Warm Red Cabbage Salad with Garlic Herb Butter and Pistachios Recipe
This Warm Red Cabbage Salad with Garlic Herb Butter is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring tender red cabbage and fresh spinach lightly wilted in a fragrant garlic herb butter. Enhanced with a splash of balsamic vinegar and crunchy pistachios, this warm salad is perfect as a nutritious side or light main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1/2 bunch English spinach leaves, sliced into 1cm (1/2 inch) strips
- 1/4 red cabbage, cut into 2.5 x 5cm (1 x 2 inch) rectangles
Butter & Seasonings
- 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, large, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Garnish
- 3 tbsp pistachios, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Melt the butter and infuse garlic. Place the butter and minced garlic in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Let the butter melt and allow the garlic to sizzle for about 15 seconds to infuse its flavor into the butter.
- Add salt and herbs. Sprinkle the salt and fresh chopped herbs into the pan and swirl to evenly distribute them throughout the melted butter, creating a fragrant herb butter base.
- Cook the red cabbage. Add the red cabbage pieces to the pan. Toss and stir the cabbage in the herb butter to coat the leaves well as it begins to soften and wilt.
- Wilt the spinach. Once the cabbage starts to wilt but still retains some crunch, remove the pan from heat. Add the sliced spinach and balsamic vinegar. Toss gently so the residual heat slightly wilts the spinach and incorporates the balsamic flavor.
- Serve with pistachios. Transfer the warm salad to a serving plate and sprinkle roughly chopped pistachios on top for a crunchy finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the warm, fresh flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs that you prefer or have on hand; thyme, rosemary, and parsley work beautifully.
- Be careful not to overcook the cabbage; it should remain slightly crisp to provide texture.
- This salad is best served warm and doesn’t hold as well if refrigerated and reheated.
- Toasting the pistachios lightly can enhance their flavor and crunch.
Keywords: warm red cabbage salad, garlic herb butter, spinach salad, easy vegetable side, pistachio garnish, quick warm salad, healthy salad
