Name: Easy Cabbage Steaks Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 small cabbage heads; 4 tbsp olive oil; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 tsp dried Italian herbs; 2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp paprika powder, optional

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.

Jump to Recipe

Roasted cabbage steaks are so easy and delicious. They are made with only four ingredients and can be served either as a part of main dish (serve with some grains and sauce on the side) or as a delicious side dish.

The cabbage steaks are a 100% vegan, but non-vegans will love them as well. They are soft, flavorful, and just a great way to prepare your cabbage, besides using in salads or stews.

Choosing The Cabbage

There are different types of cabbages; green, savoy, red/purple, Chinese, and more, but not all are equal and can be used for the same dishes. In the text below, you will learn about their characteristics and how and when to use each.

Green Cabbage

This is the classic and most common type of the cabbage. It is used in salads, stir-fry, or dishes the require long cooking.

When choosing green cabbage, make sure you find a heavy one, with tightly packed leaves. If the cabbage feels light, you may end up with steaks that fall apart.

Savoy Cabbage

This is a curly type of cabbage, with ruffled, deeply ridged leaves. The leaves are more layered than classic green cabbage, but it is less tightly packed than green cabbage.

Although this cabbage has a nice flavor, you cannot use it for roasting. Still, it is perfect for slaws, or braised in butter.

Red Cabbage

This cabbage is almost the same as green cabbage, except it is red. Red cabbage in general is a bit smaller than green cabbage. It is very tightly packed and feels heavy just like green cabbage.

If you want, this is the second variety you can use instead of green cabbage. Keep in mind that the red cabbage may turn bright purple when cooked. You can add some lemon juice to keep its original color.

Napa Cabbage

This is a very tender, almost salad-like type of cabbage. It has a lovely mild flavor and it is ideal for salads, but not for roasting.

Bok Choy

A well-known cabbage that is ideal for cooking, frying, and roasting, but you will not get delicious steaks with it. Although it is great when roasted, you will not get the same results.

Seasoning Cabbage Steaks

When I made these, I used very simple spices, but you can season the cabbage steaks to your preferences.

Here are some of my favorite combos:

Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
Basil, garlic powder, black pepper
Chili powder, cumin, oregano

Of course, you can use any combo you like, and cabbage really does pair nicely with most of the common spices.

Serving Cabbage Steaks

You can serve cabbage steaks as a main dish, as an appetizer, or a side dish. For a main dish, serve cabbage steaks with some cooked grains, or just covered with some sauce (steak sauce, hot sauce, or creamy mushroom sauce).

The steaks will pair nicely with any kind of pasta, tofu, or other types of grilled or roasted veggies.

When it comes to the grains, the cabbage steaks will perfectly pair with quinoa, millet, farro, and barley. White or brown rice is of course on the list too.

Tips For The Perfect Cabbage Steak

Cabbage steaks are so easy to make, but still if you are not careful, things may go wrong or you will not just be happy with the results.

Choose the right cabbage – As mentioned earlier, the right cabbage is the key. Choose a variety that is heavy and with tightly packed leaves.

Do not skip the oil – Oil helps the cabbage steaks become soft, but also prevents the cabbage steaks from burning, and keeps the spices in place. Make sure you thoroughly brush your cabbage steaks to prevent burning.

Cover the steaks for some time – If you think your steaks may burn, or just want to have them more tender, cover the steak for the first 15 minutes of baking, then remove the baking paper or aluminum foil and continue roasting until nicely browned.

Season both sides – Remember to flip the cabbage steaks and repeat the steps to oil and season them. For an easier method, just combine olive oil and spices in a bowl, and brush the steaks with this mixture.