If you’re a fan of my red lentil curry (RPL’s most popular recipe!), allow me to introduce you to its ultra cool cousin—creamy cabbage curry.
The humble cabbage is cooked into luxurious silkiness (you won’t even notice there’s 8 whole cups of it!), flavored with warming Indian spices, and simmered with coconut milk and almond butter to become a richly creamy and aromatic curry.
And don’t be afraid to save some for lunch the next day because this curry tastes even better after a flavor-enhancing night in the fridge!
Table of Contents:
1. Ingredient notes
2. Step-by-step instructions
3. Tips for making this recipe
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Recipe card with notes
You’ve been sleeping on cabbage
I’ve been on a mission to make cabbage more exciting and to help home cooks see it can be so much more than coleslaw.
Case in point #1: The Buttery Charred Cabbage from my cookbook Big Vegan Flavor, which was a hit at my restaurant popup with Avant Garden earlier this year (make it yourself by flipping to p. 401!).
Case in point #2: This new cabbage curry, which is creamy, indulgent, and has the perfect touch of sweetness from the cabbage.
Just ask Max—this is actually his new favorite RPL recipe, which is saying a lot because he’s constantly trying new recipes. Plus, Max is actually the surprise hero of this recipe.
After recipe test #4 (which was good…but we’re not aiming for merely “good” in the RPL kitchen, are we?) Max—whose culinary feedback is usually limited to “It’s good,” or “It’s nice”—said, “What about adding almond butter like you do in your red lentil curry?”
Fast forward to recipe test #5 and, lo and behold, the almond butter dramatically improved the curry’s flavor and texture. Let’s hear it for Max 👏🏽
Ingredient notes
Cabbage
The magic of this recipe lies in slicing it or shredding it about as thinly as you can, then sautéing until silky. This allows the cabbage to melt into the curry and lends the finished dish a subtle sweetness and texture that is lightyears away from the in-your-face cruciferousness of raw cabbage.
Substitutes: Good ol’ green cabbage works great here (it’s widely available and inexpensive), but you could also use napa or savoy cabbage (napa cabbage will cook more quickly). Red cabbage is earthier and less sweet, so I’d skip that.
Indian aromatics and spices
While this is by no means a traditional Indian recipe, it will dazzle you with its bold Indian flavors.
That’s because this recipe, like many of my Indian recipes, starts out with aromatics—in this case, garlic and serrano pepper—followed by a generous blend of Indian spices.
To keep things beginner-friendly and weeknight-friendly, I use a blend of ground spices instead of whole spices, and it works incredibly well here: red chili powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, plus garam masala at the end.
Substitute: This recipe calls for Kashmiri chili powder, which is a mild Indian red chili powder with a vibrant red color and slightly sweet, smoky flavor. Sold online or at South Asian grocers. If you don’t have it, use 1 ¾ teaspoons of sweet or hot paprika with ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or just 2 tsp of paprika and no cayenne).
Identification Tip: If you have red Indian chili powder at home but not sure what kind, taste just a tiny bit. If it’s really spicy, it’s likely not Kashmiri chili powder, so use just ¼ to ½ teaspoon of that to avoid an overly spicy curry.
Coconut milk
This is the secret behind the luxuriously creamy mouthfeel and indulgence factor. The fat in the coconut milk also helps temper the heat from the serrano peppers and spices, making for a well-balanced curry.
Shopping Tip: Buy full-fat coconut milk in a can, not cartons of coconut milk or “cream of coconut” (which is sweetened).
Substitute: If you want a lighter curry, you can use light canned coconut milk, or make your own: use ⅔ cup (160 mL) full-fat coconut milk with 1 cup (240 mL) water. Full disclosure: we tried the latter and the results were fine but not nearly as good as the original.
If you really want to avoid coconut milk, the best substitute would be a homemade cashew cream/milk. See the first FAQ for instructions.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas makes this cabbage curry a complete meal, adding extra fiber and some protein! If you want to make this dish even more filling, feel free to throw in a second can of chickpeas along with ½ cup (120 mL) of water, as there won’t be enough liquid otherwise.
Almond Butter
Thanks again to Max for his suggestion to include this ingredient! It adds an extra layer of richness and a subtle nuttiness that work in tandem to make the curry exquisite.
