I cracked open a tin of anchovies packed in olive oil a few days ago and all week I’ve been slipping a fillet here and there in all my veggie side dishes. Anchovies impart an indescribable salty, umami base to any dish and they’re not fishy at all. Try them! If you hate it, you’ll only be out a couple of bucks.
Since Fitbomb and I were going to eat some 4505 Meats chicken beer brats that had been languishing in our freezer since our World Series party, I thought it only fitting to sauté some cabbage to go with them.
Time to make Sautéed Red Cabbage with Onions, Garlic, and Anchovy!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons ghee, coconut oil, fat of choice
- ½ medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 anchovy fillets packed in olive oil
- 1 medium cabbage head, roughly chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Equipment:
- All of my recommended kitchen tools are listed here.
Melt ghee over medium heat in large skillet. Throw in the sliced onions and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and anchovy fillets and mix to break up the anchovies.
Then, add the cabbage and stir to distribute everything.
Cover with a lid and lower heat to medium low and cook until softened to your liking. Once the cabbage is cooked to your specifications, add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Here’s our final dinner of brats and cabbage:
Super easy and tasty! Now I have lots of leftover cabbage for packed lunches…
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).
PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD
Sautéed Red Cabbage with Onions, Garlic, and Anchovy

Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ghee or fat of choice
- ½ medium onion thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1-2 anchovy fillets packed in olive oil
- 1 medium cabbage head roughly chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Melt ghee over medium heat in large skillet. Throw in the sliced onions and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and anchovy fillets and mix to break up the anchovies.
- Then, add the cabbage and stir to distribute everything. Cover with a lid and lower heat to medium low and cook until softened to your liking. Once the cabbage is cooked to your specifications, add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love cabbage! I especially liked this recipe because the flavor had nice depth and the apple cider vinegar was a nice brightner. This is not an overpowerong dish. I was so happy it wasn’t another sweet and sour cabbage dish. I served it as a side with baked pork chops and mashed potatoes. The anchovy is a very subtle adding a complexity of flavor I can’t put into words except to say that my husband said this cabbage is surprisingly good! I will definitely make this again. Keep it crisp tender!