Joyful Cook Switches Up Classic Fried Rice With Cabbage & Sausage

Fried rice is one of those meals that always feels like a good idea. It’s quick, dependable and flexible enough to work with whatever you already have in the kitchen. In Joyful Cook’s latest version, the dish leans into that ease, coming together fast while still feeling thoughtful and filling.

What stands out immediately is the addition of cabbage. It’s not the first ingredient people reach for when making fried rice, but here it makes sense. Mixed in with carrots and bell peppers, the cabbage adds a light crunch that keeps the rice from feeling heavy, especially when paired with turkey and beef sausage.

The turkey is seasoned simply but generously, with a mix of curry, thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley flakes, salt and seasoning powder. Fried with onions, garlic, ginger and red bell peppers, it’s cooked until just right, giving the rice something substantial without overpowering the vegetables. The rice itself is cooked in meat stock, with oil, grated garlic and ginger, and blended green bell pepper, which gives it colour and a subtle depth of flavour before it even hits the pan.

Once everything comes together, chopped beef sausage, yellow and green bell peppers and a small handful of kidney beans are stirred in, adding variety and texture. A little sesame oil brings warmth without taking over, while the vegetables stay fresh and present in every bite. Nothing feels rushed or overworked, which is often the secret to good fried rice.

On the side, Joyful Cook serves a simple coleslaw made with grated carrots and cabbage mixed with mayonnaise. It’s a small addition, but it works nicely, offering a cool contrast to the warm rice and rounding out the meal.

This is the kind of fried rice you make when you want something comforting, quick and satisfying, without doing too much. It’s familiar, but the cabbage gives it a gentle twist—one that’s easy to repeat the next time fried rice is on the menu.