Trust me—having tried the versions without almond butter and with almond butter back-to-back, I can definitively say that the almond butter (just 2 tablespoons!) works like a charm.
Substitute: Cashew butter works well. If you have a nut allergy, sub with well-stirred tahini.
Step-by-step instructions
In a large sauté pan, heat up the oil over medium-high. Add the garlic and serrano pepper and stir frequently for 30 to 60 seconds.
Add cabbage and toss to coat in the oil and aromatics.
Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned in spots. Add the tomato paste and ground spices (red chili pepper, coriander, cumin, turmeric, salt, black pepper) and stir frequently for 2 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until they have softened.
Pour in the coconut milk, chickpeas, almond butter, and a bit more salt. Stir well.
Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until the flavors have melded together and curry has thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in the garam masala, lime juice, and cilantro. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for making this recipe
Slice the cabbage thinly
What I love about this recipe is that the cabbage really melts into the curry. There aren’t big chunks of it like you might find in other recipes. So be sure to slice the cabbage thinly, almost as thinly as you can. A sharp knife works great, but you can also use a mandoline (I love this handheld one and this larger, professional model).
Tailor the spice accordingly
I call for two serrano peppers in this recipe, which sounds quite spicy, but the full-fat coconut milk tempers the spice, yielding a curry with medium heat.
For the spicy lovers: Use 3 serrano peppers!
For the spice-averse: Use 1 serrano pepper or even a jalapeño pepper. If you can handle some heat, keep the membranes and seeds in; if not, scrape them out first.
Adjust the heat as needed
As the cabbage cooks, keep an eye on the pan—if the cabbage starts browning quickly or the garlic starts to get dark, lower the heat to medium and add a splash of water to scrape up the fond (fond = browned bits on the bottom of the pan).
Stir to prevent sticking (and add water as needed)
The curry will thicken as it simmers thanks to the coconut milk and almond butter so you’ll need to stir every few minutes to prevent sticking on the bottom of the pot.
Depending on how thick or liquidy you prefer your curries, you may want to add some water during simmering, about ¼ to ½ cup (60 to 120 mL).
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow these steps to make a cashew cream which can be used in place of the coconut milk:
1. Soak ½ cup (70g) of raw, unsalted cashews in water overnight, or do a quick soak by adding them to a saucepan, covering with water, and boiling for 15 minutes. Drain the cashews and rinse well.
2. Add ½ cup (120 mL) of water to a small-capacity high-powered blender (small blender jug, 32 oz / 1L or smaller) [see note below]. Add the drained cashews, 1 TBSP of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and ½ tsp kosher salt.
3. Blend for about 2 minutes, starting on low and gradually moving up to high speed. Scrape down the sides as you go and blend until it’s completely smooth and no cashew bits remain.
Note: If you only have a large-capacity high-powered blender, you’ll need to double the ingredients, as there isn’t enough liquid here to blend in a large container. A food processor can be used, but the texture won’t be as smooth. In a food processor, blend the ingredients for approximately 4 minutes.
No nuts, no problem! Sub with tahini!
I love it with vegan naan or the fluffy pita bread from Angel Bakery, but you can also serve it with rice. And voilà, you have a complete, balanced, and truly delicious meal.
But if you’re looking for a little something extra on your plate, you could serve it with a green salad or an Indian kachumber salad (sliced or diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions dressed with lime juice, salt, pepper, chopped cilantro, and a bit of garam masala or chaat masala, if you like).
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days (and get excited—this meal tastes even better the next day as the flavors and spices have a chance to mingle).
The curry thickens A LOT in the fridge because of the coconut milk, but once you heat it up in the microwave it will return to its original texture, more or less. If you are heating it up on the stove, you might want to add a splash of water to thin it out.
You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, but be sure to leave a bit of headspace in the container.
Defrosting tip: You’ll get the best results by defrosting the curry in the fridge first, rather than heating it straight from frozen. I love using these Souper Cubes to freeze leftovers in individual portions. You’ll likely want to thin the curry with a bit of water as you’re heating it up.
Did this cabbage curry make you fall in love with cabbage? Make my day by leaving me a rating and review below ☺️
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Creamy Cabbage Curry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (28g) neutral oil of choice (such as avocado oil)
- 4 fat garlic cloves (21g), chopped
- 1 to 3 serrano peppers, finely chopped (3 for spicy!)
