This easy 3-ingredients stewed (braised) cabbage with pork recipe is an Eastern European classic family favorite that is both healthy and hearty. This flavorful braised cabbage with pork makes the ultimate comfort food. The pork, cabbage, tomato sauce, and spices are first seared and then stewed until the meat and cabbage are tender and melt in your mouth.
If you love cabbage and you are looking for a new cabbage recipe to try, you are going to love this hearty and delicious braised cabbage with pork recipe. It is a complete meal in itself. You can make this cabbage recipe all year round. It is so easy to make as it cooks on the stovetop and it is then finished in the oven.
I grew up eating this stewed cabbage and pork dish and it takes me down memory lane whenever I cook it now for my family. It is a traditional Bulgarian recipe, but every Eastern European country has a variation of this recipe.
This stewed cabbage dish is a delicious way to elevate humble, healthful budget-friendly cabbage. It is a very healthy and well-balanced meal as it provides both protein from the pork as well as the daily vegetable serving with the cabbage.
The pork is seared on the stovetop until golden brown. The cabbage is then added and cooked in a light tomato sauce broth along with the spices until it softens and melts in your mouth. Finishing it all in the oven reduces the liquid and adds a delicious baked flavor to both the cabbage and the pork.
Why you will love this 3-ingredients stewed (braised) cabbage with pork recipe.
- Quick and easy to make – this cabbage dish is super simple to make! Mix everything in one big pot and then let the oven do all the work. It’s a no-fuss, easy recipe that anyone can try.
- Healthy!
- Budget-friendly – this cabbage recipe is very easy on the wallet as cabbage and pork are usually pretty cheap to buy
Ingredients and Substitutions
Cabbage – I use a head of cabbage. Chopping a head of cabbage will be more cost-effective, but you can save time by buying a bag or two of coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage.
Pork – I use boneless pork roast but any boneless cut will work, you can use boneless pork chops and cut them in cubes.
Tomato Sauce – Use your favorite marinara sauce. I love using this tomato sauce.
Olive oil
Seasoning – You will need salt, black pepper, paprika, and bay leaf.
How to make this stewed (braised) cabbage and pork recipe
Cube the pork into bite-sized pieces (approx. 1” cubes).
In a Dutch oven or a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork cubes and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides.
While the pork is cooking, chop the cabbage. You can do it by hand or I also like to use THIS mandoline slicer.
Pro tip: Add the sliced cabbage to a plastic grocery bag. Hold the top of the bag tightly and gently “punch” the bag a couple of times while rotating the bag. This will help soften the cabbage just a bit and it will ensure that it fits in the pot.
Add the sliced cabbage on top of the pork. Then add the tomato sauce, the seasonings, half a cup of vegetable oil, and water.
Cover it and cook over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until the cabbage has cooked down and softened. Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
At this point, the meal is ready and ready to eat but I’d like to make it even better and more flavorful by baking it for a little bit.
Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Pro Tip: If you are using a large Dutch Oven, you can now transfer it to the oven. Bake it for 20-30 minutes uncovered or until the cabbage begins to brown.
In a large baking dish, transfer the cabbage and the meat and bake it for 20-30 minutes uncovered or until the cabbage begins to brown. At this point, most of the liquid will be evaporated.
Serving suggestions for this 3-ingredients Stewed cabbage with pork
This stewed (braised) cabbage is delicious on its own but even better with a side dish! Here are some of our favorite sides that complement this cabbage recipe so well!
Easy No Knead Cheese Bread (Tutmanik)
Easy Potato Salad (European style)
The best way to store your braised cabbage with pork
To keep your braised cabbage with pork fresh for up to a week, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This dish makes for wonderful leftovers, as it will continue to develop a depth of flavor as it marinates in the fridge.
To reheat it – serve it in a microwave-safe plate and microwave it for a couple of minutes until warmth through.
Other recipes I think you will love!
Kufteta – A Traditional Bulgarian meatball recipe
Ground Turkey and Cabbage Stir Fry
Easy 20-minute Egg Roll in a Bowl
Stuffed Meatloaf with eggs and veggies
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Easy 3-Ingredients Stewed (Braised) Cabbage with Pork
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork cubed
- 1 head cabbage chopped
- 1.5 cups tomato sauce or marinara
- 0.5 cup oil vegetable
- 2 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cube the pork into bite-sized pieces (approx. 1” cubes).
- In a Dutch oven or a large pot, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork cubes and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides.
- While the pork is cooking, chop the cabbage. You can do it by hand or I also like to use a mandoline slicer.
- Pro tip: Add the sliced cabbage to a plastic grocery bag. Hold the top of the bag tightly and gently "punch" the bag a couple of times while rotating the bag. This will help soften the cabbage just a bit and it will ensure that it fits in the pot. (see pictures above).
- Add the sliced cabbage on top of the pork.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Then add the tomato sauce, the seasonings, half a cup of vegetable oil, and water. Cover it and cook over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until the cabbage has cooked down and softened.
- Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Pro Tip: If you are using a large Dutch Oven, you can now transfer it to the oven.
- In a large baking dish, transfer the cabbage and the meat and bake it for 20-30 minutes uncovered or until the cabbage begins to brown. At this point, most of the liquid will be evaporated.
- Serve and enjoy!
Great and easy to follow 👍