Cabbage Steaks (Oven, Grill, or Air Fryer) (2024)

Cabbage Steaks are an easy, healthy, and super flavorful main or side dish that you can cook in the oven, grill, or air fryer. They are tender inside, and both crispy and golden brown outside, making the perfect meatless meal for busy weekdays.

Let's save some money by incorporating some meatless meals into our weekly menu though.

It is also a healthy way to decrease the consumption of meat and ingest more plant-based nutrients without compromising flavor.

By ingesting nutritious yet less-caloric meals, it will also help us shed a few pounds and give us more energy.

Ready?

Why You'll Love this Cabbage Steaks Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This air-fried, grilled, or roasted cabbage steaks recipe calls for a few ingredients that you may already have in your pantry such as oil, lemon, seasonings, and herbs. Moreover, they are ready in up to 35 minutes depending on the cooking method you choose.
• Healthy: They are low-calorie, nutritious, vegan, low-carb, paleo, Whole30, dairy-free, and also gluten-free. Each steak only has 3.7 grams of net carbs!
• Delicious: Raw cabbage can taste bitter. However, properly cooked cabbage has a comforting caramelized flavor.
• Budget-friendly: If you're looking for saving some money on your groceries, this plant-based steak will help with it. Cabbage is available most of the year and is much cheap than meat.
• Versatile: You can swap spices and herbs, and also serve them with a variety of sauces. Plus, you can serve either as a main or side dish on different occasions or seasons.
• Use different cooking methods: You can use any of the 3 cooking methods that you prefer, depending on the season. I enjoy grilling them in the summertime and roasting or air frying them in the wintertime.
• Prep ahead: This healthy side dish makes a great meal prep for the week and you store the steaks in the fridge for up to 3-4 days as well as freeze them for longer.

How to choose cabbage

Look for cabbage heads that are:

1. Firm and heavy for their size (but not too large).
2. The outer leaves must be crisp, with a sheen, and without blemish.

The peak season for cabbage is between November and April, but it's available at grocery stores almost all year round.

How to Cut Cabbage for Cabbage Steaks

After removing any dark, loose leaves, cut off the bottom end (root) of the cabbage head.

Next, place the flattened end onto your cutting board. Now go ahead, and slice the head of the cabbage in half from top to bottom. Next, cut each half in half again, making ¾- to 1-inch thick slices.

Depending on the size of your cabbage head, you may end up with 4 to 6 (¾-thick) slices or discs.

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make these air fryer, grilled, or roasted cabbage steaks, you'll need:

• 2 small cabbage heads (green cabbage, not purple)
• 3 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil if you prefer)
• Salt to taste ( I used table salt)
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Fresh thyme leaves (to garnish the top of the steaks), or you can replace them with another herb of choice such as oregano or Italian seasoning.
• Lemon wedges (to serve with), or if you prefer, lime wedges

How to make cabbage steaks

Find out how to make baked, grilled, or air fryer cabbage steaks easily as follows:

1. Cut the stems off the cabbage heads and then cut each one in half, then in half again. You should have four flat discs of cabbage that are about ¾ to 1 inch thick from each head. Place the cabbage steaks on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper, allowing some space between each one to even cook.

2. Brush the cabbage with olive oil, coating them thoroughly. Then generously season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika on the cabbage steaks. Flip the cabbage over and repeat, brushing them with oil and sprinkling the seasonings. Then add a pinch of red pepper flakes to each one (optional).

3. FOR ROASTED OR BAKED CABBAGE STEAKS: Roast or Bake the cabbage steaks at 400°F for about 25 minutes, until the tops are browned (with crispy edges) and the center is tender. Serve hot out of the oven. Top the steaks with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and a side of lemon wedges.

4. FOR AIR FRYER CABBAGE STEAKS: Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Then, preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F. Place the steaks in one single layer in the basket., without overlapping. Make sure to not overload it so the hot air can circulate and cook the steaks evenly! You may have to cook your steaks in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
5. Cook them for 6-8 minutes, then flip them using tongs and cook for extra 6-8 minutes, or until soft inside and slightly browned on top. The total cook time will depend on the thickness of the steaks and also on the potency of your air fryer. TIP: Take a look at the steak at the 6-minute mark so their tops don't get burned.
6. OR FOR GRILLED CABBAGE STEAKS: Follow steps 1 and 2. Preheat your electric grill to medium-high. Oil the grates! Place cabbage steaks directly on the grill and grill them for 5-6 minutes, then flip them and grill for extra 2-3 minutes, or until tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Expert Tips on Cooking Cabbage Steak

• Choose the right cabbage: Fresh, crisp, feels heavy for its size, with a sheen, without loose leaves or blemishes.
• Don't skip the oil: Whatever cooking method you choose, it is key to brush your cabbage slices on both sides with an oil with a smoke point higher than 400 degrees F (or 200 degrees C). This step helps the cabbage steaks become tender and golden brown, and the seasonings stick to them.
• Season both sides: It will evenly distribute the flavors though!
• Check your steak at the minimum time mark stated on each of the 3 cooking methods to ensure the exterior won't get too dark and burn.
• Whatever method you choose, place each cabbage slice or disc in one single layer, without any overlapping, so they can cook evenly!
• Because oven, grill, and air fryer temperatures vary depending on the brand, it is important to cook your cabbage steaks until tender inside and both golden brown and crispy outside.

What to serve with cabbage steaks

• As a main dish, you may serve them with a green salad, air fryer asparagus, roasted carrots and parsnips, white bean salad, or this butternut squash salad.
• As a vegetable side dish, you may pair them with air fryer steak, baked chicken breast, air fryer salmon, or air fryer tilapia.

FAQ'S

What to do with cabbage steaks leftovers?

You can keep the cabbage steaks leftovers for 2-4 days in an airtight container in your fridge. Then, reheat them in the oven for 10 minutes.

Is cabbage healthy?

Yes! It contains fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium, vitamins C, A, and K, and is also low calorie.

How long should cabbage cook?

The total cook time will depend on the cooking method you choose, the thickness of the slices, and also the temperature you cook them. But overall, the more you cook the cabbage steaks, the softer they will become. At 400 degrees F, ¾-inch thick cabbage slices cook for about 12-16 minutes in the air fryer or 22-25 minutes in the oven. At medium-high, they will cook for about 10 minutes on an electric grill.

Can I make them ahead?

Yes! To prep ahead of time: slice your cabbage and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days in advance.To meal prep: once the cabbage steaks have been cooked, let them cool and place them into individual containers for the week.

How to store

Chill uncut cabbage heads in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Store leftover steaks:

• In the fridge: in an airtight container for 2-4 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months.
• In the freezer: Place these cabbage steaks in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
• To thaw, place them in the fridge and let them thaw overnight.
• To reheat, place steaks onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and spray oil on their tops. Heat them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 7-10 minutes, or until warm. Their texture will change slightly and they won't be as crispy as when they were first cooked.

Other Cabbage Recipes to enjoy

• Keto cabbage rolls
• Southern fried cabbage with bacon
• Cabbage and smoked sausage
• Creamy ham and cabbage soup
• Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage
• Homemade coleslaw with bacon
• Cabbage soup diet recipe

Other plant-based steaks to try

• Mushroom steak
• Cauliflower steak

PIN & ENJOY!

More Easy Vegetarian Recipes