These melt-in-your-mouth Grilled Cabbage Steaks are the best way to serve up the humble vegetable! Just 3 ingredients, healthy, naturally keto, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-free, and paleo! The charred & smokey flavors of this tender grilled cabbage recipe make it a perfect quick & easy side dish that's ready in 10 minutes! Dress it up with toppings for a savory low-carb entree!
When life hands you a head of cabbage...what do you do? Grill it! Forget boiling, steaming, or eating it raw. The far superior way to flavor up this simple veggie is by tossing it on the grill! Smokey, charred, savory flavor, slight caramelization, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture; say goodbye to mushy, bland, and bitter cabbage once and for all! It's healthy and low-carb without all the fat of a mayo-based coleslaw either!
Why You'll Love This Cooking Method
Boiling and steaming cabbage leads to bland, mushy, slimy cabbage. Coleslaws may be filled with eggs, allergens, and mayo. Raw cabbage can be bitter and very hard to digest roughage on the stomach. And you may not have the time to wait for your cabbage to ferment into salty sourkraut! But grilling...is one of the quickest, easiest, and healthiest ways to serve up the humble veggie! This recipe is 100%...
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan & Vegetarian
- Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Coconut-Free, Corn-Free)
- Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo
- Sugar-Free
- Kid-Friendly
- Customizable Seasonings
- Meal Prep & Make-Ahead Friendly
- Simple Side Dish or Entree With Toppings
- Great For Potlucks, BBQs, Cookouts, & Summer Entertaining
Cabbage Nutrition
Regardless of how you eat it, cabbage is a super healthy vegetable. One cup of raw cabbage only contains 22 calories, 1g protein, 2g fiber, 0g fat, 4g carbs. It's loaded with Vitamin K, Vitamin C, folate, manganese, and Vitamin B6, and contains calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Not to mention it's packed with antioxidants to fight inflammation and contains both insoluble and soluble fiber, making it great for healthy digestion, cardiovascular health, and reducing LDL cholesterol.
Is Cabbage Healthier Cooked Or Raw?
Not only does cooking cabbage make it tastier, and easier to chew and digest, but it also releases and preserves its rich antioxidant profile as well. Certain veggies supply even more antioxidants, such as carotenoids and ferulic acid, when they are lightly cooked and softened. By grilling the cabbage you avoid boiling it to oblivion and destroying any nutrients through heavy frying.
Suggested Ingredients
- Head of Cabbage: One of the most budget-friendly veggies you can buy! A big head of fresh cabbage to cut into thick "steaks". The number of steaks you get out of your head of cabbage will depend on the size you choose. A manageable size will yield about 4-6 ½-inch thick cabbage steaks.
- Olive Oil: A small amount of your favorite olive oil will be used to lightly brush both sides of the cabbage steaks before seasoning and grilling them. This helps with the smokey flavor and beautiful charring.
- Seasonings: You can use any seasonings you'd like! Spices, herbs, anything in your pantry is fair game! I used salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika!
More Great Flavoring Suggestions
- Make it spicy with chili powder, cayenne, or chipotle powder.
- Take it down south with some Cajun seasoning.
- Bring out summer vibes with Old Bay seasoning.
- Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, or oregano for an Italian theme.
- Brush the cabbage with coconut aminos, ginger, and sesame for Asian flavors.
- Sprinkle on some curry powder or garam masala for a unique Indian spin.
How To Cut The Cabbage Steaks For Grilling
- Prep the fresh head of cabbage by removing any loose and ripped outer leaves. Give it a quick rinse and pat dry.
- Place the flat bottom stem on a hard flat surface or cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut straight down on the cabbage, making about ½-inch thick steaks all the way across (from one side to the other).
It's okay if some outer leaves detach or hang. As long as each slice has a part of the stem attached, the cabbage steak will remain intact when cooked on the grill. Also note that the smaller the head of the cabbage, the tighter the inner leaves will be.
How To Grill Cabbage Steaks
- Brush each side of your cabbage steak with a small amount of olive oil.
- Sprinkle and rub in your seasonings of choice on both sides as well.
- On a preheated grill over medium-high heat, place the seasoned cabbage steak down and grill for about 5-6 minutes.
- Flip the cabbage steaks using tongs and grill the other side for another 5-6 minutes until the cabbage has softened, the center has become tender, and the outer leaves are charred and crisp.
How Long Should You Grill Them?
If your cabbage steaks are ½-inch thick, they should be perfectly grilled in just 5-6 minutes per side. If you want a more charred and tender steak, cook each side for 8-10 minutes. If your slices are thicker, they will need longer cooking time on the grill to soften all the way through.
