Stir-fried red cabbage with pear and five spice

Name: Stir-fried red cabbage with pear and five spice
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: Serves 4-6 as a side
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 large red onion, finely sliced; 3cm piece fresh ginger, finely chopped; 1 small red cabbage, shredded; 2 firm pears, cored and thinly sliced; 3 tbsp rice vinegar (or cider vinegar); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp soft light brown sugar; 1½ tsp chinese five-spice; Juice 1 orange, plus 1 tsp finely grated zest; Sesame seeds, toasted in a dry pan, to serve

By: Jess Meyer
Former deputy food editor, delicious.

Published: 1 Dec 21
Updated: 18 Mar 24

Test kitchen approved

Stir-fried red cabbage with pear and five-spice is a quick and versatile side dish. Serve it as a midweek side or even with Christmas turkey.

Prefer your red cabbage braised and tender rather than crisp and crunchy? Try our braised red cabbage with apple and mustard vinaigrette.

Serves 4-6 as a side
Hands-on time 15 min

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Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large red onion, finely sliced
3cm piece fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 small red cabbage, shredded
2 firm pears, cored and thinly sliced
3 tbsp rice vinegar (or cider vinegar)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp soft light brown sugar
1½ tsp chinese five-spice
Juice 1 orange, plus 1 tsp finely grated zest
Sesame seeds, toasted in a dry pan, to serve

Method

Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over a high heat. Add the onion and ginger and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the onion has softened and the ginger is taking on a little colour. Add the red cabbage and a pinch of salt, then continue to cook, tossing the cabbage regularly, for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
Turn the heat to medium, then add the rest of the ingredients except the sesame seeds. Continue to cook, stir-frying, until the red cabbage is tender and glossy (about 4-5 minutes).
Taste and season with a pinch more salt and/or vinegar if you like, then sprinkle with sesame seeds to serve.

Recipe from November 2021 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 122kcals
Fat: 4.2g (0.3g saturated)
Protein: 2.1g
Carbohydrates: 16.1g (15g sugars)
Fibre: 5.8g
Salt: 0.7g

delicious. tips

Stir-frying the cabbage keeps it firmer and crisper than braising. If you like your cabbage very soft, at the end of step 2, put a lid on the wok and turn the heat to low, then cook for another 10-15 minutes until soft.

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Stir-fried red cabbage with pear and five spice

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