Stir-Fried Cabbage and Carrots with Yak Butter
Crisp vegetables in a nutty, savory yak butter sauce, elevated with garlic and ginger for a quick, authentic Tibetan side dish. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs yak butter, medium, thinly sliced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp yak butter
- 1 medium, thinly sliced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cups, shredded cabbage
- 1 cup, sliced carrots
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp yak butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and bubbling.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened and golden. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 60 seconds until fragrant and garlic turns golden.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups shredded cabbage and 1 cup sliced carrots to the skillet, stirring to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender-crisp and lightly browned at edges.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Season with salt to taste. Cook for 1 more minute until flavors are well integrated and sauce clings to vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Cabbage and Carrots with Yak Butter 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 Stir-Fried Cabbage and Carrots with Yak Butter?
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 yak butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Cabbage and Carrots with Yak Butter?
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 Stir-Fried Cabbage and Carrots with Yak Butter 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.
Is Stir-Fried Cabbage and Carrots with Yak Butter vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better vegetarian dishes though.
