Most recipes for Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch, a mixture of shaved cruciferous veg including cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts, are cold salads. I am a huge fan of salads, but sometimes you need something warm and cooked to feel really satisfied.
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This Garlicky Sautéed Cruciferous Crunch is cooked in a mixture of olive oil and butter with garlic and some vinegar for brightness.
I call for the greens to be crisped, almost charred in places to create a dark brown edge that adds tons of depth and flavor.
My boyfriend likened this to street food - the char you find on tortillas and elote served by vendors along Sunset Boulevard near our home in Los Angeles. I think that perfectly captures what I was going for in this recipe. If it isn't obvious, he's a writer.
I have played with this recipe over the years and have found lots of golden garlic (not too dark - be careful not to burn the garlic or the dish will turn bitter), plenty of salt, a pinch of pepper flakes and a generous glug of vinegar are the secret to incredibly lively and savory greens.
What You'll Need
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- Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch or a mixture of thinly sliced cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. This is also very good with just red or green cabbage.
- Garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil This is my favorite brand.
- Butter Unsalted is always my preference. If using salted, be careful with the amount of salt you add.
- Salt I always write my recipes using kosher salt. Diamond Crystal is the best in my opinion.
- Apple Cider Vinegar or Unseasoned Rice Vinegar
- Chili Flakes I recommend chili flakes for just a bit of heat. If you are sensitive to this ingredient, feel free to omit.
How to Make
- Cook garlic in butter and olive oil
- Add bacon if you like
- Add the greens
- Almost burn them
- Add vinegar
Variations
Mix of cruciferous veggies If you don't have access to a Trader Joe's store to buy the pre-prepared Cruciferous Crunch, this recipe is great with thinly sliced cruciferous vegetables - kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts. A combination is great, but just red or green cabbage is also fantastic.
Swiss Chard I have also done this with Swiss chard and it has come out nicely. You can start cooking the stems before the leaves so that they are not crunchy at the end. I would use less butter and olive oil for this preparation because the leaves cook down so much.
Collard Greens While a nontraditional preparation of collards, I have made this recipe with them. They do not have their typical long-stewed texture, but the vinegar helps soften them a bit and I don't mind a bit of texture in my veggies. You can always cook them for a bit longer on lower heat to achieve a softer texture.
How to Store and Reheat
While this recipe, like most, is best right off the stove, it saves well as leftovers. Store in an air-tight container or in a bowl with plastic wrap, aluminum foil or a reusable food wrap. Leftovers should placed in the fridge within 2 hours and be eaten within 3-5 days.
I often make a big batch of this and portion it out for lunches with some brown rice and a protein. You can put it in the microwave at work and have a healthy meal ready to go.
How to Serve
Adding a chopped pork product such as bacon or pork belly to the beginning of this dish and a grain could make it a full meal. I have made this over brown rice with a halved soft or medium-boiled egg on top - so good. While the bacon is an excellent addition, the greens are delicious on their own.
If you're vegan, feel free to replace the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. The end result will be slightly different but equally enjoyable.
You can also serve these greens alongside a protein - pork chops or sausage would be great. I've had this with hard-seared steak and smashed potatoes, too. The brightness of the vinegar plays excellently with anything salty and meaty.
Other Recipes You'll Love
If you love these greens, definitely try my Grain Bowl with Goat Cheese and Greens.
Looking for more Cruciferous Crunch recipes? Try this Warm Cruciferous Cranberry Slaw from Trader Joe's.
These Braised Greens with Crispy Garlic and Miso Butter are also delicious.
📖 Recipe
Garlicky Sautéed Cruciferous Crunch
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch or other thin-sliced cruciferous greens such as cabbage
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic crushed, skins removed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes optional
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 slices chopped bacon optional
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- If using bacon, only use 1 tablespoon of butter and oil.
- Add the butter and olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. If you are using bacon, add it now and let it cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Crush the garlic against a cutting board with the bottom of a can or jar.
- Once the butter has melted, add the garlic.
- Sauté the garlic on medium for a few minutes until just golden. Break the garlic apart more with a wooden spoon.
- Remove the garlic and bacon with a slotted spoon. Reserve for later.
