Our best cabbage recipes never fail to make us wonder how one globe can transform into so many dishes. Inexpensive and infinitely versatile, with an impressively long shelf life, cabbage is an undisputed weeknight cooking hero. One head can go a long, long way. A few things to know about this humble veg: Cabbage falls under the same cruciferous family as broccoli and brussels sprouts. There are many different types of cabbage—green, red, leafy Napa, crinkly Savoy, and others—so the first step is to pick a recipe before shopping. If you’re not that type of planner, don’t worry: Different types of cabbage are interchangeable in plenty of recipes. But some—like this Napa cabbage kimchi—work best with a specific variety.

Cabbage can take on any flavor thanks to its sturdy leaves and high absorbency. Sometimes all you need is a bit of salt and pepper—but a generous glug of olive oil (for extra-crispy caramelized edges) doesn’t hurt either. Want more pizzazz? Think caramelized cabbage, fried cabbage, shredded-and-piled-onto-a-crispy-chicken-sandwich cabbage. Keep scrolling to find easy recipes that’ll teach you how to cook cabbage perfectly every time.