- 8 cups (400 to 480g) green cabbage, shredded or thinly sliced (see Note 1)
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper (see Note 2)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder (see Note 3)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 8 ounces (227g) ripe tomatoes, finely chopped (see Note 4)
- 1 (13.5 oz / 400 mL) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 (15 oz / 425g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons (32g) almond butter or cashew butter (unsweetened, see Note 5)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 cup (16g) fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high for a few minutes, or until shimmering. Add the garlic and serrano pepper and stir very frequently for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant (don't let the garlic brown).
- Add the cabbage and use tongs to coat it into the oil and aromatics, tossing well so the garlic and serrano pepper aren't stuck to the bottom of the pan. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until tender, silky, and browned in spots.NOTE: If it starts to brown quickly, lower the heat to medium and/or add a splash of water to deglaze.Multitasking: While the cabbage cooks: (a) In a small bowl combine the tomato paste, Kashmiri chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and lots of black pepper; (b) finely chop the tomatoes and set aside.
- To the cabbage, add the tomato paste-spice mixture. Stir very frequently for 2 minutes, coating the tomato paste into the cabbage. If it dries out, add a splash of water. Add the tomatoes and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened and almost melting into the cabbage.
- Pour in the coconut milk, chickpeas, almond butter, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. The curry will thicken, so if you want a looser texture, add ¼ to ½ cup water (60 to 120 mL).NOTE: I prefer simmering for 20 minutes, as it gives the ingredients enough time to mask the coconut flavor, but you can taste at 15 minutes and check.
- Remove from the heat. Stir in the garam masala, several squeezes of lime juice, and the chopped cilantro. Season to taste with salt or more lime juice as desired.
- Serve with cooked rice or flatbread. NOTE: leftovers will thicken considerably in the fridge, so you may want to thin it out with some water on the stove.
Notes
- 1 small cabbage (1 ¼ to 1 ½ lbs / 570 to 680g) will typically yield this amount of cabbage once sliced/shredded.
- I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. If you’re using sea salt or table salt, use less salt, about half the amount, then season to taste.
- Kashmiri chili powder is a mild Indian chili powder with a bright red color and slightly sweet, smoky flavor. Substitute: 1 ¾ tsp sweet or hot paprika and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or 2 tsp paprika and omit the cayenne).
- This is about 2 medium Roma tomatoes. For a shortcut, you can use canned crushed tomatoes, but you’ll want to measure out about 8 oz / 230g.
- If nut free, use tahini.
Who knew cabbage could be transformed into something so velvety and luxurious?! Clearly not me because, woah. This hits so many notes: savory, umami, creamy, indulgent, flavor-concentrate. RPL is my primary go-to source for weeknight cooking and meal planning; this one goes to front of the rotation.
I agree, Paul! Thanks for the amazing words, it’s so great to hear you’re a big fan of this recipe!
Wow, this is incredibly delicious! Max’s idea to add almond butter was spot on. But really, it’s all the flavors and textures and the way they combine and sort of bloom in your mouth that make this so unique and delicious. I found 2 serrano peppers to be perfect. I also used lite coconut milk and still found it plenty rich.
Update! I had some of my leftovers for lunch and decided to add some fennel seed to help with digestion of the cabbage, and it was great! It went very well with the other spices. I think next time I make this I may chop up some fresh fennel to cook with the cabbage.
Thanks for sharing, Sue!
Sue, thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the curry.
I thought what no onion? but I trust Nisha’s recipes so followed the instructions – and it was great. I like cabbage anyway but good to find another way to cook it. Top marks. Thanks.
Maureen [UK].
Awesome, Maureen. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Simply spectacular! Umami, spicy, and nutty notes infuse this velvety curry to create the perfect one-pot dish. We were smitten with this well-balanced winner.
We appreciate your feedback and support, Callan. Thank you for leaving a review!
Wowza! What a delicious recipe, Nisha! You are a mastermind in the kitchen!! I loved this recipe, and so did my husband! Brilliant idea to add both coconut milk and almond butter 😋
Thank you for your lovely comment, Maneesha! It makes us happy to know that you enjoyed the recipe.
This was delicious. I’m eating it as I type. To me it tastes like chicken tortilla soup.
