Sweet and Sour Melting Cabbage Recipe

Name: This Sweet and Sour Melting Cabbage Turned Me Into a “Cabbage Person”
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 medium head green or red cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 wedges with core intact; 1 cup orange juice; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed; 1 teaspoon salt

I’ll be the first to admit that I never thought of myself as a “cabbage person”—at least not until I came across Stephanie A. Ganz’s melting cabbage recipe. Her technique creates beautifully seared wedges with tender, buttery centers, while still keeping some crunch.

Even though cabbage can often feel bland or boring, her method really highlights its natural sweetness. So, when I found a few more cabbage heads at the supermarket, I knew I had to try her technique again—this time with a sweet and sour twist.

If you’re not convinced that sweet and sour flavors work with cabbage, you’re missing out. Red wine vinegar brings a delicate acidity with subtle fruity undertones, while orange juice adds sweet brightness and those unmistakable citrus notes. Maple syrup adds a hint of caramel depth, and butter rounds it all out, binding the flavors together. The charred edges of the cabbage add just the right touch of bitterness that melds with all the flavors above.

Cooked cabbage slices in a pan with a sweet and sour glaze — Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Tips for Making My Sweet and Sour Melting Cabbage

For the best sear, use a cast-iron skillet here, if you’ve got one. Sear the cabbage wedges in batches before braising them (rather than crowding them in the pan) to ensure each piece gets great char.
A nimble, flexible fish spatula works perfectly for flipping the cabbage wedges, especially since the centers become soft and delicate and have more risk of falling out.
For this recipe, I like to drizzle the sweet and sour sauce over the cabbage after plating. The sauce soaks into the charred cabbage ridges and ensures each layer is smothered with flavor.

More Fall Veggie Superstars

Roasted cabbage slices arranged on a red plate with a serving spoon on the side — Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Sweet and Sour Melting Cabbage

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 65 mins

Total Time 70 mins

Servings 4 to 6

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium head green or red cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 wedges with core intact
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Sear the cabbage:

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Working in batches, add half of the cabbage wedges to the pan, cut-side down. Sear, pressing occasionally to ensure good contact with the pan, until deeply browned on the first side, 3 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until equally browned, another 3 to 7 minutes.

Transfer the wedges to a plate, add the remaining olive oil to the pan, and repeat searing with the remaining cabbage.
Deglaze the pan:

Add the orange juice to the now-empty pan and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom with a spatula. Simmer over medium heat for 1 minute.
Make the sweet and sour sauce:

Turn off the heat and stir in the red wine vinegar, maple syrup, and butter. Stir until the butter has melted and the sauce is smooth. Return the seared cabbage wedges to the pan in a single layer, cut-sides down, and sprinkle evenly with the salt.
Braise the cabbage:

Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the wedges are very tender and a fork easily pierces the cores, about 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
190	Calories
13g	Fat
18g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	190
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g	17%
Saturated Fat 4g	18%
Cholesterol 10mg	3%
Sodium 371mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate 18g	7%
Dietary Fiber 4g	15%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 100mg	498%
Calcium 111mg	9%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 505mg	11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.