If you aren't cooking cabbage on the grill, it's time to start. This simple grilled cabbage made with just four ingredients is seriously so good. The cabbage gets sweet as it cooks, smoky from the grill, and the crispy edges are worth fighting for. Serve it's with some Grilled Chicken or Pork for an easy outdoor meal.
As the warm weather continues, my quest to grill every vegetable continues and this cabbage on the grill is quickly becoming a favorite. It takes only a couple of minutes to prepare and is seriously the best cabbage you will ever eat. With the browned, crispy edges and tender crisp center - this is cabbage that everyone will love.
The other great thing about cabbage is that it is affordable, lasts for a long time, and can work with almost any spice blend. While grill seasoning is my current favorite with a lot of black pepper, you can try out all different options since cabbage is such a blank canvas. It also stands up well to marinades, vinaigrettes, and couldn't be more delicious drizzled with a little ranch dressing. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Lastly, if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, toss them in a salad or wrap. It adds crunch and flavor to any dish and the cooked cabbage keeps in the fridge for 4-5 days.
How to Grill Cabbage?
There are a few key steps to making sure that your cabbage turns out great on the grill.
- Cutting the cabbage correctly is the first step to making sure it is easy to grill. The best option is to cut the cabbage into steaks that are about 3/4 inch thick. Do this by cutting off a small piece bottom (root) end of the cabbage, being careful not to cut off too much of the root so the cabbage holds together. Place it on a cutting board, sitting up, so that the flat end is on the cutting board. Cut top to bottom into 3/4- to 1-inch thick slices to create the steaks. Cabbage wedges can also be cooked on the grill but they may fall apart.
- Then it's time to add flavor to the cabbage. Start with oil and then add any seasoning blend you like. The simple combination of olive oil and grill seasoning works great.
- Simply place them on a clean grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until they have nice grill marks, crispy edges, and is just tender. It's important to note that they will be tender crisp, not super tender like when cabbage is boiled or braised.
- What about the extra pieces? Sometimes when you are cutting the cabbage, you may end up with some small extra pieces that fall off. Toss them on a piece of foil with some olive oil and seasoning. Cook them right on the grill in the foil, stirring 1-2 times during cooking.
What kind of cabbage can be grilled?
Although this recipe calls for a traditional green cabbage, you can also grill red cabbage and Napa cabbage. Each will have a slightly different flavor with red cabbage being slightly sweeter and Napa cabbage having an almost celery note. Savoy cabbage can be difficult to grill since the leaves don't stay together quite as well.
Additionally, you can make Grilled Brussels Sprouts, which are also in the cabbage family.
Recipe Ideas and Serving Suggestions
Traditionally this is simply served as a side dish with whatever protein I happen to be cooking up on the grill. However, you can definitely get more creative when you think about how to serve grilled cabbage.
- Serve this as a Grilled Cabbage Steak for a vegetarian main dish. Drizzle with olive oil and add some crumbled cheese and chopped nuts to make it more substantial.
- Slice up the grilled cabbage to make a smoky version of coleslaw with this yummy grilled cabbage as the base.
- This cabbage tastes great drizzled with some homemade ranch dressing and an extra squeeze of lemon juice.
- Take the cabbage in an Asian direction with some freshly squeezed lime juice, a drizzle of Hoisin, and some chopped peanuts.
- To add some sweetness to the dish, add some apple slices to the grill as well. The sweetness of the apple pairs great with the earthiness of the cabbage.
- Grilled cabbage tastes great with all different types of marinades and vinaigrettes. For a simple prep, just use the same marinades or spice rubs you are using on the meat.
- Turn this into some yummy vegetarian tacos with black beans, avocado, salsa, and queso fresco.
- Cabbage and bacon is a natural pairing. Cook some crispy bacon on the side and chop it up to add to the grilled cabbage.
How to grill cabbage wedges in foil?
Another popular option when cooking cabbage on the grill is cooking them in foil. To be honest, this isn't my favorite option since the cabbage steams inside the packet. It will get some smoky flavor but none of the delicious crispy edges. With that said, it is still pretty tasty. Simply cut the cabbage into wedges, season them, and wrap in foil. Cook for 10-15 minutes, rotating a couple of times, until cooked through to your liking.