Add Some Cruciferous Crunch To Salads And Slaws With These 39 Napa Cabbage Recipes | Arena

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When it comes to all the different types of cabbage you can cook with, Napa cabbage is a little sweeter than the green and red cabbage varieties you might be used to. The leaves are also very tender, so if you're looking for a milder-tasting cabbage, opt for Napa when making stir-fries, salads, coleslaw or Asian dumplings.

Napa cabbage is a variety of Chinese cabbage that is oval or oblong shaped and has wide, flat, white ribs that run up the sides of the head. Green and red cabbage (regular cabbage) have dense round heads that are formed together tightly.

Green and red cabbage also have ribs that are the same color as the leaves and are usually tougher on the outside leaves. Even the texture is a bit different with Napa cabbage being more tender and less dense, while regular cabbage is crunchy and denser.

Related: Best Keto Cabbage Recipes

Make sure to look for a Napa cabbage that's firm to the touch, with compact leaves, that look fresh and crisp. Try to avoid picking a cabbage with any blemishes or brown spots and wilted leaves.

Related: Best Green Cabbage Recipes

Both Chinese cabbage and regular cabbage can be eaten raw in salads and slaws or cooked, but Napa cabbage breaks down more easily when cooked.

What to do with Napa cabbage:

Try one of these 39 best Napa cabbage recipes, like savory Sautéed Napa Cabbage, no-cook Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw, Ming Tsai’s Classic Pork Pot Stickers with Cabbage, Napa Cabbage Steaks and more!

Napa cabbage makes a delicious wrap for this Thai Chicken Salad.

Get the recipe: Thai Chicken Salad in Cabbage Wraps

If you're making this for lunch, remember to pack the dressing separately and add it to the salad when you're ready to eat.

Get the recipe: Featherweight Slaw with Chicken

These dumplings are so easy to make.

Get the recipe: Ming Tsai’s Classic Pork Pot Stickers

Bobby Flay says this coleslaw is great with just about any main dish.

Get the recipe: Coleslaw with Creamy Cumin-Lime-Dill Vinaigrette

Kimchi adds a tangy punch to these loaded baked potatoes

Get the recipe: Caramelized Kimchi Baked Potatoes

Scallions and fresh ginger spice the broth, while carrots, mushrooms and noodles make a hearty base.

Get the recipe: Japanese Vegetable Noodle Soup

Chicken Salad has a modern twist with Asian flavors, farro and Napa Cabbage.

Get the recipe: Asian Farro Chicken Salad

For a Thanksgiving spin, a cranberry buerre blanc dipping sauce complements the savory butternut dumpling.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash and Asparagus Dumplings

Tasty noodles include chicken, mushrooms, napa cabbage and spices.

Get the recipe: Longevity Noodles (Chicken Lo Mein with Ginger Mushrooms)

This main dish salad combines elements of a Chinese chicken salad with loads of crunchy veggies and Thai-inspired satay skewers for one delicious mashup.

Get the recipe: Asian Chicken Salad

Stir-fried with garlic, hoisin sauce, ginger and soy sauce, then finished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Get the recipe: Sautéed Napa Cabbage

Coated with spiced soy sauce and maple syrup, then roasted until beautifully caramelized on the outside and tender in the center.

Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Steaks

Simple to make in just 20 minutes, and full of the best healthy ingredients and comforting flavors.

Get the recipe: Cabbage Egg Drop Soup

Yummy, refreshing, vegan and an easy, low-carb recipe.

Get the recipe: Cucumber and Napa Cabbage Coleslaw

Related: Asian Slaw with Ginger-Peanut Dressing

This simple chilled salad with carrots, scallions and toasted almonds is made with crunchy uncooked ramen noodles, Napa cabbage and an easy, Asian-inspired soy sesame dressing.

Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Ramen Noodle Salad

So much better than the usual romaine lettuce used in caesar salads.

Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Caesar Salad

A quick 5-ingredient side dish recipe that's great to take on a picnic or serve alongside tacos.

Get the recipe: Healthy Napa Cabbage Salad

Thinly-sliced cabbage sautéed with mushrooms in a light and flavorful Chinese-inspired, stir-fry sauce.

Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Mushrooms

This comforting dish of Chinese cabbage is rich tasting and easy to make.

Get the recipe: Chinese Napa Cabbage with Glass Noodles

A hearty Napa cabbage soup with tender meatballs and tofu, that's loaded with winter vegetables.

Get the recipe: Napa Cabbage Soup with Meatballs

My vegetarian friends have commented that this is the best Buddha’s Delight they ever had, and it’s much tastier than the ones from Chinese restaurants.

Get the recipe: Buddha’s Delight

Related Post: 25 Tasty Fried Rice Recipes

A fun twist on cabbage rolls.

Get the recipe: Asian Stuffed Cabbage

Cool cucumbers, crunchy carrots, red bell peppers and Napa cabbage tossed together with a delicious citrus peanut dressing.

Get the recipe: Thai Crunch Salad

Napa cabbage is a hearty, low-carb swap for rice.

Get the recipe: Spicy Shrimp & Napa Cabbage Stir Fry