- Increase the heat to medium high, add the greens and stir. Then stop stirring! You want the greens to make contact with the pan so they can develop color.
- Add the salt, pepper and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook the greens without stirring for 5-8 minutes or until the bottom is somewhat browned, almost charred in places.
- Reduce the heat to medium low. Add back in the garlic and bacon (if using).
- Add the vinegar and cook for about 5 minutes for the flavors to combine and the greens to soften a bit. If you prefer the greens softer, cook for longer on a lower heat. The vinegar will mellow and add a brightness to the greens. Taste the greens and see if you need additional salt or vinegar.
Notes
- Any mixture of thinly sliced cruciferous greens would be great in this recipe. You are also welcome to use just one vegetable, such as cabbage.
- If you choose to make this recipe with only Brussels sprouts, it may take a bit longer to cook, especially if they are not sliced thin.
- I have also used this with non-cruciferous vegetables such as Swiss chard with great results. I would start the stems of the Swiss chard before the greens.
- Collard greens also work in this recipe, but will not have the same long-stewed texture as traditional collard greens.
- These greens reheat well and are a great as a part of a pre-prepared lunch
- If this is a major component of the meal, such as in a grain bowl, I have doubled the serving for an adult and use a whole 10 ounce bag for 2 people.
- If you are vegan, feel free to replace the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. The taste will be slightly different but equally good.
Tammie says
This is absolutely delicious. I used bacon strips, cooked until just crispy, then chopped. Omitted olive oil, and just added butter to the bacon grease. Otherwise I followed the recipe as written.
Genevieve says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Tammie!
Jenise says
I'm rating this in advance because I just know I'm going to love it. I'll be making this soon and am going to try using the garlic cubes from Trader Joe's freezer section but I am wondering if you can weigh in on the pro/con of using garlic cubes over fresh garlic. I've also never cooked with garlic enough to know how to keep it from reaching the 'uh oh, I think I burned it' stage, especially in this recipe where it's going to keep on cooking while I try to char some of the veg. Thanks for the help! I'm really glad I found your site!!
Genevieve says
Hi Jenise! I'm so happy you'll be trying this recipe. I think using a garlic cube will be just fine. 🙂 They might let off a tiny bit of moisture while they heat up, but I don't see any issues arising from that.
Fluerette says
I’m trying to avoid butter. Would eliminating that ingredient and increasing the amount of olive oil work for this recipe?
Genevieve says
Hi Fluerette! Yes, you can absolutely leave the butter out. I'd just use 2 tablespoons of olive oil total.
Greta says
Loved it! It was so easy to make and was so delicious! Recommended!
Genevieve says
Thanks Greta!
Journa Liz Ramirez says
Everyone can't get enough of this garlicky sauteed cruciferous crunch! It is a simple recipe that can surely satisfy us. We'll surely make this on repeat.
Genevieve says
Thank you!
Wendy says
This is my new favorite side - I plan on making it again for the holidays. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Genevieve says
Thanks Wendy!
Allyssa says
This is really easy to follow, loved this cruciferous crunch recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Genevieve says
Thank you!
Glenn says
Absolutely addicting! This recipe is delicious and I'll be serving it often. It's fun to have a new side to add to the meal rotation. Thank you!
Genevieve says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Glenda says
The vinegar gave a nice pop of brightness to these veggies! It's a good combination and I think one of the favorite ways I've ever eaten Brussels Sprouts. Thank you!
Genevieve says
Thank you, Glenda! So glad you enjoyed it.
Mandy Applegate says
It's not often that the whole family were happy with a dish, but this cruciferous crunch was an instant hit!
Genevieve says
This is great to hear! Thank you, Mandy.
Shilpa says
I made this with cabbage and skipped the bacon. It was delicious and flavorful. Loved it.
Genevieve says
I often make this with cabbage - so glad you enjoyed it!
Jennifer says
The flavor in this dish is insane! I wanted an easy and diff side and this one really fit the bill - I'll be making it a lot!
Genevieve says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! We have it at least once a week in my home. 🙂
Shelby says
This dish made my soul happy! I love crunchy veggies and always looking to get more into my diet!
Genevieve says
What a lovely compliment - thank you, Shelby!