24 Ways to Use Excess Cabbage From the Garden
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Wondering what to do with too much cabbage? Try these 24 easy ways to use excess cabbage from the garden, including soups, salads, freezer meals, and preservation tips. Learning to use all the produce you grow is a great skill to have to save money and capitalize on all your hard work!
Every gardener seems to have that one crop that suddenly explodes all at once. Around here, cabbage has definitely been one of those vegetables. One minute, the heads are tiny, and the next thing you know, you have giant cabbages taking over the refrigerator and rolling around the kitchen counters.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with excess cabbage from the garden, you are definitely not alone.
The good news is that cabbage is one of the most versatile vegetables you can grow. It’s budget-friendly, filling, healthy, stores well, and works in everything from soups to salads to freezer meals. As a longtime homemaker and gardener, I’ve learned cabbage can stretch meals, reduce grocery bills, and help busy families get healthy food on the table without much fuss.
Here are plenty of practical, easy ways to use up all that extra cabbage before it goes to waste.
Why Gardeners End Up With Too Much Cabbage
Cabbage grows beautifully in cooler weather and often matures around the same time. If you planted several heads thinking each one looked “so small,” suddenly you may have enough cabbage to feed the whole neighborhood.
The nice thing is cabbage stores longer than many garden vegetables, giving you extra time to use it.
1. Make Homemade Coleslaw
Coleslaw is probably the first thing most people think of when using cabbage.
You can make:
- Classic creamy coleslaw
- Vinegar slaw
- Sweet slaw
- Spicy slaw
- Apple cabbage slaw
It pairs perfectly with grilled foods, sandwiches, tacos, and barbecue meals. Here is our favorite coleslaw recipe.
2. Freeze Shredded Cabbage
Cabbage can be frozen for cooked dishes.
Shred it, blanch it briefly in boiling water, cool it quickly, and freeze it in bags or containers.
Frozen cabbage works wonderfully later in:
- Soups
- Stir fry
- Casseroles
- Egg rolls
- Skillet meals
3. Make Cabbage Soup
Cabbage soup is hearty, comforting, and stretches ingredients beautifully.
Add:
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Beans
- Ground beef
- Sausage
Garden cabbage makes some of the best homemade soup because it tastes so fresh and sweet.
4. Use It in Stir Fry
Cabbage cooks quickly and adds wonderful texture to stir fry meals.
It pairs well with:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Pork
- Rice
- Noodles
This is one of my favorite fast dinners for busy evenings.
5. Make Egg Rolls
Homemade egg rolls use a surprising amount of cabbage.
Mix shredded cabbage with carrots, onions, and protein for a delicious filling.
You can even freeze homemade egg rolls for easy meals later.
6. Add Cabbage to Tacos
Thinly sliced cabbage adds crunch and freshness to tacos.
It works especially well with:
- Fish tacos
- Chicken tacos
- Pulled pork
- Shrimp tacos
It’s healthier and fresher than iceberg lettuce too.
7. Make Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is one of the oldest ways to preserve cabbage.
All you need is cabbage and salt. Fermentation creates tangy flavor and beneficial probiotics.
Homemade sauerkraut is surprisingly simple and stores well in the refrigerator.
8. Cook Sauted Cabbage
Sauted cabbage is old-fashioned comfort food at its best.
Cook cabbage slowly with:
- Butter
- Bacon
- Onions
- Garlic
It’s simple, affordable, and incredibly flavorful.
Or check out this recipe for traditional Irish cabbage.
9. Make Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls are filling and freezer friendly.
Stuff softened cabbage leaves with:
- Rice
- Ground meat
- Tomato sauce
- Herbs
They make wonderful make-ahead meals for busy families.
10. Add It to Salads
Raw cabbage adds crunch and nutrition to salads.
Mix it with:
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Apples
- Sunflower seeds
Cabbage holds up longer than lettuce, making salads last better in the refrigerator.
11. Make Asian Noodle Bowls
Cabbage works beautifully in ramen and noodle bowls.
Add it to:
- Rice noodles
- Ramen
- Lo mein
- Peanut noodles
The texture stays satisfying without becoming mushy too quickly.
