Yes, you can absolutely shred napa cabbage. Napa cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage, has tender leaves that can be easily shredded either by hand or with a food processor. Shredding napa cabbage is a great way to use it in slaws, stir fries, soups and other dishes where you want small, bite-sized pieces.
What is napa cabbage?
Napa cabbage, sometimes called Chinese cabbage, is a type of cabbage with thick, tender white stems and green leaves. It has an oblong shape and loosely packed leaves. Napa cabbage has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with other ingredients. It is a common ingredient in many Asian dishes but can also be enjoyed raw in salads and slaws.
Some key facts about napa cabbage:
- It is a cruciferous vegetable, in the same family as kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and other cabbages.
- The scientific name is Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis.
- It originated in China but is now grown worldwide.
- Napa cabbage heads usually weigh 1-3 pounds.
- It has pale green leaves with lighter colored, crunchy ribs.
- The flavor is sweeter and milder than regular green cabbage.
Why shred napa cabbage?
Shredding, slicing or chopping napa cabbage into smaller pieces is done for a few reasons:
- To use it as a topping or mix-in for dishes like soups, stir fries, fried rice or slaws where you want small, bite-sized pieces.
- To help soften and tenderize the leaves by breaking down some of the cell structure.
- To incorporate flavors more easily when marinated or cooked.
- For a different texture than leaving leaves whole.
- To make it easier to eat raw in salads or as a garnish.
How to shred napa cabbage
By hand
It’s easy to shred napa cabbage leaves by hand using just a knife and cutting board:
- Remove any damaged outer leaves and cut the cabbage in half lengthwise.
- Lay each half flat side down and slice it lengthwise into 1-2 inch wide strips.
- Stack several strips on top of each other.
- Hold the stack together firmly and slice across the strips as thinly as desired.
- Chop the shredded pieces crosswise if you want them smaller.
Food processor
A food processor makes quick work of shredding napa cabbage. Here’s how:
- Remove any damaged outer leaves and cut the cabbage in half lengthwise.
- Cut each half into pieces that will fit into the food processor feed tube.
- Insert shredder blade and add cabbage pieces one at a time, pushing down with food pusher.
- Process until all the cabbage is shredded to the desired fineness.
Tips for food processor shredding:
- Use short pulses for better control over shred size.
- Don’t overfill the bowl – shred in batches if needed.
- Use a slicing blade for thicker shreds or the shredding disc for fine shreds.
Mandoline
A mandoline slicer can also be used to quickly and evenly shred napa cabbage:
- Remove any damaged outer leaves.
- Trim off the bottom 1/2 inch of the core.
- Insert desired julienne or shredding blade.
- Place cabbage core-side down and slide back and forth over blade to shred into strips.
Benefits of using a mandoline for shredding:
- Very fast and easy for uniform shreds.
- Offers different julienne and shredder insert options.
- Safer than using a knife once you get the hang of it.
Shredding napa cabbage for recipes
Shredded napa cabbage can be used in all kinds of dishes. Here are some recipe ideas:
Slaws
Napa cabbage has the perfect crunch and mild flavor for slaws. Toss shredded napa cabbage with ingredients like:
- Carrots
- Red cabbage
- Bell peppers
- Green onions
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or mint
- Nuts like peanuts, almonds or cashews
Then dress with an acidic liquid like lime juice or rice vinegar and seasonings like sesame oil, ginger, garlic and soy sauce.
Soups
Add shredded napa cabbage to soups for texture and bulk. It works well in:
- Chicken noodle soup
- Vegetable soup
- Ramen
- Won ton soup
- Egg drop soup
- Miso soup
Add toward the end of cooking so it doesn’t get overcooked and mushy.
Stir fries
The quick cooking time of stir fries suits tender shredded napa cabbage perfectly. Use it in any combination of meat, seafood or veggies.
Try shredded napa cabbage stir fried with:
- Beef and broccoli
- Shrimp and snow peas
- Chicken and mushrooms
- Tofu and vegetables
Fried rice
Along with classic fried rice ingredients like peas, carrots and eggs, shredded napa cabbage adds great texture, color and flavor. Use in any protein fried rice combo.
Wraps and tacos
Shredded napa cabbage makes a delicious lower-carb substitute for tortillas in wraps and tacos. Simply pile fillings like grilled meat, salsa, beans and cheese into napa leaves.
Storage
Here are some tips for storing shredded napa cabbage:
- Place shredded cabbage in airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, blanch for 1 minute then freeze for up to 3 months.
- Pickled and fermented versions can be kept refrigerated for weeks.
Nutrition
Napa cabbage is low in calories but packed with nutrients. Just 1 cup of shredded raw napa cabbage contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 14 |
| Protein | 0.7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fiber | 1.7 g |
| Vitamin C | 44% DV |
| Vitamin K | 60% DV |
| Folate | 7% DV |
It also contains compounds like glucosinolates linked to health benefits. Napa cabbage provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Conclusion
Napa cabbage can be shredded in several ways, either manually with a knife or using a food processor or mandoline. Shredding helps tenderize the leaves and allows napa cabbage to be easily incorporated into salads, slaws, stir fries and other dishes. This mild, crunchy cabbage adds texture and nutrients to many recipes.