What To Do With Cabbage And Carrots

Cabbage and carrots are two of the most versatile vegetables you can keep in your kitchen, and there’s so much you can do with them beyond the usual boiled dinner.
 
Whether you’re staring at a half-used head of cabbage and a bag of carrots wondering what to make, or you simply want to stretch your grocery budget with meals that still taste amazing, these two veggies have your back.
 
In this post, we’ll cover what to do with cabbage and carrots, from quick weeknight dishes to meal-prep ideas that save you time and money.
 
Let’s get to it.
 

What to Do With Cabbage and Carrots: Tasty Ideas That Work

 
Figuring out what to do with cabbage and carrots is easier than you think because these two vegetables play nicely together in almost any dish.
 
Here are some of the best things you can do with cabbage and carrots:
 

1. Make a Classic Coleslaw

 
When you’re wondering what to do with cabbage and carrots, coleslaw is the first thing that comes to mind for good reason.
 
Shred both vegetables finely, toss them with mayo, vinegar, and a touch of sugar, and you’ve got a crunchy side that works with burgers, BBQ, or fish.
 
And here’s a bonus: cabbage and carrots coleslaw keeps well in the fridge for days, so it doubles as meal prep.
 

2. Stir-Fry Them Together

 
A quick stir-fry is one of the best answers to what to do with cabbage and carrots when you’re short on time.
 
Slice the cabbage into ribbons and julienne the carrots, then toss them in a hot wok with garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil.
 
Add protein like tofu, chicken, or shrimp and serve over rice for a filling meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.
 

3. Toss Them Into Soup

 
If you want comfort food, cabbage and carrots belong in a pot of soup.
 
Chop them up and add them to vegetable broth with onions, celery, and tomatoes for a hearty minestrone-style soup.
 
Cabbage and carrots also bulk up chicken noodle soup without adding many calories, which makes them a budget-friendly filler.
 

4. Roast Them in the Oven

 
Roasting is an underrated way to deal with cabbage and carrots.
 
Cut cabbage into wedges and carrots into thick sticks, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 425°F until the edges caramelize.
 
The natural sugars in both vegetables concentrate when roasted, giving you a side dish that’s sweet, crispy, and totally addictive.
 

What to Do With Leftover Cabbage and Carrots

 
If you’ve already cooked and have leftovers sitting in the fridge, here’s what to do with leftover cabbage and carrots so nothing goes to waste.
 

1. Turn Them Into Fried Rice

 
Leftover cabbage and carrots make excellent fried rice.
 
Chop them roughly, scramble an egg in a hot pan, add cold rice, and toss in your leftover vegetables with soy sauce.
 
That’s what to do with leftover cabbage and carrots when you need a fast lunch that uses up whatever’s in the fridge.
 

2. Blend Them Into a Smoothie

 
You might not think of cabbage and carrots as smoothie ingredients, but they blend surprisingly well.
 
Carrots add natural sweetness, and a small handful of cabbage disappears into the mix without changing the taste much.
 
Use them with banana, orange, and a splash of almond milk for a nutrient-packed drink.
 

3. Pickle or Ferment Them

 
Pickling is a fantastic way to preserve leftover cabbage and carrots and give them a new life.
 
Quick-pickle shredded carrots and cabbage in vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for a tangy topping that keeps for weeks.
 
Or go the fermented route and make homemade sauerkraut, which turns cabbage into a probiotic-rich side.
 

Tips for Cooking Cabbage and Carrots Together

 
Knowing what to do with cabbage and carrots is one thing, but getting the cooking right is another.
 
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
 

1. Watch Your Cooking Times

 
Carrots take longer to cook than cabbage, so if you’re cooking them together in one pan, add carrots first.
 
Shredded cabbage cooks in a few minutes, so save it for the last step to keep some crunch.
 

2. Slice Evenly

 
Cut cabbage and carrots into similar sizes so everything cooks at the same rate.
 
That’s a small step that makes a big difference when you’re cooking cabbage and carrots together.
 

3. Season Boldly

 
These two vegetables absorb flavors beautifully, so don’t be shy with garlic, ginger, vinegar, lemon, or your favorite spices.
 
A simple squeeze of lemon or lime at the end of cooking brightens everything up.
 

So, What to Do With Cabbage and Carrots?

 
Cabbage and carrots can be turned into everything from creamy coleslaw and crispy stir-fry to roasted sides and quick pickles.
 
There are endless ways to use up these two vegetables, and most of them are cheap, easy, and fast.
 
Whether you’re cooking them fresh or figuring out what to do with leftover cabbage and carrots in your fridge, you now have plenty of ideas to work with.
 
So grab that cabbage and those carrots, and get cooking.