A cabbage stir-fry that is so easy to make with just 5 main ingredients.
Also known as “gova thel dala”(cabbage fried in oil), this Sri Lankan vegetarian cabbage recipe takes less than 20 minutes to cook.
You’ll want to try this Asian cabbage recipe that’s cooked with simple staples in your kitchen, yet gives you big flavours.

WHY YOU Should MAKE THE CHILLI CABBAGE STIR FRY.

• A Sri Lankan cabbage recipe for all diets, especially for vegans and vegetarians.
• If you are looking for an easy, 20-minute side dish, then I hope you give this cabbage skillet stir-fry a try.
• Effortless and a one-pan dish to cook.
• This is one reason why my Sri Lankan cabbage stir fry(gova thel dala) recipe is one of the most popular recipes on the blog.
• With a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can create a cabbage-themed side that can complement any meal.

Side dishes to serve with cabbage stir fry

• Rice dishes to pair with cabbage stir fry.
  • Serve with rice cooked over a stovetop.
  • Sri Lankan yellow rice.
  • Add more texture to your chicken fried rice, beef fried rice or even a teriyaki fried rice.
  • Serve with lemon rice.

• Meat curries and seafood curries to serve with the cabbage recipe.
  • My grandmother’s slow-cooked beef curry
  • beef teriyaki stir-fry(a quick and easy recipe).
  • Teriyaki chicken with pepper and onion.
  • Sri Lankan chicken curry.
  • Sri Lankan red chilli fish curry(Thalapath malu mirisata).
  • Sri Lankan devilled chicken or chilli chicken dry(Indo-Chinese recipe).
    
• Vegetarian curries and stir-fries to pair with this cabbage stir fry recipe.
  • gobi Manchurian(cauliflower Manchurian).
  • chilli paneer(Indo Chinese recipe).
  • Teriyaki tofu(easy tofu recipe).
  • Sri Lankan Beetroot Curry(vegetarian, vegan).
  • spicy green beans stir-fry(bonchi thel dala).
  • Sri Lankan spicy Dry Potato curry(ala theldala)

Use the search bar to come up with more options on the blog to serve with this cabbage stir fry.

FAQ: on cabbage stir fry recipe.

• Can we use curry powder instead of curry leaves? If so, how much do you recommend?
  
  • I would suggest NOT using the curry powder as the taste would completely change.
  • You can make it without the curry leaves or substitute with bay leaves.

• Can you substitute dried curry instead of curry leaves?
  
  • Yes, you can use dried curry leaf powder, but fresh curry leaves are the best.

What readers say and tips for the cabbage stir fry recipe.

Original comments here.

• “Added this to my usual tofu stir-fry, and it worked perfectly.”
• “Loved this basic recipe, but I added so much! Green peas, shredded carrot, Gardein Teriyaki “Chicken” strips, White onion, and mushrooms!”
• “Used the leftovers to make scrambled eggs, and that was so good!”
• “I added peas and carrots as well and served over some cauliflower rice! I added curry powder instead and some extra turmeric! Great dish!”
• “I decided to add a side of shrimp and rice with the same seasoning ingredients as the cabbage, and it was the ultimate.”
• “Added veggie meatballs and 1 tablespoon of butter.”
• “I added carrots, more chilli, and more turmeric 💜💜 a MUST try.”
• Keto recipe.
• “I added peri peri chicken and Mexican rice. Absolutely gorgeous!”
• “I added it to a Mexican breakfast and it didn’t miss a beat. 🙂 Yum”

More cabbage recipes

• Cabbage curry with coconut milk.
• Cabbage coconut stir-fry.
• Homemade cabbage and beef stew.

• Utensils and Appliances needed.
  • A chopping board and a knife to cut and prepare the ingredients.
  • Wooden spoons to stir the tempering and the dhal curry.
  • As you can see, this recipe is simple yet so versatile, and the best part is you can do this in a skillet like this or a frying pan.
    • Serving.
      • A medium-sized bowl or platter to serve the Spicy Cabbage Stir Fry.
      • Spoon to serve.

