Cabbage Omelette (Tortang Repolyo)
Cabbage Omelette, also known as Tortang Repolyo in Filipino cuisine, is a humble but delicious dish made with shredded cabbage, eggs, and a few seasonings. This budget-friendly meal is enjoyed as a side, a main dish, or even a hearty breakfast. With its crispy edges and tender interior, it’s not only satisfying but also packed with nutritious goodness.
Cabbage Omelette
Ingredients
- 250 grams Cabbage 1/4 kilo
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoon all purpose flour
- ¼ chicken broth cube optional
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Chop the cabbage into thin strips. After chopping, wash and drain well.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cabbage strips, eggs and all-purpose flour. Dissolve the chicken broth cube in ½ tablespoon hot water. Add the broth mixture to the cabbage. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a little bit of oil in pan. Scoop some cabbage mixture. Fry in low heat until light brown. Cover the pan while cooking. After a few minutes, flip the cabbage omelet to cook the other side.
- Cover again. When both sides are cooked, remove from heat. Fry the rest of the mixture. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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What Is Cabbage Omelette (Tortang Repolyo)?
Cabbage Omelette, called Tortang Repolyo is a popular breakfast / lunch viand option in the Philippines. A simple egg-based dish made of shredded cabbage mixed in a simple egg batter, pan-fried until golden. It’s similar to other vegetable omelettes or pancakes around the world but is distinguished by its use of cabbage, which gives it a pleasant crunch and mild flavor. Unlike Western omelettes where ingredients sit inside folded eggs, this tortilla-style version integrates the vegetables into the egg mixture, creating a flatter, pancake-like dish that’s both filling and versatile.
The word “torta” in Filipino cuisine often refers to an egg-based dish similar to an omelette or egg fritter. Unlike the Western-style folded omelette, the Filipino torta mixes the main ingredient directly with beaten eggs before frying it into a flat, golden patty. A cooking style developed as a practical and economical way to stretch ingredients—especially for households where there are many family members. Over time, torta became a beloved healthy everyday dish because for how simple, affordable, and highly adaptable it is.
Tortang Repolyo is a reflection of Filipino tradition which is used to making the most out of simple ingredients. During tight-budget seasons or when meat was scarce, leaves greens like cabbages provided volume and nutrition while eggs added protein and structure. Plus the addition of a small amount of flour or starch further stretched the mixture, allowing families to create larger portions without significantly increasing the cost. This ingenuity in cooking is deeply rooted in Filipino food culture, where practicality meets comfort.
Tortang Repolyo: Budget Friendly Recipe
During the quarantine period, I thought of making some recipes that can give people some ideas what to prepare on a tight budget. I experimented in the kitchen and thought of how to cook the ingredients that are already available in my fridge. That’s how I came up with a recipe with repolyo with egg, that is tortang repolyo.
Ingredients
- Cabbage – our star ingredient for this recipe.
- Eggs – binds everything together as well as add to the protein.
- All Purpose Flour – for the structure.
- Chicken broth cube – optional, adds flavor.
- Salt & Pepper – to enhance overall taste.
- Oil – for frying.
Tortang Repolyo Recipe
Ingredients :
- 250 grams (1/4 kilo) Cabbage
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoon all purpose flour
- ¼ chicken broth cube (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Steps :
1. Chop the cabbage into thin strips. After chopping, wash and drain well.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cabbage strips, eggs and all-purpose flour. Dissolve the chicken broth cube in ½ tablespoon hot water. Add the broth mixture to the cabbage. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Heat a little bit of oil in pan. Scoop some cabbage mixture. Fry in low heat until light brown. Cover the pan while cooking. After a few minutes, flip the cabbage omelet to cook the other side.
4. Cover again. When both sides are cooked, remove from heat. Fry the rest of the mixture. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Recipe Notes
- Make this even tastier by adding some chopped onions and garlic. You may also add additional seasoning like garlic powder.
- You can also put some meat on it. Just sauté’ some ground meat, be it chicken or pork. Then, add to the cabbage mixture.
- You can use any dipping sauce you want. I used ketchup in this recipe and they taste so good! My kids love it.
- If you want to make more cabbage omelet, just double the ingredients.
- If you don’t have chicken broth cube, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead. It is optional anyway.
Optional Ingredients to Customize your Cabbage Omelette
- Add aromatics like chopped onions or garlic — for aroma and and overall taste.
- Grated carrots — for color and sweetness.
- Ground meat (chicken, pork, or beef) — gives the dish extra protein.
- You can also use cured meats like hotdogs, bacon, sausages, or luncheon meat for your choice of meat.
- Cheese — for a rich and a gooey finish.
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, green onions or any herbs) — for brightness and flavor.
- Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce – to infuse heat.
