How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (2024)

Home Blog Cooking Basics How To

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 10/13/20Updated: 01/02/23

5

/5 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Shredding cabbage for coleslaw, soups, or salads doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated! Skip the prepacked stuff and try one of these easy methods for fresh, perfectly textured shredded cabbage.

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (2)

How To Prep Your Cabbage

Rinse the cabbage under cold running water and pat the outside dry. Pull off and discard any wilted or damaged outer leaves.

Place the cabbage on the cutting board with the core end against the board. Using the chef’s knife, cut the cabbage in half vertically through the core. Cut each half vertically again through the core, creating 4 wedges.

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (3)

Position a cabbage wedge with one of the cut sides facing down onto the cutting board. With the knife, make an angled cut into the cabbage to remove the core. Repeat with remaining 3 wedges.

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (4)

Shred The Cabbage

With a knife:
Slice each of the cabbage wedges into shreds. Slicing along the vertical edge will make longer shreds; slicing along the horizontal yields shorter lengths.

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (5)

With a mandolin:
Use the blade of your desired thickness and carefully run the wedge of cabbage along the mandolin with the cut edge down. (I like this mandolin that comes with cut-resistant gloves.)

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (6)

With a vegetable peeler:
Use a vegetable peeler and “peel” the inside and coreless cut edge of the cabbage.

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (7)

Chef’s Tips

  • Use a sharp knife! It may seem counterintuitive, but a sharp knife is less likely to cut you than a dull one. With a sharp knife, you don’t have to press down nearly as hard cut, making slipping and cutting other things (like yourself) less likely.
  • Remember to also cut away from your body instead of towards. The motion may seem a bit strange if you’re used to cutting the other direction, but, again, you’re way less likely to cut yourself!
  • One medium head of cabbage makes about 8 cups of shredded cabbage.
  • If you’re not using all of your cabbage at once, you can wrap the individual wedges tightly in plastic wrap or add the shredded cabbage to an airtight container. Keep in the crisper of the fridge for 2 days up to 1 week.

Quick Coleslaw with Shredded Cabbage

A bag of coleslaw mix usually contains a combination of red and green cabbage, as well as sometimes sliced carrots or broccoli. Add whatever veggies you like!

This recipe is from my insanely popular Egg Roll in a Bowl.

  • 3/4 – 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 3/4 – 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 3tablespoonscoconut aminos
  • 1tablespoonrice wine vinegar
  • 1/8 – 1/4teaspoonwhite pepperor black pepper
  • saltto taste

Add the first 4 ingredients to a bowl, plus white pepper and salt to taste, and stir until well combined. You can keep it cool or sauté in a skillet. If cooking, stir regularly until the cabbage is tender, about 5 minutes.

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (8)

More Kitchen Tips & Tricks

  • How To Cut a Pineapple Easily
  • How To Boil Corn
  • How To Cut Watermelon
  • How Much Juice is in One Lime?
  • All About Lemon Zest + 4 Ways to Zest a Lemon

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (9)

5 from 3 votes

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways)

Prep:10 minutes minutes

Shredding cabbage has never been easier, so ditch the prepackaged stuff!

Print SaveClick Here to Remove Ads

6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 head cabbage

Equipment

  • Sharp chef's knife

  • Mandolin or vegetable peeler

Instructions

  • Rinse cabbage under cold running water and pat dry. Pull off and discard any wilted or damaged outer leaves. Place cabbage on the cutting board with core end against the board. Using chef's knife, cut the cabbage in half vertically through the core. Cut each half vertically again through the core to create 4 wedges.

    How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (10)

  • Position one cabbage wedge with a cut side facing down onto the cutting board. Make an angled cut into the cabbage to remove the core. Repeat with remaining 3 wedges.

    How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (11)

  • Shred with knife: Slice each of the cabbage wedges into shreds. Slicing along the vertical edge will make longer shreds; slicing along the horizontal yields shorter lengths.

    How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (12)

  • Shred with mandolin: Use the blade of your desired thickness and carefully run the wedge of cabbage along the mandolin with the cut edge down.

    How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (13)

  • Shred with vegetable peeler: Use a vegetable peeler and "peel" the inside and coreless cut edge of the cabbage.

    How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (14)

Notes

  • Cutting notes:Use a sharp knife. With a sharp knife, you don’t have to press down nearly as hard cut, making slipping and cutting other things (like yourself) less likely. Remember to also cut away from your body instead of towards.
  • One medium head of cabbage makes about 8 cups of shredded cabbage.
  • Storing: Wrap the individual wedges tightly in plastic wrap or add the shredded cabbage to an airtight container. Keep in the crisper of the fridge for 2 days up to 1 week.

