Herby Cabbage in Parmesan Broth (Print)

Tender cabbage simmered in savory parmesan broth with fresh herbs for a comforting, aromatic vegetarian side dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium green cabbage, cored and cut into 8 wedges
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Broth

04 - 4 cups vegetable broth
05 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Herbs and Seasonings

07 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - Salt to taste

→ Finishing

13 - Extra chopped fresh herbs for garnish
14 - Extra grated Parmesan for serving

# Directions:

01 - Melt butter in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
02 - Arrange cabbage wedges in the pot. Pour in vegetable broth and add bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
03 - Cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes, turning cabbage wedges once halfway through, until tender but still intact.
04 - Remove lid and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until cheese melts and broth becomes creamy. Discard bay leaf.
05 - Taste broth and adjust salt as needed. Stir in parsley and chives.
06 - Ladle cabbage wedges into shallow bowls with broth. Garnish with extra fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cabbage becomes almost silky without losing its structure, and that Parmesan broth is secretly addictive in the best way.
  • It feels fancy enough for guests but simple enough for a quiet Tuesday night when you need something warm and real.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you're not sacrificing flavor for dietary choices.
02 -
  • Don't skip turning the cabbage halfway through cooking—the side facing down gets softer and more flavorful, so rotation ensures even tenderness.
  • Add the fresh herbs at the very end; cooking them longer than a few minutes will turn them dull and muddy, which defeats the entire purpose of including them.
03 -
  • Make the broth base a few hours ahead and refrigerate it, then reheat gently and add the fresh herbs just before serving for maximum flavor and convenience.
  • If your Parmesan broth seems too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate all that savory richness.
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