12. Use It in Homemade Soup Mixes
Freeze chopped cabbage in portions alongside carrots, celery, and onions.
Having soup starter bags ready saves so much time on busy nights.
13. Roast Cabbage Wedges
Roasted cabbage is surprisingly delicious.
Slice cabbage into wedges, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until caramelized.
The edges become sweet and crispy with incredible flavor.
14. Add It to Pasta Dishes
Cabbage pairs well with pasta, especially buttery or garlic-heavy dishes.
Try it with:
- Sausage pasta
- Bacon pasta
- Alfredo
- Garlic noodles
Cooked cabbage becomes sweet and tender.
15. Make Cabbage Steaks
Cabbage steaks are a simple, healthy side dish.
Slice thick rounds of cabbage, season well, and roast or grill them.
Top with parmesan, garlic butter, or balsamic glaze for extra flavor.
16. Blend It Into Smoothies
This one surprises people, but mild cabbage can add nutrition to smoothies.
Blend small amounts with:
- Pineapple
- Apple
- Banana
- Lemon
It’s an easy way to use a little extra without noticing the flavor much.
17. Add It to Fried Rice
Cabbage stretches fried rice beautifully.
It adds bulk, nutrition, and texture while helping meals feed more people affordably.
18. Make Homemade Kimchi
Kimchi is a spicy fermented cabbage dish popular in Korean cooking.
It’s packed with flavor and probiotics and keeps well in the refrigerator.
Homemade kimchi can be adjusted to your family’s spice preferences.
19. Use It in Potstickers or Dumplings
Cabbage is commonly used in dumpling fillings because it adds moisture and texture.
Mix it with:
- Pork
- Chicken
- Garlic
- Ginger
Homemade dumplings freeze beautifully too.
20. Make Garden Vegetable Juice
If you juice vegetables, cabbage can be included with:
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
It helps use large amounts quickly.
21. Add It to Casseroles
Cabbage works well in hearty casseroles.
Combine it with:
- Ground beef
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Cheese
- Tomato sauce
These meals are affordable, filling, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
22. Share Extra Cabbage
Sometimes the easiest answer is simply sharing.
Offer extra cabbage to:
- Neighbors
- Family
- Church friends
- Food pantries
Fresh garden vegetables are such a blessing to many people.
23. Feed Chickens or Compost Scraps
Outer leaves and damaged pieces don’t need to go to waste.
Chickens love cabbage, and leftover scraps compost beautifully for next year’s garden.
24. Store Cabbage Long Term
Whole cabbage heads can last for weeks or even months when stored properly.
Keep them:
- Cool
- Dry
- Unwashed
- In a root cellar or refrigerator
Cabbage is one of the easiest garden vegetables to store long term.
25. Turn It Into Simple Budget Meals
One of the best things about cabbage is how far it stretches meals.
During expensive grocery seasons, cabbage can help create:
- Filling soups
- Stir fry
- Skillet meals
- Pasta dishes
- Rice bowls
It’s one of those humble vegetables that quietly helps families eat well on a budget.
Tips for Using Garden Cabbage Successfully
Harvest Before Splitting
Overripe cabbage heads can split in the garden after heavy rain.
Remove Damaged Outer Leaves
Peel off tough or damaged leaves before storing.
Use Smaller Portions at First
If your family isn’t used to cabbage, start by adding small amounts into favorite meals.
Don’t Overcook It
Overcooked cabbage can develop a strong smell. Cook just until tender for best flavor.
Don’t Let Garden Cabbage Go to Waste
When the garden starts overflowing, it can feel overwhelming at first. But cabbage is truly one of the most useful vegetables you can grow.
Whether you freeze it, ferment it, roast it, or turn it into cozy soups and casseroles, there are so many easy ways to use excess cabbage from the garden.
And honestly, having too much cabbage is a pretty good problem to have. A garden full of food means your hard work paid off, and your family gets to enjoy fresh, nourishing meals made with love straight from the backyard.
Growing Cabbage
For ideas on growing great cabbage in your home garden, check these out:
Excess produce
For more ideas on excess produce from the garden, check these out:
