Hey guys. Excited to introduce you to this Jamaican Cabbage Recipe which is one of my favorite Caribbean recipes ever. It is a popular Jamaican side dish (along with Jamaican Rice and Peas) and with just one bite you will totally get why.
This colorful and vegetable loaded dish is super affordable and soooooooo simple to make, yet packed full of stunning flavor.
You start with everyday staple Caribbean ingredients – cabbage, carrots, thyme, and scotch bonnet chili and combine them into one delectable side dish that goes with everything. And I mean everything.
Related Link : Best Ever Jamaican Rice And Peas.
I know this Jamaican Steamed Cabbage and Carrots is mostly served as a side dish, but I happen to love it so much that I often have it as a meal by itself.…with a little bit of rice on the side.
Plus, you can stir fry any leftover steamed cabbage with a protein and serve it as a stand-alone meal. And I’ll even eat it for breakfast. Yeap, that’s how much I loooooove this tasty Jamaican cabbage dish.
It has certainly saved me on days when I am too tired to cook.
Jamaican Cabbage – Why You’ll Love It
Jamaican Steamed Cabbage comes together quickly and easily, and with just 6 simple and affordable ingredients.
It’s an ideal dish for taking to potlucks or serving up at parties, since you can easily double or even triple the recipe when you need to feed a crowd. Just make sure you have a big enough saucepan to make this.
Oh, and did I mention that it is low carb, vegan and a healthier treat too? This dish has got it all going on.
Related Link: Best Ever Jamaican Oxtails.
The scotch bonnet pepper adds both fragrance and heat to this Jamaican cabbage, but it is entirely optional.
Feel free to skip it if you prefer. Or if you want the flavor without the heat, throw the pepper in whole and then simply take it out before serving. So worth it.
Let me walk you through the perfect Jamaican Steamed Cabbage recipe, with all the tips and tricks you need to make this perfect side dish, so that you can make it aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall year long.
Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Ingredients
- Cabbage
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Thyme
- Vegetable broth
- Scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
How To Make Jamaican Cabbage
- Heat coconut oil in a saucepan, add onion and thyme and cook for about 5-7 minutes till soft.
- Stir in garlic, followed by cabbage, peppers, carrots, scotch bonnet if using, vegetable broth and salt.
- Mix well, cover, reduce heat and steam for between 10-15 minutes or until done to your preference.
Chef’s tip: Keep and eye on the broth during cooking so it does not dry out, if it does add another tablespoon or two of broth.
Jamaican Cabbage Tips
- This recipe is the perfect way to use up your leftover cabbage.
- To shred the cabbage, first cut with a knife into quarters, remove the inner stalk and then you should be able to shred it easily.
- You can use chicken or beef broth if you are not vegetarian.
- Feel free to use a milder chili or skip the chili entirely if you prefer.
- If you like your carrots a little bit softer add them in earlier, along with the onions.
How Long To Steam Cabbage?
Cook time depend on how small you chop the cabbage and the rest of the vegetables. Smaller sizes will cook faster.
My suggestion is for you to aim for between 10-15 minutes for the first time, less time for crunchier cabbage and the longer time for soft cabbage and softer carrots.
What Type of Cabbage Do You Use For Jamaican Steamed Cabbage?
When choosing your cabbage at the market, look for firm green and white cabbage. You want a firm cabbage choice, so the Jamaican cabbage doesn’t turn soggy or wilt.
I recommend avoiding soft cabbages, like Savoy Cabbage as they will overcook at this time. If you do use the softer cabbages, then you will need to cook this dish for less time.
Caribbean Cabbage Variations
This Jamaican Cabbage Recipe is really a great base recipe which you can customize any way you like.
You have just got to decide if you want to keep it vegan or not. Some of the different spices and proteins you can add in include:
- Smoked paprika
- All-purpose seasoning
- Grilled shrimp
- Crispy grilled fish bits
- Fried bacon chunks
- Shredded smoked chicken breast
- Sausages
More Jamaican Recipes
Hey Caribbean Recipe lovers!! Check out the selection of Jamaican recipes below and let me know what you think.
- Jamaican Rum Punch.
- Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge.
- Jamaican Vegetable Soup.
- Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage
- Jamaican Goat Curry.
- Jamaican Mackerel Run Down.
- Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe.
- Jamaican Sorrel Drink.
What To Serve With Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
Weight Watchers Points
There are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this Jamaican Steamed Cabbage.
Thank you for reading my Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you.
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Jamaican Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 small onion peeled and finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic purée
- 1/2 cabbage shredded
- 1 bell pepper sliced
- 1 large carrot julienned
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable broth
- scotch bonnet to taste (optional)
- 4 springs thyme
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the coconut oil in a pot.
- Add the onion and thyme, and cook for about 5-7 mins till soft.
- Stir in the garlic purée, followed by cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, scotch bonnet if using, vegetable broth, and salt.
- Mix and cover. Reduce and steam for between 10-15 mins or until done to your preference, stirring a couple of times during the process.
- Keep and eye on the liquid. If it looks like it is starting to dry out, add another tbsp or so of broth.
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Notes
Jamaican Cabbage Tips
- This recipe is the perfect way to use up your leftover cabbage.
- To shred the cabbage, first cut into quarters, remove the inner stalk and then you should be able to shred it easily.
- You can use chicken or beef broth if you are not vegetarian.
- Feel free to use a milder chili or skip the chili entirely if you prefer.
- If you like your carrots a little bit softer add them in earlier, along with the onions.
Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Weight Watchers Points
One serving of Jamaican Cabbage contains 0 Freestyle SmartPoints.What To Serve With Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
- Instant Pot Rice
- Jollof Rice
- Air Fryer Salmon
More Jamaican Recipes
Hey Caribbean Recipe lovers!! Check out the selection of Jamaican recipes below and let me know what you think.- Jamaican Rum Punch.
- Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge.
- Jamaican Vegetable Soup.
- Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage
Loving how easy this is to make and loaded with so many veggies! Such a great side dish idea!
This is clearly the BEST Jamaican cabbage recipe. The flavors are so intense and I think it’s because less is more. You can literally taste every fresh ingredient. Thank you!
I spent a summer in Jamaica before college and I miss all the traditional dishes! I’m so happy to have this steamed cabbage recipe and can’t wait to make it.
I never knew I needed Jamaican steam cabbage in my life, but after reading this it turns out I 100% do!!
What a flavorful side dish; this will be perfect with dinner tonight! Delish!
What a WONDERFUL side! I love how healthy and easy this is. I’ve made cabbage, but never with the sweet peppers. I will be making this for sure.