These Roasted Cabbage Steaks are so easy and delicious. Made with only five ingredients, this simple recipe makes a flavorful snack or side that you're going to just love!
A whole head of cabbage is transformed into thick slices, roasted until tender and caramelized on the inside, with an irresistibly crispy exterior.
Whether you make it in the oven or on the grill, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with any main course.
Eaten raw, cabbage is bland and can often taste bitter. But when sautéed, made in air fryer or roasted, cabbage undergoes a delicious transformation, just like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower.
Jump To
- Why It's Yummy
- Favorite Cabbage Recipes
- Ingredients
- Do You Need To Wash The Cabbage?
- How To Cut Cabbage For Cabbage Steaks
- Instructions
- How To Make Cabbage Steaks on the Grill
- Can You Make Cabbage Steaks In Air Fryer?
- Recommended Equipment
- Recipe Troubleshooting
- Tips
- What to Serve With Cabbage Steaks
- Freezing And Storing Instructions
- What To Do With Leftovers
- Variations
- Cabbage Health Benefits
- Thinking About Dessert? Try These!
- FAQs
- More Summer Side Dishes
- Recipe
- Easy Roasted Cabbage Steaks
- Comments
Why It's Yummy
- Flavor - With a simple seasoning and some parmesan cheese this cabbage tastes far from boring. These cabbage steaks are caramelized on the outside, tender on the inside, and absolutely delicious side dish for summer BBQ.
- Versatile - It's a versatile side dish that complements a wide range of main courses and is packed with health benefits.
- Make it Anytime - No wonder everyone loves this healthy cruciferous vegetable as it's available during all seasons, and is budget-friendly.
- This is a delicious side dish recipe that the whole family will enjoy like my stuffed mushrooms or garlic potatoes recipe.
Favorite Cabbage Recipes
Cabbage recipes are the most popular recipes on my blog and this is by far my favorite ingredient for dinners! Try these scrumptious cabbage recipes next.
Read on for some great ideas about what to make with cabbage.
Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
- Cabbage - Green cabbage is the best choice for this recipe, but you can use red cabbage as well. Choose a young green cabbage head that is a little loose. I prefer green cabbage for its mild flavor as red cabbage tends to have more peppery and stronger flavor than green cabbage.
- Olive oil - Oil tenderizes the cabbage slices as they bake. I like to use good quality olive oil for its flavor and nutrition profile.
- Spices - Salt, paprika, and for a little spicy kick you can add optional red pepper flakes. For the most natural flavor, choose kosher salt or sea salt and not table salt.
- Lemon - Always use fresh and not bottled. The acid in lemon juice offsets the inherent bitterness of cabbage. However, it is still optional or you can add just a little drizzle while serving. In our family, everyone just loves lemon on almost anything savory and sweet! Try these delicious lemon cookies for dessert.
- Garlic - Can't skip this one! Garlic and parmesan add so much more flavor to these cabbage steaks.
- Toppings - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or chopped nuts make delicious garnishes.
Garnish the cabbage with freshly chopped parsley and serve with garlic bread and a side salad. This avocado chickpea salad is quick and easy to make and the kids love them. Another great side dish recipe!
Do You Need To Wash The Cabbage?
Many people say that if the cabbage leaves are entirely covering the head of the cabbage then washing is not needed.
They also say, that if not eaten raw you can skip the washing as the heat kills of bacteria.
I still highly recommend washing it first to remove any dirt and microorganisms.
When ready to cook, discard the outer leaves, cut them into thick slices or wedges, and rinse in a colander under running water. Before cooking, ensure that the cabbage is dry.
Tip: To optimize storage, avoid washing the cabbage until you're ready to eat it.
How To Cut Cabbage For Cabbage Steaks
Cut off the thick bottom end of the cabbage and transfer it flat on the cutting board.
Slice the cabbage from top to bottom into ¾ to 1-inch thick slices, starting from the center and working your way out.
Now cabbage steaks are ready for roasting.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Prepare the cabbage by removing the root end.
Slice the cabbage into medium-thick disks, about ¾ to 1 inch thick. I like to rinse the cabbage slightly before cooking and let it dry on the kitchen counter first.
You should have around 5 disks. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Use a brush to generously coat both sides of the cabbage steaks with this mixture.
You can also use my mustard vinaigrette here for seasoning or use it after for serving the cabbage steaks.
Bake the cabbage steaks in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes.
Keep an eye on them and remove steaks when the leaves are nicely browned and the center is tender.
