Quick Pickled Cabbage features in the Sides section of the SkinnyAsia 2 cookbook.

Fresh, crunchy, sweet and tangy, this Quick Pickled Cabbage is one of those little recipes you’ll find yourself pulling out of the fridge to add to all sorts of meals.

We first created it to serve with our Khao Soi Gai. Khao Soi is traditionally served with pickled mustard greens, but they aren’t always easy to find in Australia. This quick cabbage version gives you that same fresh, acidic contrast to cut through the rich coconut curry.

And it takes just minutes to put together.

What ingredients you will need

The complete recipe and quantities are in SkinnyAsia 2, but you only need a handful of ingredients:

Purple cabbage
Shallot
Rice wine vinegar
Fresh lime juice
Sugar
Fish sauce or vegan fish sauce or coconut aminos

That’s it. Mix the quick pickling liquid, toss it through the finely sliced cabbage and shallot and leave it for 30 minutes before serving.

SkinnyAsia2: Quick Pickled Cabbage — What you will need to make Quick Pickled Cabbage from SkinnyAsia2

Why Quick Pickle Cabbage?

Quick pickling gives you plenty of tang and crunch without the time involved in traditional pickling or fermentation.

The vinegar and lime soften the cabbage slightly while it still retains its crunch. The sugar balances the acidity, while a little fish sauce brings savoury depth.

The result is a fresh, punchy condiment that’s particularly good alongside rich curries and meats.

What to Serve with Quick Pickled Cabbage

We originally created this recipe for our Khao Soi Gai, where it takes the place of the traditional pickled mustard greens.

But don’t stop there. In SkinnyAsia 2, we also recommend serving it with:

Thai Fishcakes
Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Khao Soi Gai
Slow Cooked Massaman Lamb Shanks

Or add it to any meal that needs something fresh and tangy to balance richer flavours.

It can also be served on its own as a simple pickled cabbage salad.

The Quick Pickled Cabbage really lifts the Khao Soi Gai and helps cut through the rich coconut curry.

How Thin Should I Slice the Cabbage?

The thinner, the better.

A mandolin makes quick work of both the cabbage and shallot and gives you thin, even slices.

If you have a compatible Thermo cutter, you can also use the thin slice setting.

Dietary & Recipe Variations

LOW CARB
Use your preferred compliant sugar.

PALEO
Use compliant vinegar, sugar and sauce.

VEGETARIAN
Replace the fish sauce with vegetarian fish sauce.

LOW FODMAP
Replace the shallot with the green part of spring onion.

HALVED / DOUBLED
This recipe can easily be halved or doubled.

How Long Does Pickled Cabbage Keep?

Store your Quick Pickled Cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

This makes it a handy recipe to prepare ahead and keep in the fridge for adding a quick hit of acidity and crunch to meals throughout the week.

Get the Recipe

The complete Quick Pickled Cabbage recipe, including exact quantities, Thermo cooker and conventional methods, serving suggestions and dietary variations, is available in SkinnyAsia 2.

From the Testing Team

Bron P. – This was so yummy! A very easy side. I added it to a wrap for lunch -delicious!
Angie G. – The pickled cabbage was yummy Quick and easy to prepare. Went really well with Khao Soi Gai !!
Kylie W. – Yum, really did not expect it to be so good because it was so easy. Love the crunch and the flavour, great side
Julie H. – Really good quick easy and adds so much to a dish
Veronica B. – Easy and delicious!

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Want to know more about SkinnyAsia 2 cookbook?

SkinnyAsia 2 is a collection of Thermomix & Conventional cooking recipes. All of our cookbooks have a strong focus on Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Nut-free, Egg Free, Low Carb, Paleo, Vegetarian and Low FODMAP.