Name: Easy Thai Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp oil; 14 ounces green cabbage (roughly chopped); 6 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1/2 tbsp white sugar; 1/4 cup water

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This easy Thai cabbage stir-fry recipe is a healthy, gluten-free dish that comes together in just 10 minutes. It’s full of umami from fish sauce and works great as a quick side or light dinner with rice.

Thai cabbage stir-fry served in a traditional blue and white dish with sticky rice in the background.

Note: If you don’t like fish sauce, my vegetarian cabbage recipe is a great alternative with just as much flavor!

Thai fried cabbage is a quick stir-fry made with chopped cabbage, garlic, and fish sauce. It’s savory, garlicky, and slightly caramelized from high-heat cooking in oil.

A simple dish you’ll love

Recently, my husband and I went out to eat at a Thai restaurant. We ordered a few different dishes, and this one really stood out! Even though my husband usually isn’t a fan of stir-fried vegetables, he loved it.

That’s what inspired me to make this Thai cabbage recipe at home. It’s a very simple dish, but that’s exactly what makes it so good. It’s just simple and delicious.

Close-up of Thai fried cabbage with seared edges and garlic pieces.

The sauce is salty and savory, coating every bite of tender cabbage, with just enough garlic to make it seriously addictive.

If you want, you can use other vegetables you have on hand, like bok choy, Chinese broccoli, or even cucumber. Just slice them thin and stir-fry quickly over high heat. But traditionally, it’s served just like this.

Ingredient notes and substitutes

Take a look at the ingredient notes and step-by-step photos below, or skip ahead to the recipe card if you’re ready to get cooking.

Top-view of ingredients for Thai cabbage recipe: green cabbage, white sugar, fish sauce, water, and garlic.

Garlic
Green cabbage – Use green cabbage for the best texture, but white or oxheart cabbage are good substitutes if needed.
Fish sauce – Go for a quality brand like Megachef, which is less salty and full of rich umami flavor. Easily found in most Asian supermarkets.
White sugar – Just a small amount helps balance the saltiness and bring all the flavors together without making the dish sweet.
Water – Helps create a stir-fry sauce.

How to make Thai stir-fried cabbage

Step 1: Heat your wok or large pan over high heat. Add oil, swirl to coat, and toss in the cabbage. Stir-fry quickly for about 40 seconds and keep it moving, so the edges get a nice crisp without overcooking.

Step 2: Toss in the minced garlic and continue stir-frying for about 20 seconds, just until it smells amazing and turns golden.

Infusing minced garlic into Thai cabbage stir-fry.

Step 3: Drizzle the fish sauce around the edges of the hot wok, then stir it in.

Thai cabbage stir-fry prepared in a wok.

Step 4: Sprinkle in the sugar, give everything a few tosses, then add water to bring it all together into a light, savory sauce. Serve hot as a side dish or with rice!

Pouring water into a wok with stir-fried cabbage.

More Thai vegetable stir-fry recipes

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This Thai cabbage stir-fry is a popular dish at Thai restaurants, and making it at home is easy! If you liked this recipe, make my day by dropping a star rating and/or a comment below! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.