RECIPES:
May 16, 2022

Miso Braised Cabbage

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
This cabbage is served in wedges braised in a sweet miso and sake sauce.
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Cabbage gets a bad rap. It’s so often used as a garnish or served as a mayonnaise-heavy coleslaw that the mild flavor and texture is hidden. Also, this flavorful braised cabbage recipe is served quartered then seared and paired with a miso sauce inspired by a unique presentation I had at the kissaki restaurant Llama San in the West Village. So, my version is paired down, garnished simply with sesame seeds and a handful of vibrant wild arugula. Not only is this recipe vegan, it’s also gluten free. 

Miso Braised Cabbage 

cabbage ingredients for braised cabbage recipe

Key Ingredients in This Recipe 

  • Cabbage – I use green cabbage in this recipe. It’s a flexible vegetable that can be braised like this or finely shredded in salads. Look for a head of cabbage that feels heavy for its size with tightly packed leaves. I peel back and discard the first layer of leaves before cutting the cabbage into wedges. Also, it will shrink down fairly significantly as it cooks. 
  • Shallots – Shallots have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. So, if a swap is needed, use yellow onion in this recipe. Swap with about ½ cup finely diced onion. 
  • Miso – Miso paste is made from fermented soybeans and is famed for its umami flavor – a balance of sweet and savory. I choose to use white miso paste in this recipe for its mild, sweet flavor so it doesn’t overpower the cabbage. 
  • Rice Vinegar – Rice vinegar is made through the process of fermenting rice. It has a much more mellow, less acidic flavor than other vinegars.
  • Sake – Sake is made from fermented rice and has a mild, clean taste. So, if you are using cooking sake rather than drinking sake, note that there is added salt so you won’t have to season the dish with as much salt. 

How to Make Miso Braised Cabbage

cooking cabbage ingredients for braised cabbage recipe
Step 1: Sear cabbage. 

Heat oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Heat a large cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the oil and heat through. Add the cabbage to the pan with one of the cut sides facing down, working in batches if needed. Sear the cabbage until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Then, season with salt. Also, flip and continue to sear on the other side, about an additional 3 minutes.

Step 2: Sauté shallots. 

Set the cabbage aside on a plate and return the pan to heat. Then, add the butter and allow to melt, then add the shallots and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes.

onion ingredients for braised cabbage recipe
sauted shallots ingredients for braised cabbage recipe
Step 3: Make the sauce. 

Stir in the miso and rice vinegar, then add the sake and ½ cup water to the pan. 

Step 4: Braise the cabbage. 

Nestle the cabbage back into the skillet and move the pan to the oven. Cook until the cabbage has reduced in size and is tender, about 1 hour.

cabbage and sauce ingredients for braised cabbage recipe
Step 5: Garnish and serve. 

Season with salt and pepper then garnish with sesame seeds and arugula.

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

Swaps and substitutions 

This is a fairly flexible recipe so even if a few swaps are needed it will turn out delicious! 

  • The sake can be swapped with a dry white wine if needed. 
  • Also, using other types of miso will impart a different flavor though they will all work well with the cabbage. 
  • Red cabbage or savoy cabbage can be swapped for the green variety. 
What to Serve with Braised Cabbage

Other Recipes to Try

Also, if you enjoyed this braised miso cabbage recipe, give these others a try and follow me on Instagram for more updates: 

Miso Braised Cabbage

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, cut through the core into 8 wedges (about 2 pounds)
  • Kosher salt, as needed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons white miso paste
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 cup sake
  • Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
  • ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Handful wild arugula

Instructions:

  • Heat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
  • Heat a large cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the oil and heat through. Add the cabbage to the pan with one of the cut sides facing down, working in batches if needed. Sear the cabbage until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. Flip and continue to sear on the other side, about an additional 3 minutes.
  • Set the cabbage aside on a plate and return the pan to heat. Add the butter and allow to melt, then add the shallots and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the miso and rice vinegar, then add the sake and ½ cup water to the pan.
  • Nestle the cabbage back into the skillet and move the pan to the oven. Cook until the cabbage has reduced in size and is tender, about 1 hour.
  • Season with salt and pepper then garnish with sesame seeds and arugula.

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  1. 5 stars
    Soooo good – came out great and was really easy to do, perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner!

    Used red onion instead of shallots as that was all we had, but they worked great.

    Don’t skimp on the extra water as it’ll dry out before the cabbage gets tender enough.

    Didn’t need a lot of extra seasoning as the miso does most of the work, was really flavorful!

    Served it with some plain rice and sauteed shrimp. We demolished it all, highly recommend. 😊