Sautéed Lemon Tomato Garlic Cabbage – Healthy Side Dish Dinner Recipe

This sautéed lemon cabbage with a hint of tomato sauce is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any meal. It takes the humble cabbage and transforms it into a flavorful side that’s both tangy and savory. The garlic adds a fragrant base, while the lemon zest and juice bring a bright, fresh note that balances out the richness.

Cabbage might not seem exciting at first, but with a little love and creativity, it can be incredibly delicious! Try roasting or grilling cabbage with bold flavors, like garlic and spices, to bring out its natural sweetness and add a satisfying crunch to your meals.

Adding just 2-3 tablespoons of tomato sauce is a genius move. It gives the cabbage a subtle sweetness and a touch of acidity that enhances the overall flavor without being overpowering! It’s amazing how such a small amount can make a big difference!

The dish is also incredibly versatile. It works well as a side dish for meats or as a light vegetarian main course. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste – maybe a bit more lemon for extra zing or a touch more garlic if you love that robust flavor!

Overall, this sautéed lemon cabbage with tomato sauce is a must-try! Especially, when you simply don’t know what to prepare, but you’d stick to something quick and easy. It’s quick, simple, and delicious, making it perfect for busy weeknights or as a unique addition to your next dinner party! Give it a try, and you might just find it becoming a new favorite in your recipe rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

• Flavorful Yet Simple: People would love this sautéed lemon cabbage recipe because it’s incredibly flavorful yet simple to make. The combination of garlic, lemon, and just a touch of tomato sauce creates a delicious balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes that elevate the natural sweetness of the cabbage, making it a perfect side dish or a light, satisfying vegetarian option.

• Versatility: The recipe is versatile, working well as a complement to various main courses or as a stand-alone dish. The quick sauté method ensures tender, caramelized cabbage with a fresh zing from the lemon juice.

• Quick and Easy: It’s also quick and easy, making it ideal for busy weeknights with straightforward steps and common ingredients. It’s budget-friendly and accessible.

• Adaptable: Additionally, the recipe is adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs. You can adjust the amount of garlic, use butter for added richness, or keep it light and vegan. This makes it a versatile, flavorful, and healthy addition to any meal plan.

Ingredients You Need

Certainly! Here are the ingredients with an additional sentence of information for each:

• Cabbage – You can use any kind of cabbage you prefer for this recipe. Green cabbage is a common choice, but you can also use savoy cabbage or even red cabbage for a different flavor and color. The cabbage should be thinly sliced rather than grated, as this will give it a better texture and appearance in the final dish.
• Olive oil – Use good quality olive oil for sautéing to add flavor to the dish. Alternatively, you can use organic lard.

• Garlic – Fresh garlic will provide a strong, aromatic flavor.
• Lemon – The lemon zest adds a fragrant citrusy flavor, while the juice provides a bright, acidic contrast.
• Tomato sauce – Use a simple tomato sauce (ideally homemade) to add a touch of sweetness and acidity without overpowering the dish.
• Salt and pepper – Seasoning with salt and pepper enhances all the flavors in the dish.
• Butter (optional) – Adding butter at the end will create a rich, silky texture.

How To Make It

This sautéed lemon cabbage with tomato sauce is relatively easy to make! It requires simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! The key is to thinly slice the cabbage and allow it to caramelize slowly for the best flavor. Overall, it’s a straightforward recipe that yields delicious results! Here’s a step-by-step process of how to make it!

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

• Thinly slice 1 medium cabbage, removing the core.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or lard) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.

Step 3: Cook the Cabbage

• Add the sliced cabbage to the skillet. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and starting to caramelize until golden brown.

Step 4: Add Tomato Sauce

• Pour in 2-3 tablespoons of tomato sauce and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes on a lower heat to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Add Lemon (optional)

• Zest and juice half a lemon (or less if the tomato sauce is already too sour), then add both to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 6: Season and Serve

• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, add 1 tablespoon of butter for extra richness. Serve hot as a side dish or a light main course.

What To Use: Oil, Butter, Lard or Ghee?

I personally don’t like cooking with olive oil since I don’t know if it’s really healthy, so I most of the time use butter or lard. If you sauté for too long with butter, it can easily burn, and olive oil doesn’t offer the same sweet flavor.

You could use a combination of butter and oil to prevent the butter from burning due to the higher smoke point of the oil. However, in this case, it might be simpler to use ghee or organic lard, which has a high smoke point, won’t burn, and provides that delicious buttery flavor.

Tips & Ideas

Here are some tips and ideas for making this sautéed lemon cabbage with tomato sauce that can help!

• Add Protein: Enhance the dish by adding cooked chickpeas, tofu, or sliced vegetarian sausages for a protein boost.
• Spice it Up: For a kick of heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil to add a burst of fresh flavor.
• Cheese: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese before serving for added richness.
• Serve with Grains: Serve over cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous for a more filling meal.
• Meal Prep: Make ahead and reheat when ready to serve for easy meal prep.
• Customize Seasonings: Experiment with different seasonings like paprika, cumin, or thyme to suit your taste.
• Use Leftovers: Leftover cabbage can be used as a topping for sandwiches, wraps, or salads.