Once the cabbage steaks are done, sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.
Squeeze some lemon juice over the top for added flavor.
Serve the cabbage steaks warm with mashed potatoes, quinoa, pork chops, steak, seafood or pasta salads. Enjoy!
How To Make Cabbage Steaks on the Grill
Cabbage steaks are a great side dish for summer barbecue parties.
A couple of cabbage heads make a lot of servings and are quick to prepare while the meats are grilled.
If you prefer to grill your cabbage steaks, follow these simple steps:
- Prepare the cabbage as instructed for the oven method (check the recipe card below).
- Heat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit) and lightly brush it with oil.
- Place each cabbage steak directly onto the grill.
- Cook for about 5-8 minutes per side until the steaks are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The cabbage should be still crunchy and not too soft.
- Top the grilled cabbage steaks with parmesan cheese, your favorite dipping sauce (check below for my fave options).
Can You Make Cabbage Steaks In Air Fryer?
To prepare the cabbage for air frying, follow the instructions provided for the oven method (refer to the recipe card below).
Next, preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
Once preheated, carefully place the cabbage steak pieces into the air fryer basket, close the basket, and set the timer for 8 minutes.
For crispier edges, you can add an additional 2 minutes and check the doneness accordingly.
Recommended Equipment
No fancy equipment is needed. Here are the basics:
- Large Baking Sheet
- Sharp Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Airtight Food containers
- Mixing Bowls
Recipe Troubleshooting
How to Keep Cabbage From Tasting Bitter
If you find that your cabbage steaks taste slightly bitter, there are a few tricks to overcome this.
- Adding a pinch of sugar, a sprinkle of sea salt, or a generous squeeze of lemon juice can help offset the bitterness and enhance the overall taste of the dish.
- Make a simple garlic butter and drizzle on top which will mask the bitterness excellently.
Tips
- Choose fresh and crisp cabbage heads for the best results.
- Don't skip the oil as it helps tenderize the cabbage and prevents the seasonings from burning.
- Season both sides of the cabbage steaks for even flavor distribution.
- Cut the steaks evenly to ensure they cook at the same time. If you cut them too thick they won’t roast within the given timeframe (25-30 min) and if you cut them too thin, they will cook too fast and will become dry and not juicy as they should be.
- For an extra boost of nutrition, we love to add toppings such as toasted nuts (cashew, pecans, hazelnuts, peanut or almond flakes), sesame seeds, fresh herbs (parsley, basil, cilantro, thyme or rosemary), and grated Parmesan cheese (although nutritional yeast flakes are also our favorite option if you want to make it dairy free).
- Sometimes cabbage can taste bitter and this is where lemon comes into play. Lemon will balance off the bitterness and tastes great when paired with cabbage. Lime juice can be used as well.
What to Serve With Cabbage Steaks
Cabbage steaks can be enjoyed in various ways:
Our favorite way to serve cabbage steaks is with grilled meats, pork chops, pork tenderloin, rump roast or as an all veggie meal with other vegetable sides and grains.
To create a complete meal read my delicious roundup about what to serve with cabbage steaks.
We love to add different dipping sauces and dressing which will only make the cabbage steaks taste even better. Our favorite sauces for cabbage:
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Place the cooled steaks in an airtight storage container and keep them refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- To Reheat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the steaks on a piece of aluminum foil sprayed with vegetable oil or simply use parchment paper. Let the cabbage warm up for about 4-5 minutes and serve.
- To Freeze. You can freeze these too. I’d recommend freezing them slightly unbaked (cook them halfway through), place in airtight containers, and add the cheese later. They can stay frozen for up to 3 months. For the best meal prep option, I’d freeze cabbage disks raw with seasonings, and when ready to bake, thaw slightly and then bake. However, the texture may change slightly and become softer once reheated. I'd love to know if you try this option!
- To Make Ahead. If you want to get a head start on your cabbage steaks, you can slice the cabbage and whisk together the olive oil mixture ahead of time (ideally 1-2 days tops). Take care to store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
What To Do With Leftovers
If you have any leftover cabbage steaks, chop them into smaller pieces and repurpose them into a stir fry base similar to napa cabbage with mushrooms or used in my lazy cabbage casserole instead of sauteed cabbage.
Variations
There are endless possibilities to customize your cabbage steaks:
- Seasonings - feel free to swap out my basic spices for taco seasoning, use celery salt instead of regular salt or delicious cajun seasoning.
