When it comes to all the different types of cabbage you can cook with, Napa cabbage is a little sweeter than the green and red cabbage varieties you might be used to. The leaves are also very tender, so if you’re looking for a milder-tasting cabbage, opt for Napa […]
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When it comes to all the different types of cabbage you can cook with, Napa cabbage is a little sweeter than the green and red cabbage varieties you might be used to. The leaves are also very tender, so if you're looking for a milder-tasting cabbage, opt for Napa when making stir-fries, salads, coleslaw or Asian dumplings.
What Is Napa Cabbage?
Napa cabbage is a variety of Chinese cabbage that is oval or oblong shaped and has wide, flat, white ribs that run up the sides of the head. Green and red cabbage (regular cabbage) have dense round heads that are formed together tightly.
Green and red cabbage also have ribs that are the same color as the leaves and are usually tougher on the outside leaves. Even the texture is a bit different with Napa cabbage being more tender and less dense, while regular cabbage is crunchy and denser.
How to Pick the Perfect Napa Cabbage
Make sure to look for a Napa cabbage that's firm to the touch, with compact leaves, that look fresh and crisp. Try to avoid picking a cabbage with any blemishes or brown spots and wilted leaves.
How to Cut Napa Cabbage
- Wash Napa cabbage thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Remove any dry leaves or the ones with brown spots.
- Cut the head of Napa cabbage in half lengthwise through the core.
- Lay the cabbage in half, and cut the side down on the cutting board.
- Cut through the half, crosswise to separate the top of the head from the bottom half.
- The green leafy top is great for a salad recipe and the other half (with white ribs) is great for soups or stews. But truly both the green and white pieces are delicious.
How to Cook Napa Cabbage
Both Chinese cabbage and regular cabbage can be eaten raw in salads and slaws or cooked, but Napa cabbage breaks down more easily when cooked.
What to do with Napa cabbage:
- It can be eaten raw, such as in salads, slaws, and veggie platters.
- Grilled Napa cabbage is delicious! The grill brings out a smoky, caramelized flavor.
- Dumplings and stir-fries with Napa cabbage are very popular.
- Napa cabbage is also delicious in soups and casseroles.
- Napa cabbage is great in stews and steamed and really doesn't need much time cooking. It usually takes around four minutes to be perfectly cooked.
Best Napa Cabbage Recipes
Try one of these 39 best Napa cabbage recipes, like savory Sautéed Napa Cabbage, no-cook Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw, Ming Tsai’s Classic Pork Pot Stickers with Cabbage, Napa Cabbage Steaks and more!