Quick coleslaw recipe:

Take from my Egg Roll in a Bowl

  • 3/4 – 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 3/4 – 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 3tablespoonscoconut aminos
  • 1tablespoonrice wine vinegar
  • 1/8 – 1/4teaspoonwhite pepperor black pepper
  • saltto taste

Add the first 4 ingredients to a bowl, plus white pepper and salt to taste, and stir until well combined. Eat cool or sauté in a skillet. If cooking, stir regularly until the cabbage is tender, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 38cal, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 27mg, Potassium: 257mg, Total Carbs: 9g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Net Carbs: 5g, Vitamin A: 148IU, Vitamin C: 55mg, Calcium: 61mg, Iron: 1mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (15)

Meet Cheryl Malik

In addition to being a certified health coach, certified yoga instructor, and mom of 3, Cheryl is also the recipe developer, editor-in-chief, food photographer, and passionate foodie behind 40 Aprons. Having spent the last 10+ years as a food blogger, she's become known for her flavorful recipes, detailed instructions, gorgeous photography, and down-to-earth approach to food and cooking in general.

Read more...

You may also like...

  • Simple Sauteed Cabbage

  • How to Boil Cabbage (Easy, Buttery Boiled Cabbage Recipe)

  • Can You Freeze Cabbage?

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (19)Thomas M O'Brien says

    Thanks for the helpful tipsHow To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (20)

    Reply

    • How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (21)Anna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Glad you enjoyed them!How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (22)

      Reply

  2. How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (23)Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says

    I always thought my grandpa had such a unique way of shredding cabbage – turning the cabbage around and shredding off the sides. Glad to see he’s not alone!

    Reply

    • How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (24)Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says

      Sometimes grandpas know best. 🙂How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (25)

      Reply

How To Shred Cabbage (3 Ways) (2024)

FAQs

How to shred cabbage with a grater? ›

Shred cabbage with a box grater

(We like these flexible chopping mats that make pouring cabbage into a pot or bowl easy.) Then, hold the flat side of the cabbage head against the largest holes on the box grater and slide the cabbage down over the holes. Repeat until the cabbage is shredded.

What tool is best for shredding cabbage for coleslaw? ›

For culinary inspiration, use your stand mixer to try delicious meals like cabbage and jicama slaw and soba noodle bowl. You can also shred cabbage manually with a box grater, a mandolin or a knife.

How to finely shred cabbage in a food processor? ›

Turn on the food processor and add cabbage, one chunk at a time, to the feed tube. Press cabbage toward the blade, and repeat until all cabbage is shredded. That's it! Once you use a food processor, you'll never go back to the old way of chopping cabbage.

Why do you soak shredded cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

Can you shred cabbage with a potato peeler? ›

If you have ever struggled to shred cabbage just right for a recipe though, here's some relief. Budget Bytes, the Instagram account dedicated to “delicious recipes designed for small budgets,” shared that you can use a vegetable peeler to quickly and easily shred cabbage.

Do you wash cabbage before or after shredding? ›

How to Cut Cabbage the Right Way
  1. Wash the Cabbage and Remove the Outer Leaves. Run your head of cabbage under the kitchen tap, removing any dirt or grit by lightly scrubbing with your fingers or a cleaning brush. ...
  2. Quarter the Cabbage. ...
  3. Remove the Core. ...
  4. Shred the Cabbage.
Aug 11, 2017

How far ahead can you shred cabbage for coleslaw? ›

Can you shred cabbage ahead of time? If you want to shred cabbage to be used later, you can prep it ahead of time. Shredded cabbage can be kept in an airtight ziplock bag or Stasher bag in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Is there a tool to core cabbage? ›

The Microplane 2-in-1 cabbage tool easily removes the core from any cabbage. It is also a great way to remove florets from the stalk so they are ready to cook! No more struggling with sharp knives to cut florets off of stalks.

Can you use a cheese grater to shred cabbage? ›

Shred Cabbage

If you're making coleslaw or sauerkraut, you'll want to grate your cabbage. While you can achieve slender ribbons of cabbage by using a knife, it requires a lot more time and skill than you'd need using a box grater.

How do you finely shred Chinese cabbage? ›

Shred the cabbage into fine strips for salads, slaws, and spring rolls. Place the quartered cabbage cut-side down on the cutting board. Take your kitchen knife and make very fine slices across the veins. If you want longer strips, cut strips going from the top of the cabbage down to the base instead.

What is the easiest way to separate cabbage leaves? ›

Freezer Method

Pat it dry and place the head in a zip-top plastic bag and freeze. (If you have more than one head of cabbage, place each in a separate zip-top bag.) When ready to use, defrost the cabbage and the leaves will peel off easily.

How do you get water out of shredded cabbage? ›

Drain and dry the cabbage with paper towels, gently pressing to release excess water. Repeat with more paper towels as the water is absorbed. This method of salting leaves cabbage crisp but more pliable; it's easier to chew.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6106

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.