The Ultimate Roasted Cabbage Steaks (Crispy, Tender & So Easy!)
Imagine a vegetable dish so simple, so humble, yet so utterly transformative that it will completely change the way you think about cabbage. That, my friends, is the surprising, delicious magic of these Roasted Cabbage Steaks. By simply slicing a head of cabbage into thick “steaks” and roasting it in a hot oven, you unlock an incredible, savory sweetness you never knew it had. This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most satisfying way to enjoy this incredible vegetable.
I promise you, you will be absolutely amazed by the flavor that develops from just a handful of simple seasonings. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a fantastic, low-carb canvas for all sorts of delicious toppings. It’s hearty enough to be a plant-based main course and elegant enough to serve to guests. It’s pure, simple, and wholesome food at its absolute best.
Get ready to fall in love with cabbage and discover a recipe that is as versatile and delicious as it is incredibly easy to make.
Why These Cabbage Steaks Will Be Your New Favorite!
You are going to be so impressed with how a simple head of cabbage can become something so spectacular. It’s a guaranteed winner. Here’s why you have to make them:
- A True Vegetable Transformation: Roasting brings out a savory, nutty sweetness in the cabbage that is completely different from its raw or boiled state. It’s truly delicious!
- Crispy Edges, Tender Center: You get the absolute best of both worlds—the outer leaves become crispy and caramelized, while the core becomes wonderfully soft and tender.
- Incredibly Easy with Just 5 Ingredients: All you need is a head of cabbage, oil, and a few basic seasonings to create this amazing dish.
- A Healthy, Low-Carb Powerhouse: Cabbage is packed with nutrients and fiber, and these “steaks” are a fantastic, low-carb, and keto-friendly side dish or main course.
- Endlessly Versatile: This is the perfect base recipe. Serve them as is, or get creative with endless topping possibilities to turn them into a complete meal.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 40 minutes |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Calories | 121 kcal per serving |
| Course | Side Dish, Main Course |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Roasting |
Your Shopping List for This Simple Dish
It doesn’t get much simpler than this! Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious recipe:
→ For the Cabbage Steaks
- 1 head of cabbage → A standard green cabbage is perfect. Look for one that is firm, heavy for its size, and tightly packed.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil → For brushing on the steaks, which helps them brown and crisp up.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder → For a savory, aromatic flavor that permeates the cabbage.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt → Or to taste.
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper → Or to taste.
Let’s Get Roasting! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready for the easiest, most rewarding vegetable dish ever? Let’s get that oven preheated!
Part 1: Slice and Season
- Prep the Oven and Cabbage: Preheat your oven to a hot 400°F. First, trim the very bottom of the cabbage stem so you have a flat, stable base to stand it on.
- Slice the “Steaks”: Stand the cabbage upright on your cutting board. Carefully, using a large, sharp chef’s knife, slice the cabbage from top to bottom into thick, 1-inch slices. You should get about 4 good “steaks” from the center of the cabbage, plus a couple of smaller end pieces.
- Arrange and Season: Place the cabbage steaks in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, coat both sides of each steak with the olive oil. Then, sprinkle both sides evenly with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Part 2: Roast to Crispy, Tender Perfection
- Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 40 to 45 minutes. Be sure to flip the steaks carefully with a wide spatula about halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve Hot: The cabbage steaks are done when the edges are beautifully crispy and browned, and the center core is tender enough to be easily pierced with a knife. Serve them hot, straight from the oven!
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the bottom off the cabbage and stand it upright. Cut the cabbage into 1-inch thick slices or ‘steaks’.
- Place the cabbage steaks in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Brush the oil on both sides of the cabbage steaks and evenly sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping the steaks halfway through, until the edges are crispy and the center is tender.
- Serve hot.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Cabbage Steaks
These simple secrets will help you achieve the most delicious results every single time.
- Keep the Core Intact! When you trim the bottom of the cabbage, only remove the very end of the stem. The core is the “glue” that holds your beautiful steak slices together, so it’s essential to keep it intact.
- Cut Thick Slices. A 1-inch thickness is the perfect sweet spot. This allows the outside of the cabbage to get crispy and caramelized while the inside has enough time to become wonderfully soft and tender without falling apart.
- High Heat is Your Friend. Roasting at a hot 400°F is key to achieving that delicious contrast of textures. The high heat helps to quickly evaporate moisture from the outer leaves, allowing them to crisp up beautifully.
- Don’t Be Afraid of a Good Char. Those dark, crispy, almost-burnt edges are the best part! That’s where all the sweet, concentrated, caramelized cabbage flavor is. Let them get some good color.
- The Parmesan Trick. As the recipe notes suggest, adding a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of roasting is a fantastic way to add a salty, savory, “garlic-parm” flavor that is absolutely irresistible.
Keep It Fresh! Storing and Reheating
These cabbage steaks are fantastic for meal prep and reheat surprisingly well.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover roasted cabbage steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: For the best texture, reheat the cabbage steaks in an air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes until the edges are re-crisped. You can also reheat them on a baking sheet in a hot oven (400°F) for 5-10 minutes. Microwaving will work, but they will be soft, not crispy.
FAQs: Your Cabbage Steak Questions, Answered!
What can I top these with to make them a full meal?
This is where the fun begins! These are a fantastic base. Try topping them with a drizzle of pesto and some toasted pine nuts, a spoonful of marinara and melted mozzarella for a “cabbage pizza,” some crispy bacon crumbles and a dollop of sour cream, or even a savory mushroom gravy.
Can I use a different kind of cabbage?
While green cabbage is the sturdiest and most classic choice for this method, you can also make delicious steaks with red cabbage. The flavor will be slightly different, and the color will be stunning!
My cabbage steaks fell apart. What happened?
This usually happens for one of two reasons: either the core was accidentally cut out when you trimmed the stem, or the slices were cut too thin. Make sure to leave that core intact and aim for a sturdy, 1-inch thickness.
Can I cook these on the grill?
Yes, absolutely! Grilled cabbage steaks are fantastic. Brush them with oil and season as directed. Grill over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, until you have beautiful char marks and the center is tender. They get a wonderful, smoky flavor.
Final Thoughts: A Cabbage Conversion
There is such a profound sense of culinary satisfaction in taking a humble, everyday ingredient and transforming it into something truly special and delicious. These Roasted Cabbage Steaks are the perfect example of that simple magic. It’s a dish that will convert even the most ardent cabbage skeptics and will surely become a new, healthy staple in your recipe rotation. I hope you love them! Enjoy!
