Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with Dr. Ben Kim's legendary Sweet and Sour Cabbage - a Korean-inspired dish that will make even cabbage skeptics fall in love! This mouthwatering recipe transforms a humble vegetable into a flavor-packed sensation that's both incredibly simple to make and surprisingly addictive. With just a few ingredients and less than an hour of your time, you'll create a side dish so delicious, it might just steal the spotlight from your main course.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Korean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage by washing it thoroughly and chopping it into bite-sized pieces. Aim for roughly uniform chunks to ensure even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Whisk the ingredients together until the sugar is completely dissolved, creating a smooth marinade.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. The pan should be large enough to accommodate all the chopped cabbage.
- Add the chopped cabbage to the hot skillet, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Cook the cabbage for approximately 5-7 minutes, allowing it to soften and slightly caramelize.
- Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the cabbage, ensuring even distribution. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking.
- Stir the cabbage occasionally, allowing it to absorb the sauce and become tender. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cabbage is soft but still retains a slight crunch.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more soy sauce or vinegar to balance the sweet and sour flavors.
- Remove from heat and let the cabbage rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot as a side dish, garnishing with optional sesame seeds or chopped green onions for additional flavor and presentation.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Cabbage: Select a firm, crisp cabbage head with bright green leaves for the best texture and flavor.
- Cut Uniformly: Chop cabbage into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor absorption.
- High Heat, Quick Cooking: Start with medium-high heat to slightly caramelize the cabbage and develop deeper flavors.
- Don't Overcook: Aim for a tender-crisp texture, keeping some bite in the cabbage to prevent mushiness.
- Balance Your Sauce: Taste and adjust the sweet and sour balance by incrementally adding more vinegar or sugar.
- Optional Enhancements: Consider adding minced garlic or ginger to the sauce for extra depth, or top with toasted sesame seeds for crunch.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This dish tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to prepare in advance!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 3g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
