Made with carrots, bell peppers, onions, and thyme, Jamaican Cabbage isn’t your ordinary serving of cabbage!
Cabbage is truly one of the most underrated vegetables in the world. It can be prepared in so many different ways, making it one of the more versatile veggies. Unless you’ve visited this island nation or have family from there, you may not have ever had a chance to taste Jamaican cabbage. But with this recipe, you can. Who knows? It could become your new favorite way of cooking cabbage.
Jamaican cabbage contains a lot more than just crunchy cabbage. It is joined in the pot by carrots, onions, bell peppers, garlic, thyme, and all-purpose seasoning. If it’s your first time working with all-purpose seasoning and the vague title is giving you pause, let me explain. The blends vary, but all-purpose seasoning usually contains any of the following: garlic powder, onion powder, basil, parsley, paprika, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
This dish is something of a melting pot of flavors, although the cabbage remains the star of the show. It takes on a tangy sweetness that makes it stand out from other ways of preparing cabbage. Equally important, the colors of this recipe make it just as enjoyable to look at as it is to eat.
Is Jamaican Cabbage Healthy?
Jamaican cabbage is nutritious and delicious. This veggie dish is big on fresh produce and relies on spices and salt “to taste” for flavor instead of anything unhealthy. Cabbage is naturally high in vitamins C, A, and K, plus calcium, magnesium, and fiber. The entire dish is low in calories and carbs, helping to make it part of a balanced diet. It is suitable for vegan, vegetarian, and Mediterranean diets. It can also be a part of Whole30, Paleo, and gluten-free diets, provided the seasoning complies—so be sure to check that label!
A Few Veggie Tips
To make the perfect Jamaican cabbage dish, shred the cabbage before you start to cook anything else. To shred it properly, cut the head into quarters. From there, remove the inner stalk, which should make it easier to shred. Once the cabbage is in the pot, make sure it doesn’t dry out. If this becomes a problem, you can add a little more water.
You also have some leeway for how you want to cook some of the other ingredients. With the carrots and bell peppers, add them to the pot after you’ve added the cabbage if you prefer them to be crunchy. On the other hand, if you want your carrots and peppers to be soft, feel free to add them early in the process, at the same time as the onion.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Any Jamaican cabbage leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you wish to keep leftovers a little longer, they will be good for up to a month if stored in the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re going to cook Jamaican cabbage as a side dish, you might as well cook a Caribbean main course as well. Jerk chicken is the most common option. You can prepare Slow-Cooker Jerk Chicken Curry, or perhaps try Easy Jerk Chicken With Pineapple. If that strikes your fancy, you should also try Caribbean Chicken Bowls With Grilled Plantains. Don’t worry, chicken isn’t your only option for an authentic Caribbean meal. You can also prepare Jerk Shrimp Stew With Cauliflower Rice. For the vegans, there is also a Caribbean Cold Lentil Salad Recipe that should pair well with your Jamaican cabbage.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 head green cabbage shredded
- 1 large carrot julienned
- 1/2 bell pepper any color, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté onion, garlic, and thyme until onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, and sliced bell pepper to the skillet, stirring to combine with the sautéed onion mixture.
- Pour in water, then season with all-purpose seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Stir well.
- Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let the cabbage steam until tender but still slightly crisp, 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat, discard thyme sprigs, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve warm.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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