Seasoned with garlic and spices, Cabbage Steaks turn tender inside with crispy, browned edges. Roast, air fry, or grill these thick cabbage slices for a savory vegetable side dish.
Roasted cabbage steaks bring out the natural sweetness of thick green cabbage slices, with caramelized edges, tender centers, and savory garlic, turmeric, and smoked paprika seasoning. Enjoy them as a vegetable side or meatless dish alongside Air Fryer Steak, Baked Chicken Breast, or Cauliflower Steak.
Quick Look: Cabbage Steaks
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 25 minutes
- ⏲️ Total Time: 35 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: Up to 12 cabbage steaks, depending on cabbage size
- 🌿 Flavor Profile: Savory, garlicky, smoky, and mildly earthy
- 🥬 Texture: Tender centers with browned, crispy edges
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy
- 🍴 Best For: Vegetable side dishes, meatless meals, and meal prep
- 🍳 Cooking Method: Oven, air fryer, or electric grill
- 🧄 Key Ingredients: Green cabbage, olive oil, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika
- Why This Recipe Works: Thick cabbage slices hold their shape during cooking, and a light coating of olive oil helps the edges brown as the centers turn tender and slightly sweet.
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Ingredients
- Green cabbage – 2 medium heads. Choose firm, heavy heads with tightly packed leaves that hold together when sliced. Green cabbage turns tender and slightly sweet after cooking.
- Olive oil – 3 tablespoons. Helps the cabbage brown around the edges and keeps the surface from drying out. Avocado oil works as an alternative.
- Garlic powder – 1 tablespoon. Spreads evenly over the cabbage and doesn't burn as quickly as minced fresh garlic during high-heat cooking.
- Smoked paprika – 2 teaspoons. Gives the cabbage a smoky taste with a little sweetness that complements its caramelized edges.
- Turmeric powder – 2 teaspoons. Gives the cabbage a mild, earthy taste and golden color that pairs well with the smoked paprika.
- Salt and ground black pepper – to taste. Salt brings out the cabbage's natural sweetness, and black pepper adds a little heat.
- Fresh thyme leaves – for garnish. Their earthy, slightly woodsy flavor pairs well with the smoked paprika. Fresh oregano or Italian seasoning also works.
- Lemon wedges – for serving. A squeeze of lemon adds acidity to the roasted cabbage and cuts through the olive oil. Lime wedges work as an alternative.
How to Make Cabbage Steaks
Prepare and Season the Cabbage
- Trim the cabbage: Remove any damaged or loose outer leaves and cut off the bottom or root end of each cabbage head. PIC. 1
- Cut the cabbage in half: Place the trimmed end on a cutting board and slice the head in half from top to bottom. PIC. 2
- Slice into steaks: Cut each half into ¾- to 1-inch-thick slices. PIC. 3
Note: Keep the core attached where possible to help hold the leaves together. Depending on the size of the cabbage, each head may yield 4–6 steaks. - Arrange and oil the slices: Place the cabbage steaks on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between them. Brush both sides with olive oil. PIC. 4
- Season the cabbage: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika over both sides. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. PIC. 5
Oven-Roasted or Baked Cabbage Steaks
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roast the cabbage: Place the seasoned slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Roast for about 25 minutes, until the tops are browned, the edges are crispy, and the centers are tender. PIC. 6
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Arrange the cabbage: Place the prepared and seasoned slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry the first side: Cook for 6–8 minutes, checking around the 6-minute mark to prevent burning.
- Flip and finish: Carefully turn the slices with tongs and cook for another 6–8 minutes, until the centers are tender and the tops are slightly browned.
Note: Cooking time depends on the thickness of the slices and the air fryer's performance. - Garnish and serve: Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh thyme, and serve with lemon wedges.
Grilled Cabbage Steaks
- Preheat the grill: Heat an electric grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
- Grill the first side: Place the prepared and seasoned slices directly on the grill. Cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Flip and finish: Carefully turn the slices and grill for another 2–3 minutes, until the centers are tender and the outsides are browned and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer to a serving platter and finish with fresh thyme and lemon wedges.
FAQ About Cabbage Steaks
What type of cabbage works best for this Cabbage Steaks recipe?
Green cabbage works best because its firm, tightly packed leaves hold together when sliced. Red cabbage also works, but its denser leaves may need more cooking time, and its color darkens during roasting.
