Cabbage and Apple Stir-Fry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick stir-fry featuring shredded cabbage and julienned apple with ginger and soy sauce, finished with a touch of honey. This asian ready in about 20 minutes pairs vegetable oil, cabbage, apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 178 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 178 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup shredded cabbage and stir-fry 3 minutes until slightly tender.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/2 cup julienned apple, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Stir-fry 2 minutes until apple is crisp-tender.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
  4. Step 4: Pour sauce over vegetables and stir to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats vegetables evenly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cabbage and Apple Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cabbage and Apple Stir-Fry?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cabbage and Apple Stir-Fry?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cabbage and Apple Stir-Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cabbage and Apple Stir-Fry?

Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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