Black Folks Cabbage Seasoning
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Black folks’ cabbage is all about turning a simple, humble vegetable into a soulful, flavor-packed dish worthy of the Sunday dinner table. Rooted in tradition, this recipe shows how a curated blend of seasonings, butter, and broth transforms tender cabbage into something rich, savory, and satisfying.
With smoky notes, aromatic spices, and that signature Southern soul, it’s a dish that carries on the legacy of Black home cooking, where flavor, comfort, and culture come together in every bite.
Seasoning cabbage
Seasoning cabbage is what transforms this humble vegetable from plain to powerful, from simple to soulful. In Black food culture, seasoning isn’t just about taste. It’s about legacy, memory, and making every dish a reflection of care and community. I learned this from my mom and grandma, both legacy Southern soul food cooks who taught me that a pinch of spice, a splash of broth, and a touch of butter carry more than flavor… They carry history.
In our kitchens, seasoning is never an afterthought. It’s how we honor our ancestors, stretch simple ingredients into nourishing meals, and layer depth into every bite. Seasoning cabbage with onions, garlic, butter, broth, and a curated blend of spices is how we give this everyday vegetable its rightful place on the soul food table. Because in Black cooking, the seasoning is the story—it’s where the soul lives.
Best cabbage seasoning
Today, I’m sharing how to season cabbage the Black folks’ way, a method rooted in soul food tradition and passed down through generations. This is the ultimate, never-fail seasoning approach that transforms simple cabbage into a flavorful, comforting dish every time.
- Chicken broth: Adds depth, richness, and savory flavor that seeps into every bite.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the dish and balances the richness with a tangy kick.
- Butter: Provides a silky texture and indulgent, soulful flavor.
- Old Bay seasoning (the secret ingredient): Brings a smoky, unexpected twist that elevates the cabbage with bold, unforgettable ‘flava!”
- Garlic powder: Adds warmth and an aromatic base that layers flavor throughout.
- Red pepper flakes: Lend a subtle heat for just the right touch of Southern sass.
- Salt: Enhances and ties together all the seasonings.
- Black pepper: Adds earthy spice and balan
Do you season cabbage cooked or raw?
Seasoning cabbage isn’t something you can just sprinkle on at the end, because the magic happens while it’s cooking. As the cabbage simmers with the butter, broth, and spices, the flavors infuse deep into every layer, transforming a simple vegetable into a rich, soulful dish. Seasoning before or after won’t achieve that same depth. Cabbage needs to cook in the seasonings for the flavor to truly come alive.
Other seasoning combinations for cabbage
Cabbage is versatile and can be seasoned in countless ways. Here are a few other flavorful combinations to try.
- Garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and thyme
- Cajun seasoning, butter, and hot sauce
- Olive oil, curry powder, and turmeric
- Soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil
- Lemon juice, dill, and black pepper
Seasoning cabbage with meat
It’s not required, but many soul food cabbage recipes are seasoned with the addition of meat for extra flavor. Popular choices include ham hock, smoked turkey leg, smoked sausage, cooked bacon, or even turkey bacon. Want to try it that way? Get my Southern fried cabbage with bacon recipe HERE!
Avoiding burnt seasonings in cabbage
To avoid burnt seasonings when cooking cabbage, always ensure there’s enough liquid, such as broth and butter, in the pan. The moisture helps the spices infuse into the cabbage while keeping them from sticking to the bottom and burning.
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet with a lid
Ingredients
For the homemade cabbage seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth or use vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup butter unsalted or vegan butter
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the cabbage
- 4 pound cabbage 3-4 pound cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
Instructions
Prepare to cook the cabbage
- Start by cutting out the core of the cabbage. Coarsely chop the leaves using a food processor or a knife. (I prefer to remove and discard the outer layer of cabbage leaves before chopping.)
Add flavor: butter, broth, and seasonings
- Turn the stovetop to medium heat and add butter to a cast-iron skillet.
- Once the butter has melted, add the chopped cabbage, onion, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Old Bay, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes, remove the lid from the skillet and continue to cook the cabbage uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. Be careful not to let all the broth evaporate, as you want to keep the cabbage moist.
- Once cooking is finished, serve this soulful dish immediately to savor the flavors!
Video
Nutrition
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