Buttered Cabbage and Eggs

By Christian Reynoso

Updated April 6, 2026

  • Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.
Media 1 of 1
Ready In
20 min
Rating
5(87)
Comments
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Pure and light with a tender buttery crunch, this delicate breakfast or lunch starts with some pretty hearty ingredients. Salted cabbage is gently sautéed in butter until it softens and becomes glossy while keeping its color, then dill is stirred in for its gentle perfume. The eggs are cracked in and steamed, covered, until the whites are just set and the yolks are still somewhat runny, begging for buttered toast. If you want this to serve 4, double everything. If you only want to cook 1 egg, halve the recipe and use an 8-inch skillet. 

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Ingredients

Yield:1 to 2 servings

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 

  • 3 tightly packed cups thinly sliced cabbage, such as green, Napa or Savoy, (5 to 7 ounces) 

  • Salt 

  • 2 sprigs fresh dill, roughly torn 

  • 2 large eggs

  • Freshly ground white or black pepper 

  • Flaky salt 

  • Lemon wedges, for serving 

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 to 2 servings)

6 grams carbs; 217 milligrams cholesterol; 197 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 16 grams fat; 2 grams fiber; 357 milligrams sodium; 8 grams protein; 3 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add the butter to a medium (10-inch) skillet over medium heat and swirl the pan to help the butter melt. Once fully melted, add the cabbage and a big pinch of salt. With tongs, toss the cabbage well to gloss it with the butter.

  2. Step 2

    Cook the cabbage, tossing frequently, until it’s translucent, mostly softened and a soft celery-green (not browned), 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of water, then toss in the dill. 

  3. Step 3

    Using the tongs, make 2 wells in the cabbage. Crack an egg into each well. Adjust the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the eggs are cooked to your liking, 4 to 7 minutes for medium with just a little bit of runny yolk. Remove from the heat. To serve, season with pepper and flaky salt and squeeze some lemon juice over everything.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
87 user ratings
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Comments

West of wierd

So I made this for my dinner tonight. I have only myself to cook for, but I always set the table and plate my food. It just makes everything taste even better! Well, never have I ever stood at the stove and devoured everything on the spot straight from the cooking pot! So simple, so sublime, so worth every dime I spend on on my NYT cooking app. Just....wow!

Suzanne Kelly

I added avocado on the side. I usually cook rice and eggs for a quick dinner but this was faster, tastier and healthier.

Chris

Easy and surprisingly tasty. I used dried dill, and put it over buttered sourdough toast. I skipped the lemon juice, but imagine it may brighten the flavor.

Raphaëlle

How is this so good? Anywho I used fresh basil because I had it on hand and it was great. Used savoy cabbage but am eager to test other kinds of cabbage.

rengor

this is a heavenly way to cook eggs. why have i never done it before? 10/10 recommend. (i used olive oil in lieu of butter to make this dairy-free. still delicious.)

Dylan

This was great, much better than the sum of its parts. I used half white cabbage, half kale (including the ribs). I made a portion for two, so used 100g of each green and four eggs. It's one that I intend to eat regularly, easy, light and delicious.

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