Napa Cabbage

Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis Vegetable

Napa Cabbage Vegetable

At a Glance

  • Category Vegetable

The Forktionary Angle

"Unlike green cabbage, Napa cabbage wilts quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully, making it a cornerstone in many Asian cuisines."

Definition

A versatile Asian leafy green, Napa cabbage features elongated heads with crinkled, tender leaves and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Ideal for salads, stir-fries, and fermentation.

Science: Water Content 92%
Storage: Refrigeration Up to 2 weeks
Usage: Kimchi 70%

Flavor Profile

The primary flavor notes for Napa Cabbage are:

Mild slightly sweet crisp

Chef’s Secret

Salt and press Napa cabbage for 30 minutes before stir-frying or pickling to remove excess water, ensuring a crispier texture and better flavor absorption.

Best Substitutes

Green cabbage

for cooking, firmer
Ratio 1:1

Savoy cabbage

for salads, softer
Ratio 1:1

Buying Guide

Choose heads that are firm, heavy for their size, and have crisp, vibrant leaves without discoloration.

Recipes Using Napa Cabbage

Side Dishes Potluck Occasion Inexpensive

Asian Flavored Coleslaw

A vibrant and flavorful Asian-inspired coleslaw, perfect as a refreshing side dish for your next Asian-themed feast or as a delicious complement to grilled shellfish, fish, or chicken. This quick and easy recipe features a delightful sesame seed crunch and a tangy, savory dressing that will tantalize your taste buds. Get ready for a burst of Asian flavors!

See Complete Recipe
Course Occasion Time To Make Preparation

Asian Cabbage Salad

This vibrant Asian Cabbage Salad is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for a luau or any summer gathering! Crispy ramen noodles, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds add incredible texture to this flavorful salad. Easily customizable – enjoy it as a refreshing vegetarian salad or elevate it to a hearty Chinese Chicken Salad by adding grilled chicken and peanuts. Inspired by a partyshop.com recipe.

See Complete Recipe
Time To Make Time To Make Preparation Easy

Asian Beef Noodle Soup

This vibrant Asian Beef Noodle Soup bursts with flavor and is surprisingly low in calories! Packed with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for a healthy and satisfying weeknight meal. Ready in under 15 minutes!

See Complete Recipe
Copycat Copycat Low Sodium 3 Steps Or Less

Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

Craving Applebee's famous Oriental Chicken Salad? This incredibly close copycat recipe lets you recreate the restaurant favorite at home in minutes! A former Applebee's employee-tested recipe, this vibrant salad is packed with juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing that will have you hooked. Easy to customize – try it as a salad or delicious wraps!

See Complete Recipe
Served Cold American Occasion Indian

Asian American Confetti

Vibrant and flavorful Asian American Confetti Salad! This picnic-perfect dish bursts with color and a delightful mix of savory ingredients. Easy to prepare and even better chilled, it's the ideal side dish or light meal for any occasion. Get ready for a taste explosion!

See Complete Recipe
Soups Stews 4 Hours Or Less Course Soups Stews

Bacon And Lentil Soup

A savory and satisfying Bacon & Lentil Soup recipe! This comforting bowl combines smoky bacon, tender lentils, and a medley of fresh vegetables for a delicious and healthy meal. Perfect for a chilly evening or a weekend treat.

See Complete Recipe
Dinner Party Vegetarian Dinner Party 3 Steps Or Less

Asian Slaw With Spicy Thai Vinaigrette

Craving a flavor explosion? This Asian slaw, inspired by Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert, Arizona (featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!), is bursting with vibrant flavors and a spicy kick. This isn't your average slaw – it's a culinary adventure! We've adapted Guy Fieri's recipe to bring you the most amazing, restaurant-quality slaw you can make at home. Get ready for perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and spicy notes in every crunchy bite! Perfect as a side dish for burgers, grilled meats, or even as a light meal on its own.

See Complete Recipe
Meat Cuisine Meat Weeknight

Asian Steamed Pork Meatballs Sesame Noodles Salad

Craving delicious Chinese takeout but hate the wait? This vibrant 3-course Asian meal is ready in under an hour! Enjoy juicy steamed pork meatballs (perfect as an appetizer or main course) served alongside refreshing chilled sesame noodles and a crunchy Asian salad bursting with napa cabbage, mandarin oranges, cucumber, red onion, and water chestnuts. A simple, flavorful dipping sauce unites all the elements. This recipe uses readily available ingredients and features a clever time-saving technique: while the meatballs steam, you'll whip up the salad and noodles! Get ready for a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying Asian feast.