- Cabbage Steaks with Cheese - Parmesan is not the only option and you can use more melty cheeses such as mozzarella, sharp cheddar, or Gruyere. Grate the cheeses from a block so they can melt perfectly.
- Cabbage Steaks with Bacon - Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the finished steaks.
- Red Cabbage Steaks - Swap green cabbage for red cabbage. You may need to cook it for a little longer as the purple cabbage has often tougher leaves.
- Cabbage Steaks with Balsamic - Add balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze for a tangy twist.
- Make It Sweet - You can also experiment with adding some sweetness to the cabbage with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey + generous sprinkle of toasted nuts. Balsamic glaze will taste great on these too!
Cabbage Health Benefits
Cabbage offers numerous health benefits.
- It contains a chemical that may safeguard against radiation effects and the sulforaphane compound, known for its potential cancer-fighting properties.
- Additionally, half a cup of cooked cabbage provides 81.5 micrograms of vitamin K.
- Including cabbage in your diet, along with a variety of fruits and vegetables, has been linked to a reduced risk of various health conditions. This versatile vegetable comes in different colors and textures and is a great low-calorie option.
Why is cooked cabbage better than raw?
Cooking cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage not only helps release indole, which fights off precancerous cells according to Scientific American, but it also makes them easier to digest and reduces the risk of digestive problems associated with raw consumption in some people.
Thinking About Dessert? Try These!
For all baking recipes, hop on to our Desserts collection.
FAQs
Make cabbage steaks, casseroles, coleslaw, cabbage stir fries or read on for some great ideas about what to make with cabbage.
Yes, you can use red cabbage for a colorful twist. The roasting times may need to be increased slightly as the red cabbage has tougher leaves. Check the cabbage for doneness in the end and if needed, increase the baking times 5-10 minutes.
The key to achieving delicious cabbage is precise cutting and high-heat roasting. Maintain a hot oven to achieve lightly crisped edges with a subtle smoky flavor, while ensuring the interior remains tender and avoids becoming mushy or steamed.
Overall, it depends on your diet and digestion. If you have food intolerances or follow a low fodmap diet then it is better to eat it in small quantities and rather cooked cabbage than raw. Eating cabbage every day can be a healthy choice but having a varied diet with at least 30 plants a week is so much better and this is what I like to do myself.
Yes my recipe for crispy roasted cabbage steaks is 100% gluten free.
More Summer Side Dishes
Happy Cooking,
Love,
Julia
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Recipe
Easy Roasted Cabbage Steaks
INGREDIENTS
- 1 small green cabbage (cored and cut crosswise into ¾-inch slices, about 2 pounds)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
For Serving
- Lemon wedges (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Prepare the cabbage by removing the root end. Slice the cabbage into medium-thick disks, about ¾ to 1 inch thick. You should have around 5 disks. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use a brush to generously coat both sides of the cabbage steaks with this mixture.
- Bake the cabbage steaks in the preheated oven at 400°F for approximately 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them and remove them when the leaves are nicely browned and the center is tender.
- Once the cabbage steaks are done, sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley. Squeeze some lemon juice over the top for added flavor.
- Serve the cabbage steaks while hot and enjoy!
NOTES
- Cabbage - Green cabbage is the best choice for this recipe, but you can use red cabbage as well. Choose a young green cabbage head that is a little loose. I prefer green cabbage for its mild flavor as red cabbage tends to have more peppery and stronger flavor than green cabbage.
- Olive oil - Oil tenderizes the cabbage slices as they bake. I like to use good quality olive oil for its flavor and nutrition profile.
- Spices - Salt, paprika, and for a little spicy kick you can add optional red pepper flakes. For the most natural flavor, choose kosher salt or sea salt and not table salt.
- Lemon - Always use fresh and not bottled. The acid in lemon juice offsets the inherent bitterness of cabbage. However, it is still optional or you can add just a little drizzle while serving.
- Garlic - Can't skip this one! Garlic and parmesan add so much more flavor to these cabbage steaks.
- Toppings - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or chopped nuts make delicious garnishes.
- Prepare the cabbage as instructed for the oven method.
- Heat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit) and lightly brush it with oil.
- Place each cabbage steak directly onto the grill.
- Cook for about 5-8 minutes per side until the steaks are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The cabbage should be still crunchy and not too soft.
- Top the grilled cabbage steaks with parmesan cheese, your favorite dipping sauce (check below for my fave options)
PRIVATE NOTES
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Angela
This sounds incredible, will make tonight!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Angela! I'm sure you'll love it:)