You probably know that a good head of cabbage is firm, heavy for its size, and free of blemishes and wilted leaves. In addition, red, green and napa cabbage should have tightly packed leaves. Choosing a cabbage is straightforward, but do you know how to store it? This guide can help you prevent spoilage, reduce food waste and that saves you money!
Good to know: During the winter, cabbage makes a suitable stand-in for leafy greens, offering freshness and crispness. Try shredded cabbage instead of chopped lettuce in tacos, nourish bowls or pitas.
Cabbage storage tips
Cabbage is one of the best healthy buys at the grocery store, and because it’s a long-lasting veggie, there’s less chance it will go to waste. Here are some storage tips to maximize the freshness of cabbage.
Raw red, green or Savoy cabbage: When stored in a vented plastic bag or moisture-proof bag, these types of cabbage will keep for one to two months in the fridge.
Raw napa cabbage (also called Chinese cabbage or sui choy): Napa cabbage will only last for four to five days in the fridge. Store it in a vented plastic (or moisture-proof) bag.
TIP: Don’t wash or cut cabbage until you’re ready to use it. Once it’s cut, use cabbage within three days, or cook and freeze it for use later.
Pre-shredded cabbage: Store shredded cabbage in its original packaging in the fridge and use it by the best-before date.
TIP: Minimize food waste by using up your more perishable veggies early in the week, and your longer-lasting veggies, like a whole cabbage, later in the week.
Cooked cabbage (all types): Store cooked cabbage in the fridge in an airtight container and use it within three to five days. You can also freeze cooked cabbage in an airtight container for up to 10 months.
TIP: Once thawed, cooked cabbage will keep in the fridge for three to four days. It’s best used in cooked dishes.
5 ways to use leftover cooked cabbage
To help keep your food budget in check, consider the many ways you can use budget-friendly cabbage in your meal plans, including leftover cooked cabbage.
- Sauté finely chopped cooked cabbage in a little butter and enjoy it as a side dish.
- Finely chop cooked cabbage and use it to make stuffing for dumplings.
- Add cooked cabbage to a veggie curry.
- Try “Irish potatoes,” also known as champ or colcannon: add chopped cabbage to mashed potatoes.
- Add chopped cooked cabbage to canned soups for a veggie boost.
Nutrition hack: One cup of cooked cabbage provides 60% of the daily value for vitamin C, which boosts the iron we absorb from plant-based foods and helps to keep our immune system in tip-top shape.
Want more tips? Read: 3 Fabulous Ways to Enjoy Cabbage.
Want to grow your own cabbage? Read: How to Start a Vegetable Garden.