See Complete Recipe
3 Steps Or Less 15 Minutes Or Less Preparation Course

Asian Tuna And Cabbage Salad

A light, refreshing, and flavorful Asian Tuna & Cabbage Salad perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner! This recipe, inspired by "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Glycemic Index Snacks," is packed with crunchy cabbage, succulent tuna, and a vibrant Asian-inspired dressing. Get ready for a delicious and satisfying meal that's quick to prepare and bursting with flavor!

See Complete Recipe
Time To Make Low In Something Grains Stove Top

Asian Fried Quinoa Delight

Guy Fieri-inspired Asian Fried Quinoa Delight! This vibrant recipe transforms humble quinoa into a flavor-packed masterpiece. Crispy quinoa tossed with tender Asian vegetables and a savory soy sauce glaze – a quick, healthy, and incredibly delicious weeknight meal.

See Complete Recipe
60 Minutes Or Less Course Vegetables Easy

Asian Chopped Vegetable Salad

This vibrant Asian Chopped Vegetable Salad is a delightful blend of sweet and tart flavors, perfect as a refreshing side dish or light meal. Inspired by a 1999 Better Homes and Gardens recipe, this salad offers a delicious contrast to rich proteins like grilled kalbi. The crunchy vegetables and zesty dressing create a symphony of textures and tastes in your mouth. Easy to make and even better the next day (though colors may slightly fade), this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

See Complete Recipe
Seasonal Beginner Cook Presentation Main Ingredient

Asian Vegetable And Chicken Wrap

Quick & Easy Asian Vegetable and Chicken Wraps! This vibrant recipe from Chef Cary Neff's "Today's Kitchen Cookbook" is perfect for a light lunch, satisfying dinner, or even a refreshing salad. Tender chicken and crisp vegetables tossed in a savory sesame dressing (see recipe #228999) are nestled in warm tortillas and topped with crunchy sunflower sprouts. Get ready for a flavor explosion in just 15 minutes!

See Complete Recipe
Shrimp Asian Seafood 60 Minutes Or Less

Asian Steamed Dumpling Filling

Unlock the secrets to unbelievably delicious Asian steamed dumplings with this chef-inspired recipe! Learned from a Benihana chef, this versatile filling works wonders with ground pork (classic!), succulent shrimp (a luxurious treat!), or lean ground turkey (our personal favorite!). Get ready to impress your family and friends with these juicy, flavorful dumplings – perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

See Complete Recipe
Fish Fish Preparation Very Low Carbs

Beautiful Borscht Salmon

Feast your eyes and tantalize your taste buds with this vibrant and delicious Beautiful Borscht Salmon recipe! Imagine rich, orange grilled salmon perfectly complemented by a vibrant raspberry-red borscht sauce, creamy white crème fraîche, and fresh green dill. This stunning dish is as easy to make as it is beautiful to behold. Serve with fresh haricots verts and lemon rice for a complete culinary experience. Perfect for a romantic dinner or an impressive dinner party, this recipe is easily adaptable for 2, 4, or the full 8 servings. Leftover borscht sauce transforms into a flavorful cold soup – a delightful summer treat!

See Complete Recipe
Lunch Number Of Servings Lunch Diabetic

Asian Turkey Burgers With Wasabi Sauce

Juicy Asian Turkey Burgers with a zesty Wasabi Mayo! This family-friendly recipe, adapted from Sara Moulton's weeknight meals, is packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make. We used a whole 32lb turkey to create these delicious patties, and you'll be amazed at how simple yet satisfying this recipe is. The fragrant blend of ginger, sesame oil, and cilantro will tantalize your taste buds, while the creamy wasabi mayo adds a delightful kick. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual weekend gathering!

See Complete Recipe
Chicken Occasion Number Of Servings Dinner Party

Chicken Spring Rolls

Experience the vibrant flavors of Asia with these crispy chicken spring rolls! Inspired by Tyler Florence's Zaar World Tour III recipe, this dish features tender chicken and crunchy vegetables nestled in delicate spring roll wrappers, then perfectly fried to golden perfection. A delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for a satisfying meal or appetizer.

See Complete Recipe
Holiday Event Thanksgiving Salads Main Ingredient

Asian Coleslaw With Peanuts And Mandarin Oranges

This vibrant Asian coleslaw is a flavor explosion! Sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy-sweet dressing combine with crisp cabbage for a refreshing side dish or light meal. Perfect for potlucks or a weeknight treat. Make ahead – the flavors meld beautifully after chilling for at least 3 hours!

See Complete Recipe
Vegetarian Soy Tofu Salads Cuisine

Asian Cole Slaw With Tofu Shiitake Mushrooms

This vibrant Asian coleslaw is a flavor explosion! Crispy tofu and savory shiitake mushrooms are tossed with a zesty wasabi-lemon dressing and crunchy napa cabbage and bok choy. Make-ahead friendly – prep the marinade and veggies in advance! Perfect as a light meal, side dish, or potluck contribution. Get ready for a taste of spring!

See Complete Recipe