Chinese · Side

Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage

Wok-charred cabbage with dried chilli and vinegar.

14min
107kcal
2gprotein
Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage — Chinese recipe, finished and plated
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Ingredients

Servings 4
  • ½ head Cabbage
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Neutral oil
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 3 Dried chilies (optional)

Method

  1. Tear the cabbage into bite-size pieces and slice the garlic.
  2. Sizzle the dried chili and garlic in the hot oil for a few seconds, then add the cabbage and char it over high heat until the edges brown but the cabbage stays crisp.
  3. Add the vinegar, soy, and sugar and toss until glossy.
  4. Serve hot.

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About Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage

Vinegar stir-fried cabbage — often called hand-torn cabbage for the way the leaves are ripped rather than cut — is a beloved Sichuan-style home dish that turns a humble vegetable into something craveable. Tearing the cabbage into rough pieces gives ragged edges that catch the wok's heat and char, and it exposes more surface to soak up the sauce. Cooked hot and fast, the cabbage browns at the edges while the ribs stay crunchy, so every bite has both smoky char and fresh snap.

Dried chilies and garlic are bloomed in hot oil first to perfume the fat, then Chinkiang black vinegar, soy, and a little sugar are tossed in to glaze. That black vinegar is the signature — malty, mellow, and faintly sweet, it cuts the richness and gives the dish its tangy backbone without being sharp. The balance of char, heat, and sour-sweet vinegar makes this a punchy vegan side that wakes up a plate of rice or richer mains, and it comes together in well under fifteen minutes.

Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage: frequently asked questions

How many calories are in Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage?

A serving has about 107 calories — 2g protein, 9.9g carbs, 7.1g fat, 3g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.

Is Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage gluten-free?

As written, no — it contains Light soy sauce. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.

Do I need every ingredient to make Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage?

The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out dried chilies — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.

How many servings does Vinegar Stir-Fried Cabbage make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.