How to Make the Perfect Cabbage Boil
Southern American · Easy · 45 min · 6 servings
This humble and deeply comforting Southern style cabbage boil simmers tender cabbage with smoky sausage and simple seasonings in a rich flavorful broth. It is an easy one pot meal that warms you from the inside out.
Why this recipe works
This Cabbage Boil recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 380 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 head green cabbage chopped into wedges
- 1 lb smoked sausage sliced into rounds
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large yellow onion roughly chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
In a large heavy bottomed pot over medium high heat, melt butter and add sliced smoked sausage. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes stirring occasionally until the sausage rounds are nicely browned on both sides and the fat has rendered out.
Step 2: Saute the Aromatics
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic directly to the pot with the sausage drippings. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes stirring frequently until the onion softens and becomes translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step 3: Add Seasonings and Broth
Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and crushed red pepper, stir for 30 seconds to bloom the spices. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to incorporate all that flavor into the liquid.
Step 4: Add the Cabbage
Add the chopped cabbage wedges to the pot, pressing them down gently to submerge as much as possible. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cover the pot with a lid.
Step 5: Simmer Until Tender
Cook covered for 20 to 25 minutes until the cabbage is completely tender and has absorbed the smoky savory broth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before ladling into deep bowls and serving hot.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- smoked sausage → andouille sausage or smoked turkey legs
- chicken broth → vegetable broth or water with bouillon
- green cabbage → savoy cabbage or napa cabbage
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding the cabbage too early before browning the sausage which removes the smoky fond from the pot
- Cooking at too high a temperature which makes the cabbage fall apart and become mushy
- Using too little broth which causes the cabbage to scorch on the bottom of the pot
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 380 calories, 18g protein, 22g carbs, 24g fat, 6g fiber.
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