How to Cook Cabbage Omelette in the Air Fryer
If you’re looking for a healthier, lower-oil way to prepare Try using an air fryer. While the traditional stovetop method creates crispy golden edges, this alternative cooking method still produces a delicious cabbage omelette with less oil and less hands-on cooking time.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3–5 minutes. Line the pan with parchment and grease it with a bit of oil ( optional ). Pour in scoop of the batter, try not to stick the circles too close.
- Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes. Add more time until the top browns. Once it looks golden, you can take these out to enjoy.
Try our other Yummy Cabbage Recipes :
Nutrition & Health Benefits
- This snack is High in protein: Eggs provide complete proteins essential for muscle repair and keeps you full longer.
- Rich in fiber: Cabbage adds dietary fiber for better digestion.
- Vitamins & antioxidants: Cabbage contains Vitamins C and K with the addition of antioxidants that support immunity and overall health.
This makes it a balanced dish — especially when paired with vegetables or whole grains-for a full meal.
Tips & Tricks
- Control Moisture – Cabbage holds a lot of water. If you want to ensure a really crisp pancake. Try to squeeze out as much of the excess moisture before mixing with eggs for a firmer omelette.
- Don’t Overmix– Mix gently so the cabbage still stays distinct and crisp rather than mushy from over mixing while pressing the cabbage leaves down.
- Cook Low & Slow – Cooking on medium heat prevents the outside from burning before the center is fully cooked.
- Serve Fresh – This omelette tastes best right off the pan — it’s crisp and tender and great with a big plate of rice on the side. If it does take long to serve it can turn soggy if stored improperly. ( read below for how to store leftovers )
How to Make Tortang Repolyo
As the name suggest, tortang repolyo or cabbage omelette is cooked by frying. The recipe starts with shredding or chopping the cabbage into thin strips. Cabbage can either be chopped in small pieces or shred into tiny strips. I chose strips cos I want to keep it crunchy and visible when I cooked it as omelette instead of being fully coated with eggs.
One of the key ingredients in cooking cabbage omelette is the eggs. You can add more eggs in this recipe depending on how much yield you want. I added some all-purpose flour as binding ingredient but this is totally optional.
To make the cabbage omelette tasty and savory, dissolved chicken broth cube was added, but this is optional too. For healthier option, just add chicken or vegetable broth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is cabbage omelette healthy?
- Yes, when cooked with just a bit of oil and paired with healthy sides, it can be a low-calorie nutritious meal rich in protein and fiber.
- Can I freeze it?
- Freezing is not recommended because eggs change texture when frozen and can become rubbery upon reheating.
- Instead you can store this in an airtight container once cooled. This can be kept in the fridge for 2 – 3 days or more.
- You know if it goes bad if you notice a sour smell or if you find molds or green spots. Throw these away.
- To reheat, you can simple place these in the microwave for 1 minute or more. You can also toast these at 160°C for 5 – 7 minutes or just until it’s hot enough. Another option is to fan fry these in a non-stick pan for a few minutes on each side just until these are warm enough.
- What dipping sauces go well?
- Common options include ketchup, siracha, soy sauce, garlic mayo, hot sauce, sweet chili sauce, or vinegar with garlic. You can also get creative like using garlic mayo, wasabi mayo, make your own Japanese bbq sauce ( okonomiyaki sauce ), or any sauce of your choice.
Cabbage Omelette Recipe ( Tagalog )
Ingredients :
- 250 gramo (1/4 kilo) ng Repolyo
- 2 malaking itlog
- 3 kutsara ng harina
- ¼ chicken broth cube (opsyonal)
- Asin at Paminta panpalasa
- Mantika pang prito
Steps :
- Hiwain ang mga repolyo ng maninipis pero pahaba. Pagkatapos, hugasin at salain.
- Sa mangkok, haluin ang mga repolyo, itlog, at all purpose flour. Idisolba ang chicken broth cube sa 1/2 kutsara ng mainit na tubig. Haluin ito sa repolyo na batter. Timplahan ng asin at paminta para may lasa.
- Maginit ng konting mantika sa kawali. I-scoop ang repolyo mixture dito at iprito sa mababang init hanggang mag kayumanggi ng konti. Takpan ng ilang minuto. Pagbaliktaran para maluto ang magkabilaan.
- takpan muli. Pagnaluto na ang bawat gilid, tanggalin sa init. Iprito ang lahat ng natitirang batter at ihanda kasama ng paborito mong sarsa.
Final Thoughts
Cabbage Omelette (Tortang Repolyo) is more than just another simple healthy recipe — it’s a versatile, tasty, and budget-friendly dish that suits any meal of the day. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a quick fiber and protein-rich breakfast, this recipe delivers every time. With endless variations ( from adding more greens, seasonings, or meats ) and easy customization, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
