Easy Cabbage Stir Fry

Name: Easy Cabbage Stir Fry
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp neutral vegetable oil (peanut or canola work beautifully); 2 clove garlic cloves, minced fine (fresh is essential here); 1 lb fresh cabbage, shredded into uniform strips; 1 tbsp light soy sauce (not dark or thick); 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing preferred, dry sherry as substitute)

Classic Cantonese Stir-Fried Cabbage with Garlic

This is the kind of simple, elegant dish that showcases a chef's ability to transform humble ingredients into something extraordinary. With just a few pantry staples and proper wok technique, you'll create tender-crisp cabbage infused with aromatic garlic and the complex flavors of soy and rice wine.

ChineseAsianDinnerVegetarianQuick Meals

Prep5 min

Cook5 min

Total10 min

Servings4

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

1 tbspneutral vegetable oil (peanut or canola work beautifully)
2 clovegarlic cloves, minced fine (fresh is essential here)
1 lbfresh cabbage, shredded into uniform strips
1 tbsplight soy sauce (not dark or thick)
1 tbspChinese cooking wine (Shaoxing preferred, dry sherry as substitute)

Instructions

Heat your wok or large skillet over medium heat until it just begins to shimmer with that telltale haze. Add the oil and swirl to coat the surface. Drop in the minced garlic and watch it carefully—you want it to sizzle immediately and turn golden at the edges, releasing that wonderful aroma. This happens fast, just 3-5 seconds, so stay focused.
⏱ 5 sec
Quickly add all the shredded cabbage to the wok—it will seem like a mountain at first, but don't worry. Using your wok spatula or wooden spoon, toss the cabbage to coat every strand with the fragrant garlic oil. Cover the wok and let the cabbage steam in its own moisture for exactly 1 minute, allowing it to wilt while retaining that essential crunch.
⏱ 1 min
Remove the lid and drizzle the soy sauce over the cabbage, tossing constantly for 1 minute to distribute evenly. Now increase the heat to high—this is where the magic happens. Add the cooking wine, which will sizzle and create aromatic steam. Stir-fry vigorously, keeping everything moving in the wok, until the cabbage reaches that perfect tender-crisp texture with slightly caramelized edges, about 2 minutes total.
⏱ 3 min