Cabbage and potatoes are two versatile vegetables that can be used in a variety of dishes.
If you have leftover cabbage and potatoes, here are some quick ideas on what to do with them.
Let’s check them out.
Make a simple potato and cabbage soup
Making a simple soup with a few simple ingredients is one of the best ways to make your leftovers shine.
Chop up about a cup and a half of potatoes and a quarter head of cabbage, saute in oil or butter, then add two cups of chicken stock, salt, and pepper to taste.
Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
This makes a delicious quick soup.
Make a hearty casserole
Leftover potatoes are great to use in a casserole since they already have part of their preparation out of the way.
Chop about two cups potatoes, half cup onion, three-fourths cup shredded cheese, one can cream of chicken soup, and one half cup mayonnaise.
Mix well and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Add your cabbage to a stir-fry
Leftover vegetables can be added to any stir fry dish to increase the overall nutrition content of the meal while adding different textures and flavors.
Shredded carrots, mushrooms, celery, or red pepper would also be great additions.
You just need to add all of your leftover vegetables into a wok or frying pan along with some sesame seed oil and soy sauce, then stir-fry until cooked.
Turn the leftovers into a savory hash brown dish
Leftover vegetables, especially potatoes, are great to use in a hash brown dish because the natural starchiness of the potato will turn it into a crispy treat.
Chop up your leftover potatoes and onion finely, then fry in butter until soft and tender.
Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin to taste.
Garnish with sour cream or cheese and serve with eggs for a great breakfast.
Store it and use it later
If you have leftover vegetables, the best thing to do is to store them in your refrigerator until you need them.
Some vegetables even freeze well for later use if they are chopped up first.
Cabbage and potatoes can be stored in tightly-sealed containers for up to four days in the fridge or two months in the freezer.
Make stuffed cabbage rolls
Leftover vegetables can be used to make a great dish that you can serve for dinner or even freeze for more convenient meals later.
Chop up half of the leftovers, then mix them together with some cooked rice, minced onion, garlic powder, seasoned salt, pepper, and a beaten egg.
Mix well and form the mixture into small meatballs: you should get about 20 meatballs from this mixture.
Boil water in a large pot, add one tablespoon of salt and cook the cabbage rolls for 15 minutes or until done.
You can either serve them as is or use your favorite tomato-based sauce for dipping.
For this dish to be successful, remember to get really flavorful vegetables and season them well.
Throw your leftovers in a salad
Leftover vegetables are not only great for stir-fries, but also for salads.
Chop up the leftovers finely, then add some sliced onions or green peppers along with some chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil.
Drizzle with your favorite salad dressing and toss well before serving to ensure that all of the ingredients are coated.
For a little variety, you can also add some freshly grated carrots or diced chicken to your salad.
Use it in a quiche
Leftover vegetables are great for baking, especially when you need them to be the star of the show instead of just an accompaniment for meat or other ingredients.
Leftover potatoes and cabbage are ideal for quiches, whether you’re using a pre-made crust or making your own pastry.
You can add some chopped onions and garlic as well as crumbled bacon to the quiche if desired.
How long will leftover cabbage and potatoes last in the fridge?
It is best to eat any leftover vegetables within a few days of cooking them, but cooked cabbage and potatoes can last in the fridge for a week at best. (source)
Can leftover cabbage and potatoes be frozen?
Both potatoes and cabbage can be frozen to preserve them for later use.
If you chop your leftover cabbage or potatoes into small pieces before freezing, they should last for up to three months in the freezer.
Is it safe to reheat leftovers that contain cabbage and potatoes?
It is perfectly safe to reheat your leftovers that contain cabbage or potatoes, but you should always be careful when handling food to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Make sure to use clean utensils and cook everything thoroughly so it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F (74° C). (source)
Can leftover cabbage and potatoes be used in salads?
Leftover cabbage and potatoes can be used in salads as long as you mix them with other ingredients to prevent the vegetables from going bad quickly.
Potatoes that have been refrigerated for more than a week or two may not be suitable for salads, but fresh leftover potatoes should be fine.
As a general rule of thumb, use your best judgment about whether your cabbage or potatoes are suitable for the salad you want to make.
Can I use leftovers in chow mein?
Yes, leftover vegetables can be added to chow mein before serving it so that their flavors infuse into the dish faster.
Chop up the leftovers finely and add them to the pan when you add the noodles.
What is a good way to reheat leftovers that contain cabbage and potatoes?
Leftover vegetables can be reheated in a covered saucepan with a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth added to create steam while cooking.
You can use your microwave to cook leftover cabbage and potatoes as well, but make sure to turn the vegetables halfway through cooking so they are cooked evenly.
To make sure your food is heated thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the vegetables reaches 165° F (74° C). (source)
How can I prevent leftovers from smelling bad?
They will only start smelling bad if they are not stored properly.
Make sure that you refrigerate your leftovers in an airtight container and eat them within a few days of cooking them.
Can they be used in quiches?
Yes, leftover vegetables can be added to quiches before baking them so that their flavors infuse into the dish.
Chop up the leftovers finely and add them to the pan when you add the other ingredients for your quiche.
What are some other dishes that can be made with leftover cabbage and potatoes?
Leftover cabbage and potatoes can be added to soups, stews, casseroles, and other dishes that need a little bulk.
They also make an excellent addition to salads or quiches.
Conclusion
Cabbage and potatoes are two versatile vegetables that can be used in a variety of dishes.
If you have leftover cabbage and potatoes, I hope the quick ideas that I’ve shared above would help you out.
So, what are you waiting for?
Let’s get cooking.