African Fried Cabbage Recipe

Published on Jan 31, 2023. Updated on Aug 5, 2026. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. — Leave a Comment

This African Fried Cabbage Recipe is so flavorful and delicious that you won’t be able to stop eating it! You can add your favorite veggies and proteins to customize it to your liking.

African Fried Cabbage ready to eat

I like to add other veggies like carrots and spring onions and garnish with shrimp, just for variety’s sake. You can even add shredded chicken or beef to make it even more filling and increase your protein intake.

The steps to make this are similar to our popular cauliflower jollof rice recipe. This dish will be a favorite staple in your kitchen, I promise.

Ingredients Used

How to Make African Fried Cabbage Recipe

I always like to start prepping my smoked catfish by soaking it in hot water and breaking it into smaller chunks while taking out the little bone pieces.

The tomato, bell pepper, and habanero pepper should also be blended and heated for about 10-20 minutes to evaporate the water and give it a more tomato paste consistency. The cabbage should be chopped evenly and set aside.

Heat the palm oil on medium heat in a large skillet. Then add chopped onions and your tomato/pepper blend. Stir and leave for about 10 minutes on medium heat. 

Add the shrimp, smoked fish chunks, carrots, and green onions. Also, add your crayfish, salt, pepper, and seasoning of choice. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, then add the chopped cabbage.

It will initially fill your skillet and look like it will boil over, but just stir consistently for a few minutes, and the cabbage will eventually shrink. Let simmer for another 10 minutes and serve with chicken or beef. Yum!

Storing and Reheating

You can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for longer.

To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then heat it on the stovetop.

Tips when making African fried cabbage

  • Add your favorite cooked proteins, like beef, chicken, smoked sausage, or turkey bacon, to make this dish more filling.
  • You can omit all animal protein for a vegan option and add mushrooms.
  • Add more cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you want it really spicy, or omit it if you don’t like heat.
  • You can prep all the veggies ahead to save time!
  • Use your favorite spices, like cajun seasoning or bouillon powder, for more flavor.
African Fried Cabbage in a skillet.

Related Recipes

More delicious low-carb cabbage dishes!

Keto Cabbage Soup

Instant Pot Cabbage

Spicy Cabbage Soup

African Cabbage Stew

Keto Coleslaw

Cabbage Rice

African Fried Cabbage Recipe on a white plate
African Fried Cabbage Recipe on a white plate

African Fried Cabbage Recipe

This African Fried Cabbage Recipe is so flavorful and delicious that you won't be able to stop eating it! You can add your favorite veggies and proteins to customize it to your liking.
4.80 from 5 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 444kcal
Author: Tayo Oredola

Ingredients

  • 1/2 head of cabbage
  • 1/4 cup palm oil or olive oil
  • 1 cup shrimp
  • 1 smoked catfish
  • 1 cup green onions
  • 1 cup carrots
  • 1 tomato
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 habanero pepper
  • 1/2 onions
  • 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp crayfish
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Soak the smoked catfish in hot water and breaking into smaller chunks while taking out the little bone pieces.
  • Blend the tomato, bell pepper and habanero pepper and heat for 10mins. Set aside.
  • Heat the palm oil on medium heat for a few minutes, then add chopped onions and your blended tomato/bell pepper/habanero pepper.
  • Stir and leave for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
  • Add the shrimp, smoked fish chunks, carrots, scallions, crayfish, salt, pepper and seasoning of choice. Stir intermittently for 10 minutes.
  • Add the chopped cabbage and let simmer for another 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe serves 4 and contains 11 net carbs per serving.
  • Add your favorite cooked proteins, like beef, chicken, or fish, to make this dish more filling.
  • Add more cayenne pepper if you want it really spicy, or omit it if you don’t like heat.
  • You can prep all the veggies ahead to save time!
 

Nutrition

Serving: 4servings | Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 221mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 1382mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 7305IU | Vitamin C: 98.3mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 2.7mg