It makes us happy to know this recipe was a hit, Melissa!
I didn’t have the tomato paste, and this still turned out AMAZING.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, S!
Oh God, where do I begin? I received the newsletter with this recipe yesterday and it caught my attention because usually I don’ eat cabbage. I find it boring. I don’t hate it, I just don’t find it attractive. I read some of the reviews and I trusted the way Nisha combines ingredients so I said I must give it a try. The result? I thought my brain will faint because of the flavours! The recipe was meant to be dinner and lunch for tomorrow for me and my partner but we barely left anything for tomorrow! We just couldn’t resist it. So thank you for this recipe, in my opinion it’s better than the red lentil curry even if I love that recipe too.
Thanks for all of your support, Raluca! I’m adding this one to my recipe list for next week as we speak! :)
Yet another excellent recipe, i would perhaps add 3/4 can of coconut milk next time and add a second vegetable like red pepper. I used freshly cooked dried chickpeas which were nice and firm.
Awesome, Karen. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
This was so delicious! I loved the recipe!
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Carol!
I had a huge cabbage languishing in my fridge and you can only imagine how happy I was to find this recipe in my inbox! I had all the ingredients with the exception of almond butter, but I used the tahini sub and it was delicious! Using my food processor to slice the cabbage made everything come together all that much faster. I used one chili pepper for my “baby mouth” husband ;) and the heat was just enough for him. Great recipe and I have enough cabbage to make this recipe AT LEAST two more times!
We’re so happy that the curry turned out well for you, Faith. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe!
Delicious! Great recipe.
I realized I didn’t have chickpeas (how that’s true is a mystery, I usually have 5+) so I subbed white beans and they were perfect. I did 1 jalapeño & 1 Serrano & it was spicy (in a way that was nice) but I did serve with some yogurt as a side to balance the heat. Will make again for sure. Thank you for the wonderful recipe 🧡
We appreciate your feedback and support, Sarah. Thank you for leaving a review!
This was delicious and very easy. We made a big catch and have frozen about two thirds of it so that we can pull it out when needed! Delicious!
Hi Tyler, it’s great to hear you had success with the recipe. Thanks for the review!
This recipe is absolutely delicious and very easy to make.
We used two of the recommended substitutions: a can of tomatoes instead of fresh, and sweet paprika instead of the chili powder.
Will be making this again for sure!
Thanks for sharing, Bonnie & Parke!
I am super excited to try this recipe!
I love everything about it, except the cilantro (I’m one of “those people”!), but I know that it’s still gonna be great w/o it.
Thanks Nisha (and Max),
Pamela Joy
We hope you enjoy it, Pamela!
I would love to prepare this curry as in Germany it is cabbage time now, but I do not like chuckpeas. Which beans are the best substitute you think.
Habe a nice Sunday
PETRA
Hi Petra, you could use white beans if you like those, or some pre-cooked brown/green lentils. Enjoy!
Thanks, will try next weekend. Have a nice week!
THIS!! Is the receipe Investments been waiting for!!
We’re so glad you love it, Daniela!
Absolutely lovely.
I’ve always liked eating cabbage but have been a bit intimidated by cabbage. Nisha’s recipes are so detailed, I thought, what the heck, let’s give it a go, and I’m so glad I did. Shoutout to the *stunning* step-by-step photos for walking me through it.
While my kitchen is certainly not as spotless as Nisha’s studio, the curry turned out great. And like all curries, it’s even better the next day. Thank you, Nisha!!
Your positive feedback is the best reward for our hard work. Thank you, Josie!
I had some cabbage to use up and came to your site to find something. Great choice by me LOL (and you of course). This was SO good. Every bite was like a new flavor explosion. Even my teenager son loved it (and I can’t tell you the last time he willingly ate cabbage). We had it with rice but I bet it would be even better with naan.
That’s amazing to hear, Sheila! I need to try this one myself asap, it sounds so delicious!
I love your recipes and have even converted my very sceptical mother to your fantastic Big Vegan Flavor cookbook, but has anyone proof-read this recipe at all? Lots of spelling mistakes and repetition of steps.
Just to say the team are awesome and have already made corrections. I’m looking forward to trying this, and am grateful for the coconut milk sub suggestions, so few places do that.
Thank you for bringing the duplicate steps to our attention! Glad we could get that fixed.