Jamaican cabbage recipe with carrots is easy to prepare on the stove. You can add heat to your liking to make spicy or mild. One of our healthy simple cabbage recipes, a great side dish with dinner with seasonings that will wow you are remind you of your last meal there.

We are adding some heat and WOW to a normally bland vegetable. You can make this on the stove like this or use the same ingredients and seasonings to make it like our slow cooker cabbage where the flavors really permeate over the hours.
We are more sauteing this but if you really wanted to make all the ingredients soft you could easily steam it with a lid. Timing is subjective to who is eating it. Some prefer more al dente while others want it more like our Sauteed Red Cabbage that’s quite limp and soft.
Need gluten free? When buying the seasonings just look for one that is GF on the container, but most all of them are. Sometimes I will add a splash of soy to add some zing but aminos would do the same thing as far as that is concerned.
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Ingredients Notes
You will want to shred some white cabbage (typically) measured when sliced, which turns out to be about 1/2 of a large head. I don’t think I would make this as a Purple Cabbage Recipe but you could maybe do half and half. Different colors not only bring a brightness to a dish but also lend different textures as well. You will want to chop the cabbage into thin strips so cabbage and carrots are about the same thickness.
I like to add some red and green Bell peppers sliced. I mean you can use any colors out there but each has it’s own flavor profile so use what you prefer.
Celery sliced is nice in there but of course optional if that isn’t your cup of tea. Leeks sliced we love too but same as the above. There are lots of ways to tweak this but I am going over the most traditional way of making this dish.
Other vegetables that you would typically see would be some yellow or white Onions, sweet is our preference, sliced thin if you want them softer. Carrots shredded once peeled is another one you will want to pick up.
And for the sauteeing you would want to use a salted stick of butter or dairy free alternative is fine too. If you would rather use olive oil in the large skillet instead that is fine but won’t lend as much flavor to the dish.
Don’t forget to taste as you go too and season until it is perfect for y’all. Some may prefer extra heat with a splash of jalapeno powder or just salt and pepper it.
Jamaican Cabbage Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large pan with lid if you want to steam and wilt more
Ingredients
- 6 c cabbage, measured when sliced, about 1/2 a large head
- 2 bell peppers, sliced, any colors
- 1 c celery, sliced
- 1 leek, sliced
- 1 onion, sweet, sliced
- 2 c carrots, shredded
- 1 tbsp jamaican seasoning, or cajun seasoning for more heat
- 1/2 c butter
Instructions
- Wash and prep all veggies by slicing as needed. Sauté peppers and onion with the butter or garlic butter for a couple minutes until beginning to soften.
- Add remaining ingredients and sauté until cooked and beginning to wilt, you want veggies to still be a bit crisp. This took about 10 minutes for me.
- Note: you’ll need a pretty big pan to sauté this in, so be sure that you choose something that will be large enough!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
You will want a large wok style skillet large enough to be able to stir up the shredded cabbage, onions and garlic without overflowing. Use a wooden spatula to stir when heated over medium high heat to get tender. If you want it to be really soft you would want a lid that fits tight over the pan. jamaican steamed cabbage recipe is made this way, checked every few minutes until it reaches the limp texture and look desired.
Seasonings
I use bottled Jamaican seasoning you can find here online. If you have your own special blend then by all means mix that up instead. Jamaican cuisine is known for its bold and flavorful seasonings, which often include a combination of aromatic herbs, spices, and ingredients that create a unique and vibrant taste. Here are some used regularly;
Allspice is a key ingredient in many Jamaican food dishes and gives them a distinctive flavor. It’s used in jerk seasoning and other spice blends. Allspice is derived from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree. Scotch Bonnet Peppers are small, extremely spicy peppers are used in many of their dishes to provide heat and flavor. Be cautious when using them, as they can be very hot.
Fresh or dried thyme is a common herb used in this style of cooking. It adds a subtle earthy flavor and aroma to dishes. Fresh garlic or garlic powder is used to add depth and a savory element. Ginger is often used both fresh and powdered. It adds a warm, spicy, and sweet side dish or make Pureed Soup with it.
Jamaican cuisine is famous for its use of these seasonings, especially in dishes like jerk chicken, curries, rice and peas, and more. The combination of these spices and ingredients creates the vibrant and bold flavors that are characteristic of this region of food. When using these seasonings, it’s important to balance them to achieve the desired level of spiciness, heat, and depth of flavor.
Onions are a fundamental ingredient in many Jamaican recipes, adding sweetness and depth to the flavor profile. Scallions are frequently used as a garnish and to add a mild onion flavor too. Fresh thyme is a common herb used, providing a subtle earthy and minty flavor. Ground cinnamon is used sparingly in some dishes to add warmth and sweetness.
Nutmeg is used in moderation to enhance the flavors. It can be grated fresh or used as a ground spice. Ground black pepper is used for seasoning and adding a bit of heat to dishes. Though not as common as some other spices, cumin is sometimes used to add an earthy and slightly nutty flavor.
A dark browning sauce is used to give some Jamaican dishes, especially meats, a rich and caramelized color and flavor. In many dishes, especially curry fried chicken and stews, coconut milk is used to add creaminess and a hint of sweetness. Salt is used for basic seasoning in just as in any cuisine.