Indoor or Outdoor Grill
Maybe it's winter, maybe it's summer, you can grill inside or outside! Using a grill pan is as simple as preheating the pan over high-medium heat. The same goes for electric countertop grills! When using an outdoor gas grill, preheat it over medium-high heat, and don't close the cover when grilling each side. You can use a charcoal grill as well, adding a few minutes of grill time to each side.
Can You Roast Them In The Oven?
Don't have a grill? You can roast the cabbage steaks in the oven too! Preheat your oven to 425°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and roast the cabbage steaks for 15-20 minutes until crispy and tender! Make sure to leave plenty of room between the steaks on the pan so they don't steam each other while roasting.
Storage Instructions
- To Store: You can store leftover cabbage steaks in an airtight container in the fridge for about 7 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat the cabbage steaks in a toaster oven or oven at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes. You can also reheat and re-crisp them in a pan on the stove or in your air fryer!
- To Freeze: You can freeze the grilled steaks by wrapping each individually in wax paper and then storing them in an airtight freezer-safe storage bag with all the air sucked out for up to 6 months. Do not defrost before reheating from frozen.
Topping Ideas
Make your grilled vegetable side dish entree-worthy with these fun and delicious topping ideas!
- Drizzle them with tahini
- Add some shredded vegan cheese
- Use crunchy and smokey coconut bacon
- Drizzle with a balsamic reduction
- Pile on black beans, corn, sour cream, and vegan nacho cheese sauce
- Add dukkah or a mixture of crunchy nuts and seeds
What To Serve Cabbage Steaks With
You can serve this delicious grilled recipe in salads and grain bowls or pair it with grilled proteins, or even add it to burgers! Here are some yummy ideas to get you started!
- Garden Veggie Burgers or Chickpea Burgers
- Grilled Chicken or Cedar Plank Salmon
- Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad
- Pasta Salad or Warm Potato Salad
- Serve a Platter of Grilled Veggies and Spreads
Grilled Cabbage Steaks
These melt-in-your-mouth Grilled Cabbage Steaks are the best way to serve up the humble vegetable! Just 3 ingredients, healthy, naturally keto, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-free, and paleo! The charred & smokey flavors of this tender grilled cabbage recipe make it a perfect quick & easy side dish that's ready in 10 minutes! Dress it up with toppings for a savory low-carb entree!
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Side, Main
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 Large Head of Green Cabbage
- 1-2 TB Olive Oil
Seasonings:*
- ½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- Salt
Instructions
- Prep the fresh head of cabbage by removing any loose and ripped outer leaves. Give it a quick rinse and pat dry.
- Place the flat bottom stem on a hard flat surface or cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut straight down on the cabbage, making about ½-inch thick steaks all the way across (from one side to the other).
- Brush each side of your cabbage steak with a small amount of olive oil.
- Sprinkle and rub in your seasonings of choice on both sides of the steaks.
- On a preheated grill over medium-high heat, place the seasoned cabbage steak down and grill for about 5-6 minutes.
- Flip the cabbage steaks, using tongs, and grill the other side for another 5-6 minutes until the cabbage has softened, the center has become tender, and the outer leaves are charred and crisp.
Notes
Seasonings: These are suggestions. You can use any seasonings you'd like, in the amounts you'd like. Adjust everything to taste.
To Store: You can store leftover cabbage steaks in an airtight container in the fridge for about 7 days.
To Reheat: Reheat the cabbage steaks in a toaster oven or oven at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes. You can also reheat and re-crisp them in a pan on the stove or in your air fryer.
To Freeze: You can freeze the grilled steaks by wrapping each individually in wax paper and then storing them in an airtight freezer-safe storage bag with all the air sucked out for up to 6 months. Do not defrost before reheating from frozen.
No Grill? Preheat your oven to 425°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and roast the cabbage steaks for 15-20 minutes until crispy and tender! Make sure to leave plenty of room between the steaks on the pan so they don't steam.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
Keywords: grilled cabbage, cabbage steaks, grilled cabbage steaks, grilled vegetables, roasted cabbage
The number one way to make cabbage absolutely, unbelievably, and undeniably delicious? Grill it!
So tell me:
+ What's your favorite way to eat cabbage? I love some Irish Colcannon, but of course, sourkraut takes the crown for me!
———————————————-
Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovin’: Strength and Sunshin
Stacie
Those grill marks make for a wonderful presentation!
Rebecca Pytell
They always do!
Doreen McGettigan
I'm so glad I found your blog! I have celiac and soooo many allergies. I also recently had surgery for my second bout with colon cancer. Eating carefully and healthy is a priority!
Rebecca Pytell
I hope you enjoy our recipes!
Christine
I love a good grilled veggie recipe! thanks!
★★★★★
Rebecca Pytell
Great, enjoy!
Lashunta
I’ve never heard of cabbage steaks. I love cabbage, I’ll give these a try.
★★★★★
Rebecca Pytell
You'll love it prepared this way!