Forget Salt And Pepper: Give Sauteed Cabbage Complex Flavor With One Type Of Seasoning
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The great thing about cabbage — other than its rich nutritional profile – is the fact that it's truly a kitchen workhorse. You can prepare it in a variety of ways, and almost all of them will be delicious. When we sauté shreds of cabbage, we find that a generous sprinkle of Creole seasoning takes things from "ordinary" to "sha-blam!" very quickly.
The flavors of the Louisiana bayou come to life in Creole seasoning, which gets heat, complexity, and abundant flavor from a mix of chiles (paprika and cayenne), peppers, herbs, and aromatics. When it comes to commercial products, Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning is a big name, and you can buy it in bulk on Amazon. Of course, if you prefer to tailor the flavor profile to your liking, such as adding more or less spice, you can whip up your own with the contents of a well-stocked spice drawer.
We like this matchup in any permutation, whether it's sprinkled on cabbage slices cooked like steaks or stirred into homey, comforting creamed cabbage for a gentle kick. But sautéed cabbage is one of our very favorite vessels for Creole seasoning because it's so very simple to prepare despite how outsized and impressive the flavor ends up.
You can put even more Creole in your cabbage with thoughtful additions
It's almost impossible to talk about Creole or Cajun food without mention of the culinary Holy Trinity: bell pepper, celery, and onion. This Louisiana take on a traditional mirepoix is the backbone to many, many traditional Deep South dishes, and these combined ingredients can dress up your cabbage as well. Simply sauté them down in your pan before adding your cabbage and Creole seasoning. Delish!
There's a delightful turn of phrase 'round these parts called "adding the pope" that includes supplementing your trinity with green onion, parsley, and/or garlic, all of which will contribute to the nuanced, craveable savor of your cabbage. Tomato is another ingredient that plays incredibly well with classic Creole flavors. Best of all, if you stop here, your cabbage is suitable for even vegan eaters.
Wondering what to serve alongside your slightly spicy, bold cabbage? We've turned mashed potatoes into a lively Cajun meal by adding canned gumbo, and we think rounding that out with cabbage would yield a feast. Likewise, this veggie is complex and interesting enough to serve alongside all your favorite products of the grill, like ribs or juicy steak. Looking to turn it into a main dish? You know what you need: sliced Andouille sausage for complementary Creole flavor, or some crispy bacon. Heap your meaty, fragrant cabbage atop a mound of white rice and dig in!