A quick simple side that can help the main dish shine while still sticking out on its own. That is what I love about the Sautéed Onion Mustard Cabbage, takes minutes to prep and has subtle yet bold flavors which can be universally served.
(Original post date Feb 13, 2018 / Links and post updated Feb. 4, 2022)
Cabbage is a healthy and nutritious side dish that is a bit on the sweet side of the vegetable world. It can be used in salads, soups, casseroles, and so much more.
There is one holiday that cabbage is a star. Corned Beef and Cabbage are a staple in most American households on Saint Patrick’s day. But, did you know that what we serve on Saint Patrick’s day is not a traditional Irish Meal?
As far as we know, the Irish have always produced and traded salted meat up until the 19th century.
The Irish discovered that the cheapest cut of meat in America was actually brisket during their immigration to the United States. They cooked the brisket the same way they cooked bacon, and corned beef was born.
Adding cabbage was just an easy way to create the traditional side dish with inexpensive and readily available ingredients.
In Ireland, they consume salted pork and, while corned beef and cabbage are available, they are not considered traditional meals or as popular as they once were.
Why it is eaten on St. Patrick’s Day is because Americans choose to celebrate what they perceive as Irish customs on the Irish Saint’s feast day.

Health Benefits of Cabbage
- Approximately one-third of the daily vitamin C requirement is found in half a cup of cooked cabbage. Additionally, it gives you fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A and K.
- The fiber content of cabbage is 1 gram per 10 calories. This helps you feel fuller for longer, so you eat less. In addition to keeping you regular, it could help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and control blood sugar levels.
- During fermentation, cabbage makes natural probiotics that nourish your gut bacteria. Bacteria aid your body in fighting germs, digestion, and regulating anxiety.
- Inflammation has been linked to things like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Cabbage contains lots of chemicals that help decrease inflammation in tissues.
- Cabbage has been found to prevent certain types of cancer, according to several studies. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of cabbage are contributing factors to this belief. You can also credit glucosinolates, special sulfur-containing substances that turn your body into a cancer fighter.
- A diet rich in cabbage, especially red cabbage, may raise levels of beta-carotene, lutein, and other heart-healthy antioxidants.
- Researchers recently found that consuming a lot of cabbage lowers the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that participants who followed the Nordic style diet most closely, which included root vegetables, fish, apples, pears, oatmeal, and rye bread, were at least 38% less likely to get the disease.

Make Sauteed Onion Mustard Cabbage
- Melt butter in a large deep skillet. Place onions in the skillet with salt. Saute onions until soft about 2 minutes.
- Add mustard and cabbage to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Cover and allow to cook 7-10 minutes until cabbage is tender but still crispy.
Make it a Complete Saint Patricks Day Meal
Want to make a complete homemade non-tradition Sait Patricks day Meal?
- Nitrate Free Corned Beef
- Buttery Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
FAQ and Tips
Common Questions that get asked about the recipe, and tips to save you time and money.
- Do I have to use Red Cabbage or can I only use green?
As long as you use cabbage it does not matter the color. - Can I substitute yellow mustard for dijon mustard?
Recipes are just base lines you can use any mustard you like, just be aware the flavor profile will change. Recommend you add a little then taste than if you need more add more. - How would you reheat this dish?
It only takes a few minutes to reheat. You can place it in the microwave for a few minutes or on the stove top for 2-5 minutes until warmed through.
More Sait Patricks Day Recipes
Recipe for Sauteed Onion Mustard Cabbage

Sautéed Onion Mustard Cabbage
Equipment
- 1 Deep Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion sliced
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ head green cabbage sliced about 4 cups
- ½ head red cabbage sliced about 4 cups
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large deep skillet. Place onions in the skillet with salt. Saute onions until soft about 2 minutes. Add mustard and cabbage to the skillet. Stir to combine. Cover and allow to cook 7-10 minutes until cabbage is tender but still crispy.
- Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving!
Nutrition
Let’s Get Social
Follow Instagram | Facebook to get post updates and behind the scenes craziness
Pin Sauteed Onion Mustard Cabbage for Later

Looking For More Recipes
Be sure to head over to The Messy Cutting Boards Recipe Box where you will find family-friendly meals no matter what the season.
I love the mustard in this recipe. I think it would give it such a great flavour. Will be trying this recipe this weekend 🙂
Thank you so much!! Let me know what you think!! And remember recipes are only guidelines if you like a lot of mustard flavor don’t be afraid to add more if you want just a hint, add less.
Onion and mustard is one of my favourite combo – I know it might sound weird. Adding cabbage can only make it better.
No, I get it!! I love dipping my pretzels into mustard my friends think I am weird, but it is so good, and I add onions to EVERYTHING!! SO no, does not sound weird at all I get you!!
I love making cabbage for a side. Never have used mustard, but I think I’ll give it a try!
A lot of people add vinegar to the cabbage to add some tang so if you like zesty tangy this is the recipe for you!!
yumm sounds so yummy and healthy!
Thank you
I love how visually appealing this is! The purple makes it look so gorgeous! Looks like a great side dish to any meat entree!
Thank you so much!! I love adding purple cabbage it just makes it look more appealing and as we say in the food world people eat with their eyes first!!
oh wow never thought of adding onions or mustard with cabbage before but sounds so good. This would be a great warm slaw for hot dogs or even chicken now that I think about it. yum!
MMMM, on a smoked sausage instead of sauerkraut!! Your comment made me hungry!! Thank you!!
Haha! So funny! I love cabbage in anything and purple cabbage adds such a beautiful pop of colour….perfect for a cold winter day! I bet this would also be lovely piled high on a sandwich! Now I’m hungry 😉
Mission accomplished!! As a fellow food blogger, you know our goal is to make people hungry lol. It honestly is amazing piled high on a pastrami or corned beef sandwich on rye, I love also stuffing it in a panini on a cold day!! Hope you are having a wonderful Valentines Day!!
This looks like a really great addition to any meal! Yum!
Thank you!! It is and it is so easy it is perfect for weeknight meals!
lol at the word count! hahaha I’m always thinking the same thing, however this is a great looking dish. I’m going to give it a try.
Hahahaha!!! I have been waiting since I posted this post yesterday for someone to say something about the word count thank you!! and thank you for saying it looks like a great dish!!
This sounds like a delicious side! I will have to give it a try!
Thank you!!
I wanna try this for my son, it oddly sounds like something he’d like
I really hope he does!! My son loved it, but my daughter she doesn’t like mustard or cabbage, however, she ate it just to get her dessert lol so I would say I am 1 for 2 lol
This looks so good! I love this side dish idea. So many times I just make a main dish and am lost for what to make when it feels like it needs something more. This is perfect and I will add this to my recipes to try app!
Awesome!! I always try to add to all my main dishes what I served it with. There is nothing worse than sitting down to a meal and feeling like something is missing or even worse they just don’t go together. LOL I have been there and done that!!
I am starting to like cabbage. I will try this. I like the colors and knowing that the more colors you have in your food the better it is for you.
I learned a while ago that it really depends on how cabbage is cooked. Sometimes it can be a little bitter, which is why I like to season with something acidic it helps mellow out the bitterness!
I so love cabbage, it’s something that I enjoy on holidays. But I would love to make this on any night looks so delicious.
Thank you!! I love cabbage too, it is affordable so so diverse, truly amazing!
This looks so healthy and delicious! I am going to make it for sure over the long weekend 🙂
– http://www.allshethings.com
Thank you so much!! As I always say nothing better than things that are simply healthy and delicious!!