Do you need to flip the slices in the oven?
No, flipping isn't necessary. Roast them at 400°F for about 25 minutes until the centers are tender and the edges are browned.
Why does roasted cabbage taste bitter?
Cabbage naturally contains compounds that can taste bitter, and burning the outer leaves can make it worse. Avoid excessive charring and add a squeeze of lemon before serving.
Can you make cabbage steaks without oil?
Yes, but the cabbage may turn out drier, with less browning around the edges. Olive oil also helps the seasonings stick to the slices.
What to Serve with Cabbage Steaks
- Chicken and Meat: Roasted chicken thighs or grilled pork tenderloin pair well with the smoky cabbage and make a satisfying dinner.
- Fish and Seafood: Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Tilapia work well with the garlic and paprika seasoning, especially with a squeeze of lemon.
- Vegetables: Roasted carrots and parsnips add a little sweetness, and air fryer asparagus brings a fresh contrast to the cabbage.
- Salads and Beans: White bean salad or butternut squash salad pairs well with cabbage steaks, especially when you want a meatless meal with more variety.
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Cabbage Steaks (Oven, Grill, or Air Fryer)
Seasoned with garlic and spices, Cabbage Steaks turn tender inside with crispy, browned edges. Roast, air fry, or grill these thick cabbage slices for a savory vegetable side dish.
Servings 12 steaks
Calories73.1 kcal
Cost $ 0.30 per steak
Equipment
- 2 Baking sheets
- 1 oven or air fryer or electric grill
- 1 cutting board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 brush
Ingredients
- 2 medium heads of green cabbage – not purple cabbage
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil – if preferred
- salt – to taste, I used table salt
- ground black pepper – to taste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- fresh thyme leaves or another herb of choice, such as oregano or Italian seasoning – to garnish the steaks
- lemon wedges or lime wedges – to serve, if preferred
Instructions
Prepare and Season the Cabbage
- Trim the cabbage: Remove any damaged or loose outer leaves and cut off the bottom or root end of each cabbage head.
- Cut the cabbage in half: Place the trimmed end on a cutting board and slice the head in half from top to bottom.
- Slice into steaks: Cut each half into ¾- to 1-inch-thick slices.Note: Keep the core attached where possible to help hold the leaves together. Depending on the size of the cabbage, each head may yield 4–6 steaks.
- Arrange and oil the slices: Place the cabbage steaks on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between them. Brush both sides with olive oil.
- Season the cabbage: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika over both sides. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
Oven-Roasted or Baked Cabbage Steaks
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roast the cabbage: Place the seasoned slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Roast for about 25 minutes, until the tops are browned, the edges are crispy, and the centers are tender.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Arrange the cabbage: Place the prepared and seasoned slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry the first side: Cook for 6–8 minutes, checking around the 6-minute mark to prevent burning.
- Flip and finish: Carefully turn the slices with tongs and cook for another 6–8 minutes, until the centers are tender and the tops are slightly browned.Note: Cooking time depends on the thickness of the slices and the air fryer's performance.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh thyme, and serve with lemon wedges.
Grilled Cabbage Steaks
- Preheat the grill: Heat an electric grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
- Grill the first side: Place the prepared and seasoned slices directly on the grill. Cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Flip and finish: Carefully turn the slices and grill for another 2–3 minutes, until the centers are tender and the outsides are browned and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer to a serving platter and finish with fresh thyme and lemon wedges.
Recipe Notes
Storage and Reheating
Make Ahead: Refrigerate whole, uncut cabbage heads for up to 2 weeks, depending on freshness. You can also slice the cabbage up to 2 days ahead and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to season and cook. Refrigerate: Store leftover cabbage steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Freeze: Place cooked cabbage steaks in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months for best quality. The cabbage may soften after freezing and lose some of its crispy texture. Thaw: Transfer frozen cabbage steaks to the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat: Arrange the cabbage steaks on a foil-lined baking sheet and lightly spray the tops with oil. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 7–10 minutes, or until the centers reach 165°F. Allow additional time if needed. The cabbage may be softer than when freshly cooked.Nutrition
Calories: 73.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.7g | Protein: 2.1g | Fat: 3.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.6g | Sodium: 28.1mg | Potassium: 281.3mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4.9g | Vitamin A: 312.5IU | Vitamin C: 55.5mg | Calcium: 62.5mg | Iron: 1mg
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
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