Cooking With Cabbage: Ten Cheap Meal Ideas

Myscha Theriault — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:33:40 +0000

One of the few items that makes the cut when pennies are tight enough to implement my survival mode produce list, cabbage gets it done. Financially, it's always a great price. It lasts longer than most other forms of produce, making it a good bet to avoid unnecessary food waste. And flexibility? Oh yeah, baby. Here are ten different ideas, several of them with more than one recipe option, to use this consistently cheap veggie on the home front.

1. Salads and Slaws.

Who doesn't need a strong recipe repertoire of affordable side dishes? Here are four unusual ones that have either made, or are about to be included in, my personal recipe cut. Asian style cole slaw, Greek style cole slaw, El Salvadoran cabbage salad, and a very intriguing sounding lime and peanut cole slaw. Got another great one? Don't forget to sound off below in the comment section.

2. Soups.

Soups are frugal enough in their own right. Start factoring in a budget powerhouse like cabbage and you are really squeezing a nickel 'til it cries. Here are one, two, three separate soup recipes featuring cabbage as a main ingredient, and a link to an overall cabbage soup recipe collection.

3. Various noodle dishes.

I'm sure you are all aware of some equally fantastic options, but my two faves are pancit and lo mein. Both cheap, both tasty, and both reasonably quick to prepare.

4. Stuff it.

Cabbage rolls are certainly a safe bet for feeding a crowd on a budget, and stuffing an entire head of it is apparently a popular option as well. Here's a link to a Moldovan version of this idea.

5. Pair it up.

Either as a side or mixed in for an overall skillet or crock pot dish, cabbage pairs nicely with brisket, hamburger or smoked kielbasa. Here's a link to an interesting sounding version of Norwegian Christmas cabbage that doesn't sound like too tough a way to jazz it up.

6. Sauerkraut.

Definitely short on ingredients. Use it as a side, or as item to dress up your gourmet hot dogs on backyard barbecue night. Here's a recipe link.

7. Kim Chee.

One of my husband's favorite things. He spent time in Korea during his military career and loves the food there. If you feel adventurous and want to give it a whirl yourself, here's a link.

8. Russian Pirozhki.

Cabbage and egg stuffed rolls baked in the oven. Pretty hearty dinner side, wouldn't you say? Here's a link to the recipe. (Yes, it includes a picture.)

9. In a casserole.

Loads of options are available, but here's a link to one of the more unique ones I ran across while researching for this article. It's paired with turkey breast and cranberries for a tangy, tasty and healthy one dish meal. Certainly one worth adding to your repertoire of things to do with left over turkey.

10. Egg rolls.

You didn't honestly think I'd forget, did you? I love these things, and the ingredients are dirt cheap. So trying it out at home shouldn't be a financial hardship. Here's a link to a recipe. Budget tip? Skip the shrimp, or consider substituting the smaller salad shrimp that can be purchased affordably in the frozen food section.

That's it, folks. Ten flexible ways to put food on the table and save your hard earned money. All with one powerful produce item. As usual, I'd love it if you'd share the recipe love.

Written by Myscha Theriault and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

cheap menu ideas

Cooking With Cabbage: Ten Cheap Meal Ideas