This 3-ingredient chicken sausage and cabbage stir fry is one of the all-time easiest recipes. You just need a little shredded cabbage, your favorite chicken sausages (or other type sausage), and some olive oil and about 20 minutes to make an incredibly simple and nutritious dinner your whole family will love!
The great thing about chicken sausage is that it’s naturally lower in fat than regular pork sausage, and it’s full of flavor. When you cook it with cabbage, it turns the entire dish into a hearty, savory meal perfect for a cold winter’s evening. Serve this cabbage and chicken sausage with a crusty French roll or some baked rice to soak up every last bite!
Why you’ll love this chicken sausage and cabbage
- Just 3 ingredients - This is an incredibly easy recipe since it just requires 3 ingredients, one of which is a little olive oil! You really just need some cabbage and sausage, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes. It doesn’t get easier than this!
- Naturally low carb - Since cabbage is a low-carb vegetable and sausages are typically lower in carbohydrates as well, this is a great option for people trying to avoid refined carbohydrates and grains.
- Great for leftovers - The cooked cabbage and sausage reheat really well, so you can easily make a double (or triple) batch to enjoy leftovers all week!
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Cabbage - To make it even easier, use a bag of pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix from the store.
- Chicken sausages - I like to use red pepper spinach chicken sausages, but you can use any type you like.
How to Make Chicken Sausage and Cabbage
- Put the oil in a large skillet and heat for a minute or so until hot.
- Brown the sausage pieces in the pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and stir frequently until the cabbage is crisp, tender, and starting to brown, about 15 minutes.
- Add a little water or oil if the pan gets too dry.
- Serve hot.
Expert Tips
- Let the oil heat up - To get a really nice caramelization on the sausage pieces, it’s important to let the oil heat up first. This will give you those nice, brown edges that taste amazing.
- Try beef kielbasa - You can easily make this recipe with any type of precooked sausage, including different flavors of chicken sausage or even beef kielbasa. Just follow the same steps to caramelize the sausage slices before adding the cabbage.
- Season to taste - Most sausage varieties are pretty high in sodium, so you might not need to add extra salt. However, give the cabbage a taste at least once halfway through the cooking. Add more sausage if necessary.
- Add broth - If the cabbage isn’t cooking down very well, add a splash of chicken broth or apple cider vinegar to help it break down quickly.
Chicken Sausage and Cabbage Stir Fry
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ head of cabbage shredded or sliced thin, about 4 cups
- 3 Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach Chicken Sausages 90g each, cut in 1-inch rounds
Instructions
- Put the oil in a large skilled and heat for a minute or so until hot.
- Brown the sausage pieces in the pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and stir frequently until the cabbage is crisp tender and starting to brown, about 15 minutes.
- Add a little water or oil if the pan gets too dry.
- Serve hot.
Variations
- Add more veggies - This sauce would taste wonderful with some diced onions, garlic, or bell peppers. Shredded carrots would taste great, too.
- Give it a bold flavor - For a spicier or richer flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Turn it into a soup - This recipe would be a great start to a cabbage and sausage soup! After you sautee everything together, flood it with your favorite chicken stock and let it simmer for 20 minutes or so. It’s so simple and satisfying!
Recipe FAQs
What’s the best type of chicken sausage to cook with cabbage?
One of the great things about cabbage is that it can be served with a wide variety of flavors. It tastes just as great with chicken and apple sausage as it does with red pepper sausage! You can use any type of chicken sausage you’d like. The sausage will have enough flavor to season the cabbage on its own!
How long does chicken sausage and cabbage last?
After cooking, store the leftover cooked sausage and cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can freeze the leftovers as well, but it’s usually not necessary since this recipe just makes two easy servings. Be sure to microwave or saute the leftovers before serving.
What goes well with chicken sausage and cabbage?
This recipe is intended to be served as a super simple one-pot entree on its own, but you can easily take it to the next level by adding different garnishes or sides. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese for a delicious cheesy flavor. It also tastes wonderful served with a starchy side like rice, baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, or bread. We love to use this gluten-free white bread!
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Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.