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Jamaican cabbage recipe: easy Jamaican steamed cabbage

a bowl full of Jamaican cabbage: This Easy Jamaican Steamed Cabbage is a flavorful, healthy side dish that's quick to prepare and packed with vibrant colors and spices. Featuring tender cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, and a touch of heat from scotch bonnet, this dish brings authentic Caribbean flavors to your table in no time. Perfect for weeknight meals or as a delicious complement to your favorite Jamaican dishes!
This Easy Jamaican Steamed Cabbage is a flavorful, healthy side dish that's quick to prepare and packed with vibrant colors and spices. Featuring tender cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, and a touch of heat from scotch bonnet, this dish brings authentic Caribbean flavors to your table in no time. Perfect for weeknight meals or as a delicious complement to your favorite Jamaican dishes!
Munchyesta.com
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Serving Size 4 people

Ingredients

Jamaican cabbage recipe ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil (30 ml)
  • 1 small onion sliced (about 1/2 cup or 75 g)
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped (about 1 tablespoon or 12 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (about 1 g)
  • ½ a head of a VERY large white cabbage sliced (about 4 cups or 500 g)
  • 1 medium carrot julienned (about 1/2 cup or 60 g)
  • 1 red pepper sliced finely (about 1 cup or 150 g)
  • 1 yellow pepper sliced finely (about 1 cup or 150 g)
  • ½ scotch bonnet minced (or use ¼ teaspoon chili powder) (about 5 g)
  • ¼ cup water (60 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon all-round seasoning (about 4 g)
  • 1 tablespoon dairy-free butter or coconut oil (15 g)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (about 2 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (about 3 g) adjust to taste

Instructions

How to make cabbage and carrots Jamaican style

  • Heat the coconut oil in a pan over medium heat, then sauté the onion, garlic, and thyme until softened and fragrant.
  • Add the cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and minced scotch bonnet to the pan. Stir to combine. It may seem like a lot at first, but the cabbage will shrink as it cooks.
  • Keep stirring and folding the vegetables until the cabbage has reduced in volume, which should take about 5 minutes.
  • Once the cabbage has softened, reduce the heat and pour in the water to help steam the vegetables.
  • Cover the pan with a lid and allow it to steam for 10-15 minutes, depending on your preference for softer or crunchier cabbage.
  • Remove the lid, then stir in the all-purpose seasoning, black pepper, butter or coconut oil, and salt. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
  • Serve and enjoy this flavorful Jamaican cabbage dish!

Instant pot Jamaican cabbage Instructions:

  • Sauté the Aromatics: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the coconut oil. Once the oil has melted, add the sliced onion, chopped garlic, and thyme. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and fragrant.
  • Add the Vegetables: Add the sliced cabbage, julienned carrot, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced scotch bonnet (or chili powder) to the pot. Stir well to combine. The pot may seem full, but the cabbage will shrink as it cooks.
  • Deglaze and Steam: Pour in ¼ cup of water, and gently stir to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the Sealing position. Select the Pressure Cook or Manual mode and set the cooking time to 2 minutes on High Pressure.
  • Quick Release: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a Quick Release by turning the valve to the Venting position to release the steam.
  • Season and Stir: Remove the lid and stir in the all-purpose seasoning, black pepper, dairy-free butter or coconut oil, and salt. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Serve this flavorful Jamaican cabbage straight from the Instant Pot and enjoy!
  • This method reduces cook time significantly while still allowing the cabbage to retain its flavor and texture.

Notes

Use Homemade All-Round Seasoning

   - Elevate the flavor of your Jamaican cabbage by using a homemade all-purpose seasoning blend. This blend not only enhances the taste but also allows you to control the ingredients and avoid any preservatives or additives found in store-bought versions. Here’s a quick recipe for a delicious blend:
 Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (7g)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic granules (8g)
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley (4g)
  • 1½ teaspoons black pepper (3g)
  • 1½ teaspoons onion powder (3g)
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme (7g)
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder (1.25g)
  • ⅛ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (12.5g) or raw cane sugar
  • ½ tablespoon salt (9g)
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Store your all-purpose seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. When cooking, add a couple of teaspoons to the cabbage to enhance its flavor profile with layers of smoky, herby, and slightly sweet notes.
•Freezing Leftovers: If you have leftover cooked cabbage, you can freeze it. Just be sure to use freezer-safe containers.
•Add More Water if Needed: If the cabbage seems too dry, feel free to add more water than the ¼ cup suggested.
•Reheating: Thaw frozen cabbage first, then reheat it in the microwave for a few minutes.
•Cabbage Freshness: Cooked cabbage can go bad quickly and may develop a bitter taste. Store it in the fridge and be sure to eat it by the next day.
•Scotch Bonnet is Optional: If you don’t want any heat, feel free to skip the scotch bonnet or use chili powder for a milder option.
•Thyme Options: You can use dried thyme instead of fresh thyme sprigs, or even a mix of both.
•Steaming Time: Let the cabbage steam fully for 15 minutes—it’s worth the wait to get the right texture.
•Avoid Leafy Cabbages: Don’t use varieties like savoy or bok choy, as they will become mushy when cooked. Jamaican steamed cabbage should have a firmer texture.