Soy Sauce Braised Cabbage – Simple Recipe, Unforgettable Flavor

Soy sauce braised cabbage is a rustic yet appealing dish in Vietnamese family meals. With the natural sweetness of cabbage blending with the rich aroma of soy sauce, this dish is not only easy to make but also brings warmth and deliciousness to the table. Let’s explore the detailed recipe to prepare soy sauce braised cabbage perfectly at home!

1. Ingredients Needed

To cook soy sauce braised cabbage, you will need the following ingredients:

• Cabbage: ½ head (about 500g). Choose fresh, green, tightly wrapped cabbage to ensure crispness and sweetness.
• Green onions: 2 stalks
• Fresh chili: 1 (optional if you like it spicy)
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons (preferably high-quality, rich soy sauce).
• Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons
• Sugar: 1 tablespoon
• Seasoning powder: ½ teaspoon
• Ground black pepper: ¼ teaspoon

Ingredients for soy sauce braised cabbage
Fresh ingredients enhance the appeal of soy sauce braised cabbage.

2. Preparing the Ingredients

Proper preparation will help the dish achieve the perfect flavor:

• Cabbage: Remove the outer wilted leaves, rinse under running water. Cut into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3cm thick to prevent them from getting mushy when braised.
• Green onions: Rinse clean, chop the white and green parts separately.
• Fresh chili: Rinse clean, slice thinly if you want to add more heat.
• Garlic: Peel and mince finely for sautéing.

Note: To keep the cabbage crisp and reduce bitterness, you can soak it in lightly salted water for about 5 minutes before cooking.

3. Detailed Steps to Braise Cabbage in Soy Sauce

3.1. Sautéing Garlic

• Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pot. When the oil is hot, add minced garlic and sauté until golden to create a distinctive aroma.

3.2. Stir-Frying Cabbage

• Add the cabbage to the pot, stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add a pinch of salt to help the cabbage soften faster.

3.3. Seasoning

• Add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of seasoning powder, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper to the pot. Mix well to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed in the cabbage.

3.4. Braising the Cabbage

• Pour in enough water to just cover the cabbage. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and braise gently for about 15-20 minutes. Occasionally stir gently to ensure even cooking.

3.5. Finishing

• Once the cabbage is tender and well-seasoned, turn off the heat. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top to enhance color and flavor.

Finished soy sauce braised cabbage
The completed soy sauce braised cabbage with vibrant colors and rich flavors.

Expert Tip: Add a little sesame oil at the end of the braising process to give the dish a distinctive and enticing aroma.

4. Unique Flavor Variations

You can get creative with soy sauce braised cabbage by adding other ingredients:

• Braising with ground meat: Sauté ground meat until cooked before braising with cabbage to add richness.
• Adding mushrooms: Types like shiitake or straw mushrooms will make the dish lighter and more nutritious.
• Braising with tofu: Fried or soft tofu is a great choice for a vegetarian version.

Chef Minh Duc’s Suggestion: “Adding a bit of chili sauce to the soy sauce braised cabbage will stimulate the taste buds, especially for those who enjoy spicy flavors.”

5. Serving and Storage

Soy sauce braised cabbage is best enjoyed hot with white rice. You can pair this dish with braised pork, braised fish, or fried eggs to create a diverse meal.

• Storage: The dish can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat to enjoy the full flavor.

6. Important Notes

• Choose fresh cabbage: Select cabbage with green leaves and a tight wrap to ensure natural sweetness.
• Quick stir-frying: Stir-fry the cabbage over high heat to maintain its crispness and prevent it from getting mushy.
• No pre-boiling needed: Stir-frying before braising already helps soften the cabbage, so no need to boil it first.

Conclusion

With a simple recipe and easily accessible ingredients, soy sauce braised cabbage is sure to be a great choice for family meals. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also nutritious and suitable for all ages. Try it today to bring a new flavor to your dinner table!

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

• What to serve with soy sauce braised cabbage?
  It’s best enjoyed with white rice, braised pork, braised fish, or fried eggs.
• How long can soy sauce braised cabbage be stored?
  It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• How to make vegetarian soy sauce braised cabbage?
  Simply omit any animal-based ingredients like ground meat.
• How to prevent cabbage from getting mushy?
  Stir-fry quickly over high heat before braising and simmer gently.
• Do you need to boil cabbage before braising?
  No need, stir-frying beforehand already helps soften the cabbage.

References:

• Vietnamese Cuisine – Tradition and Modernity
• Family Cooking Guide

We hope this article helps you confidently cook and enjoy the delicious, flavorful soy sauce braised cabbage!