5 Trader Joe's Finds That Make Cabbage 10x More Flavorful

Not only is cabbage a nutritional powerhouse (the list of foods with more vitamin K is a short one), but it's also pretty objectively scrumptious. Cuisines from all corners of the globe lean heavily on cabbage, not just because it grows well, but also because it's a versatile and yummy addition to many meals, no matter what your culinary perspective. Case in point: when we learned about Japanese yamitsuki, or "addictive" cabbage, we fully agreed with the title! 

When we shop at Trader Joe's — which we do pretty often, since we know the best times to shop there are mornings in the middle of the week — we love to scope out items that will enhance our experiences cooking and eating cabbage. No matter how you enjoy preparing this cruciferous, leafy veg, there's something on those shelves that will suit. Keep in mind that pricing is accurate as of this writing, but availability may vary by store location. 

The difference between sriracha and sambal oelek has to do with extra ingredients, and, while both will spice up your sautéed cabbage, we think the $3.99 tag on this bottle of TJ's sriracha is a real winner. Trader Joe's vouches for the heat level on this bottle but also touts its well-rounded sweet-savory-tart character. It doesn't get easier than drizzling a bit over some cabbage shreds before serving, and the sauce will match a variety of cabbage recipe components, from meats to cheeses to other veggies. 

We saw a TikTok reel recently that promised a three-ingredient Trader Joe's dinner with just bulk pork sausage, gyoza sauce, and shredded cabbage for a quick, easy version of the beloved "egg roll in a bowl" main dish. It wasn't included on our list of the best tips for cooking sausage, but here's knowledge worth having: meat + cabbage + sauce makes for a seriously versatile meal, especially when served over a pot of rice. One pound of this country-style sausage is $5.49. 

We know that the best way to check the "doneness" of hard-boiled eggs involves an egg timer (shocker!), but we still might splurge on these pre-cooked eggs, which sell for $3.99 for a four-pack. Cabbage makes a surprisingly delicious addition to instant ramen, and everyone knows that a soft-boiled egg is the pièce de résistance of excellent ramen. For a speedy lunch that's nicer than takeout, cook your cabbage shreds right in your ramen pot and add some hoisin and a couple of cut-up jammy eggs.

The idea of cabbage salads need not stop at coleslaw. The crunchy, durable leaves (especially those of more tender Napa cabbage) make an excellent addition to our cold lunches, and a good dressing is, of course, paramount in such a case. This toasted sesame sauce would be absolutely heavenly with some thin-sliced cabbage and grilled chicken for a meal that's hearty and nourishing. Remember that a classic meal-prep tip is to start with the dressing on the bottom for even coating of your salad ingredients! One bottle of this classic sesame dressing sells for $3.99. 

You don't have to cook cabbage like a steak to appreciate the meatiness and heft of this veggie, and, naturally, actual meat complements it very well. It's almost always the case that smoky, salty bacon improves most meals, and cabbage is no different. With bacon bits, the work is done for you, so sprinkle with abandon. Haluska, or fried cabbage and egg noodles, is a Central European classic, and bacon also goes very well with this easy-to-prepare rustic dish. Get three ounces of bacon bits for $3.29.