5 minutes. 
    3. Once all sides are crispy, add a little water to create steam to cook through the cabbage. 
    4. Cover with a lid and braise for 10 minutes. 
    5. Make your sauce. In a bowl, combine the sesame sauce ingredients. 
    6. Check the cabbage with a knife if the middle is tender. If not, add 5 more minutes of cooking. 
    7. When the cabbage is ready, pour the sauce all over and saute until the sauce has been incorporated well inside the cabbage. 
    8. Serve and enjoy! 
    cabbage and asian sesame sauce
    make the sauce
    pan fry asian braised cabbage
    pan fry

    Storage and Reheating Instructions

    Store your leftover Sesame Braised Cabbage in an airtight container.

    Reheat in a microwave, a skillet, or, my favorite, the air fryer for a little extra crispiness and texture.


    Asian Cabbage FAQs

    Is cabbage good for you?

    Cabbage is incredibly healthy for you. It is low in calories and is vegetable-rich so you will stay full longer.

    How do you cut cabbage?

    Cabbage is a very versatile vegetable. When braising and wanting to keep its shape, cut it in wedges, do not cut the core out - this will keep everything intact.


    What to serve with Sesame Asian Cabbage

    Here are a few options that will be perfect for this dish.

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    asian cabbage with sesame sauce
    Print
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    Sesame Braised Cabbage

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 5 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    This addictive Sesame Braised Cabbage is a winner. This humble vegetable is so tender with crispy edges and doused in an amazing sesame sauce. Pure heaven in your mouth. 

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 2-4 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 full head of cabbage quartered

    1 tbsp avocado oil

    2 tbsp butter

    ¼ tsp salt

    1 tsp pepper

    2 tbsp of water for steaming the cabbage

    Sesame Sauce: 

    2 tbsp of oyster sauce

    2 tbsp sesame oil

    1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

    1 tbsp honey

    2 cloves of minced garlic

    1 stalk of green onion

    1 tbsp sambal or chili oil (optional)

    2 tbsp of water

    Instructions

    1. Add avocado oil to a cast iron pan with a lid on medium-high heat.
    2. Add the cabbage and fry it until the edges are crispy. Add the butter. Salt and pepper during this time.
    3. Once all sides are crispy, add a little water to create steam to cook through the cabbage. 
    4. Cover with a lid and braise for 5 minutes on lower heat. 
    5. Make your sauce. In a bowl, combine the sesame sauce ingredients. 
    6. Check the cabbage with a knife if the middle is tender. If not, add 5 more minutes of cooking. 
    7. When the water evaporates and the cabbage is ready, pour the sauce all over and saute until the sauce has been incorporated well inside the cabbage. 
    8. Serve and enjoy! 

    Equipment

    Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer

    Air Fryer

    Buy Now →
    Kana Cast Iron Pans

    Kana Cast Iron Pans

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    Air Fryer Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
    • Combine the sauce ingredients.
    • Cut the cabbage into quarters. Leave the core. The core will keep it from falling apart.
    • Place the quartered cabbage in the air fryer, and spray both sides with oil.
    • Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
    • Pour half of the sauce on top. Flip again and pour the remaining sauce.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    • Author: Carmen
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: side dish
    • Method: air fry
    • Cuisine: asian

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please comment down below! I would love to know how you liked it. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Ada

      August 07, 2024 at 2:21 pm

      Love the flavor and umami sauce you made, really levels up the bland veggies.






      Reply
    2. Kevin

      April 21, 2024 at 10:56 pm

      Just made this for my wife and she said it was potentially the best thing I've ever cooked for her (I was a chef for about 15 years)






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        April 22, 2024 at 4:49 pm

        THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is the best comment ever. Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Brenda Lane-Turner

      October 27, 2023 at 3:05 pm

      Just made this for the second time and it is simply delicious. Can't wait to try other recipes.

      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        October 27, 2023 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you Brenda!!!

        Reply
    4. Veronica Anderson

      April 22, 2023 at 1:32 am

      YUM 😋 Can't get enough of this cabbage!!!!






      Reply
      • Carmen

        April 22, 2023 at 2:53 am

        Thank you

        Reply
    5. Carrie

      March 25, 2023 at 12:08 am

      I eat this all by itself for dinner!






      Reply
      • Carmen

        March 25, 2023 at 2:32 am

        Thank you! I am so happy you loved it.

        Reply
    6. Kim Beverley Burnside

      March 12, 2023 at 12:52 am

      I am making this right now and it smells delicious can’t wait to eat so umami and I actually added some unagi sauce that I love , thanks for this awesome recipe definitely a keeper






      Reply
      • Carmen

        March 12, 2023 at 5:32 am

        That's amazing to hear! Thank you for making it.

        Reply
    7. Viv

      November 12, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      Looks wonderful but I can’t do the oyster sauce. Any fish-fee subs that might work? Some mushroom-y thing?

      Reply
      • Carmen

        November 17, 2022 at 10:07 pm

        There is vegetarian oyster sauce! It is made with mushrooms. Hope that helps.

        Reply

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    sesame braised cabbage collage