• Helpful Tips and variations.
  • Substituting ingredients.
    • curry leaves with Bay leaves, parsley.
    • Red chilli flakes with freshly chopped green or red chillies.
  • Variations.
    • Add some sliced sausages.
    • Combine with some leftover rice to make a cabbage fried rice.
    • Combine some eggs to scramble with the cabbage stir-fry.

Storing
Store and refrigerate in tight-lid containers.
Since the recipe has turmeric, any plastic container may stain; use a glass container with a lid to avoid this.
Use within 2 days.

Heating
Place in a microwavable dish with 1/2 a teaspoon of water and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Follow the same instructions to reheat over the stovetop.
You might have to add a little extra salt to bring back all the flavours.

Freezing– avoid freezing.

Stop food waste by
Any extra cabbage can be added to make fried rice with leftover rice, added onto your breakfast omelette or sausages, or scrambled eggs.

RECIPE DIFFICULTY – EASY

Ingredients to make the cabbage stir-fry.

The ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
Half a head of Cabbage
2 to 3 tablespoons of Oil
1 to 2 garlic pods sliced
1 large onion, sliced fine
A sprig of curry leaves(substitute with a bay leaf)
1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red chilli flakes
1/2 a lime

How to make spicy cabbage stir-fry

Slice the cabbage, onion, and garlic, and set aside.

Place the pan over a low fire(preferably a non-stick pan.
Sauté the cabbage until it wilts and no moisture is left in the pan.
Once the moisture from the cabbage has evaporated, maintain a low fire and pour in the oil(2 tablespoons).
Add the sliced onions, curry leaves, garlic with turmeric powder(1/2 teaspoon), and salt to taste.

Cook for at least five minutes until you see the cabbage edges slightly burn.
Take the pan off the stove and with the remaining heat.
Add the chilli flakes (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) and mix them into the cabbage stir-fry.

Taste and season with salt if necessary.
To further enhance the taste, drizzle a bit of lime juice and mix.
Serve warm over rice or your preferred main dish.
Try out some of the reader suggestions above to give this spicy cabbage stir-fry recipe variety.

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Spicy Cabbage stir-fry(Sri Lankan).

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

A Sri Lankan, vegetarian dish that takes less than 20-minute prepare.

You’ll want to try a Spicy chilli Cabbage stir-fry next time you spot this vegetable at the farmers market.

Print

Ingredients

• Half a head of Cabbage.]
• 2-3 tablespoons of Oil
• 1-2 garlic pods]
• 1 large Onion]
• A sprig of Curry leaves]
• 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric powder]
• 1/2- 1 teaspoon of red chilli flecks]
• 1/2 a Lime

Instructions

Watch the short video guide above to help you make the cabbage stir-fry.

1. Slice the cabbage, onion, garlic and set aside.
2. Place the pan over a low fire(preferably a non-stick pan.
3. Sauté the cabbage until it wilts and no moisture is left in the pan.
4. Once the moisture from the cabbage has evaporated, maintain a low fire and pour in the oil(2 tablespoons).
5. Add the sliced onions, curry leaves, garlic, turmeric powder(1/2 teaspoon), and salt to taste.
6. Cook for at least five minutes until you see the cabbage edges slightly burn.
7. Take the pan off the stove and with the remaining heat, add the chilli flakes (1/2-1 teaspoon and mix them into the cabbage stir-fry.
8. Taste and season with salt if necessary.
9. To further enhance the taste, drizzle a bit of lime juice and mix.
10. Serve warm over rice or your preferred main dish. 
11. Try out some of the reader suggestions above to give variety to this easy cabbage recipe.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 639Total Fat: 53gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 46gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 29g

Nutritional information on islandsmile is provided as a courtesy. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on the site. these figures should only be considered as estimates.

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