40 Napa Cabbage Recipes Packed with Cruciferous Crunch
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 coleslaw, stir-fries, salads, or Asian dumplings. And we can't forget about kimchi, a fermented Korean dish where Napa cabbage is the star. Here's everything you need to know about Napa cabbage, from what it is, how to cut it, to the 40 tastiest Napa cabbage recipes you can cook right now.
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.
Related: Best Keto Cabbage Recipes
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.
Related: Best Green Cabbage Recipes
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.
Here are just a few ways you can enjoy the delicious vegetable:
Eat raw in salads, slaws, and veggie platters.
Grilled. The grill brings out the smoky, caramelized flavor of Napa cabbage.
Tossed in with dumplings and stir-fries.
Mixed into soups and casseroles.
In stews or steamed. Napa cabbage really doesn't need much time cooking. It usually takes around four minutes to be perfectly cooked.
Best Napa Cabbage Recipes
You'll want to try one (or all!) of these 40 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!
Cat Cora
Napa cabbage makes a delicious wrap for this Thai Chicken Salad.
Get the recipe: Thai Chicken Salad in Cabbage Wraps
James Ransom
If you're making this for lunch, remember to pack the dressing separately and add it to the salad when you're ready to eat.
Get the recipe: Featherweight Slaw with Chicken
Kimchi—a staple of Korean cuisine—adds an incredible pop of deep savory flavor to any dish.
Get the recipe: Easy Kimchi Pancake
Bobby Flay
Bobby Flay says this coleslaw is great with just about any main dish.
Get the recipe: Coleslaw with Creamy Cumin-Lime-Dill Vinaigrette
Ming Tsai
These dumplings are so easy to make.
Get the recipe: Ming Tsai’s Classic Pork Pot Stickers
Alison Ashton
Kimchi adds a tangy punch to these loaded baked potatoes
Get the recipe: Caramelized Kimchi Baked Potatoes
The Kids Cook Monday
Scallions and fresh ginger spice the broth, while carrots, mushrooms and noodles make a hearty base.
Get the recipe: Japanese Vegetable Noodle Soup
Parade
Chicken Salad has a modern twist with Asian flavors, farro and Napa Cabbage.
Get the recipe: Asian Farro Chicken Salad
TAO
For a Thanksgiving spin, a cranberry buerre blanc dipping sauce complements the savory butternut dumpling.
Get the recipe: Butternut Squash and Asparagus Dumplings
Grace Young
Tasty noodles include chicken, mushrooms, napa cabbage and spices.
Get the recipe: Longevity Noodles (Chicken Lo Mein with Ginger Mushrooms)
Alison Ashton
This main dish salad combines elements of a Chinese chicken salad with loads of crunchy veggies and Thai-inspired satay skewers for one delicious mashup.
Get the recipe: Asian Chicken Salad
Sweet and Savory Meals
Stir-fried with garlic, hoisin sauce, ginger and soy sauce, then finished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Get the recipe: Sautéed Napa Cabbage
Sweet and Savory Meals
Coated with spiced soy sauce and maple syrup, then roasted until beautifully caramelized on the outside and tender in the center.
Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Steaks
Gimme Some Oven
Simple to make in just 20 minutes, and full of the best healthy ingredients and comforting flavors.
Get the recipe: Cabbage Egg Drop Soup
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Yummy, refreshing, vegan and an easy, low-carb recipe.
Get the recipe: Cucumber and Napa Cabbage Coleslaw
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
This simple chilled salad with carrots, scallions and toasted almonds is made with crunchy uncooked ramen noodles, Napa cabbage and an easy, Asian-inspired soy sesame dressing.
Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Ramen Noodle Salad
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
So much better than the usual romaine lettuce used in caesar salads.
Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Caesar Salad
Lavender and Macarons
A quick 5-ingredient side dish recipe that's great to take on a picnic or serve alongside tacos.
Get the recipe: Healthy Napa Cabbage Salad
The Yummy Bowl
Thinly-sliced cabbage sautéed with mushrooms in a light and flavorful Chinese-inspired, stir-fry sauce.
Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Mushrooms
Omnivores Cookbook
This comforting dish of Chinese cabbage is rich tasting and easy to make.
Get the recipe: Chinese Napa Cabbage with Glass Noodles
Omnivore's Cookbook
A hearty Napa cabbage soup with tender meatballs and tofu, that's loaded with winter vegetables.
Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Soup with Meatballs
Omnivore's Cookbook
My vegetarian friends have commented that this is the best Buddha’s Delight they ever had.
Get the recipe: Buddha’s Delight
Related Post: 25 Tasty Fried Rice Recipes
Aggie's Kitchen
A fun twist on cabbage rolls.
Get the recipe: Asian Stuffed Cabbage
Simple Veganista
Cool cucumbers, crunchy carrots, red bell peppers and Napa cabbage tossed together with a delicious citrus peanut dressing.
Get the recipe: Thai Crunch Salad
Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
Napa cabbage is a hearty, low-carb swap for rice.
Get the recipe: Spicy Shrimp & Napa Cabbage Stir Fry
Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
A refreshing Japanese seafood meal with a kick.
Get the recipe: Crispy Cod & Yuzu-Shoyu Soba with Napa Cabbage
Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
Fresh orange zest and juice liven up this beefy Chinese noodle dish.
Get the recipe: Orange Beef Lo Mein with Gai Lan & Napa Cabbage
Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
A simple marinade imparts a wonderful flavor to the beef, and a quick kimchi-esque topping really kicks up the heat and adds a nice crunch.
Get the recipe: Korean-Style Beef Tacos
Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
Wrapping up Vietnamese fresh spring rolls in rice paper is easier than you think.
Get the recipe: Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp
Related: Vietnamese Bean Thread Salad with Shrimp and Chicken
Woon Heng
Seared and then served with a sweet and spicy sauce for a delicious and quick meal.
Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Sticky Rice Rolls
Woon Heng
The best part about this dish is that you can make this in under an hour and in one pot.
Get the recipe: Cabbage-Tofu Delicata Squash Stew
Woon Heng
Dumpling wrappers are made from Napa cabbage for a lighter meal.
Get the recipe: Lucky Money Bag Dumplings
Korean Bapsang
You can use a whole, cut-up chicken or any combination of chicken cut parts for this soup.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Soup with Napa Cabbage
BravaBod
Loaded with crisp beansprouts, Napa cabbage, almonds and juicy mandarin oranges in a tangy ginger dressing.
Get the recipe: Crunchy Mandarin Salad
Rasa Malaysia
The easiest homemade dumplings recipe ever.
Get the recipe: Pork-Shrimp and Napa Cabbage Dumplings
Rasa Malaysia
This Chicken Lo Mein tastes so much better than your favorite Chinese take-out order!
Get the recipe: Chicken Lo Mein
Rasa Malaysia
Delicious ingredients that vary from protein to vegetables are cooked in a hearty and simmering pot of soup stock.
Get the recipe: Chinese Hot Pot
Rasa Malaysia
A popular spicy Korean seafood noodle soup.
Get the recipe: Korean Seafood Noodle Soup
Mountain Mama Cooks
Made with Napa cabbage, radishes, cilantro and an Asian-inspired dressing.
Get the recipe: Crunchy Napa Slaw
California Grown
Rich and garlicky with a sultry, robust flavor and just a hint of spice.
Get the recipe: Melting Napa Cabbage