Oven Roasted Garlic Cabbage Steaks – Crispy, Caramelized & Packed With Flavor

🎉 Introduction

If you’re searching for a simple vegetable recipe that transforms humble cabbage into a rich, savory, and crave-worthy side dish, these Oven Roasted Garlic Cabbage Steaks are about to become a household favorite. With their crispy golden edges, tender centers, and bold garlic seasoning, these cabbage steaks will surprise anyone who thinks cabbage is boring.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity — a large head of cabbage, a drizzle of olive oil, and a vibrant blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and salt bring out deep roasted flavor without any effort. Once cooked at a high temperature, the cabbage becomes naturally sweet, slightly smoky, and wonderfully caramelized on the edges.

Whether you’re cooking for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prepping healthy sides, or creating a beautiful holiday spread, these garlic cabbage steaks deliver big flavor with very little work. They are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, and incredibly easy, making them ideal for almost every type of diet.

Prepare to fall in love with one of the simplest, most comforting vegetable dishes you’ll ever make.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large baking sheet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Small mixing bowl
• Pastry brush or spoon
• Parchment paper (optional, for easier cleanup)
• Oven preheated to 425°F (220°C)

🛒 Ingredients

Fruits & Vegetables

• 1 large green or red cabbage
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme

Spices

• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt

Oils & Vinegars

• 3 tbsp olive oil

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

1. Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage.
2. Place the cabbage on a cutting board stem-side down.
3. Slice the cabbage into thick steaks, about 1 to 1½ inches each.
4. Lay each steak flat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Make sure the pieces are not overlapping for even roasting.

Step 2: Mix the Garlic Seasoning

1. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix well until the spices are evenly blended.

Step 3: Season the Cabbage Steaks

1. Drizzle the cabbage with half the olive oil.
2. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture evenly over the top.
3. Gently flip each cabbage steak.
4. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and season with the rest of the spice blend.
5. Use your fingers or a brush to spread the oil and spices across the surface for full coverage.

Step 4: Roast Until Crispy & Caramelized

1. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
2. Roast for 20 minutes, then carefully flip each steak.
3. Continue roasting for another 15–20 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
4. Remove from the oven when the centers are tender and the outside is beautifully caramelized.

Step 5: Serve

1. Transfer the cabbage steaks to a serving plate.
2. Optionally sprinkle with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
3. Serve hot and enjoy the rich roasted garlic flavor.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Total Time: 45–50 minutes

Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or pairing with meat, chicken, fish, or vegetarian mains.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Not recommended — cabbage becomes mushy when thawed.

Reheating

• Oven: 5–7 minutes at 375°F (190°C)
• Air fryer: 3–5 minutes at 375°F
• Skillet: Heat with a touch of oil until warmed through

The cabbage will re-crisp beautifully!

🥄 Variations

• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
• Lemon Herb: Add fresh lemon juice and parsley after roasting.
• Italian Style: Sprinkle with Italian seasoning instead of thyme.
• Cheesy Upgrade: Add parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
• Butter Flavor: Mix melted butter with the olive oil for richer browning.
• Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle balsamic reduction after baking for sweetness.
• Smoked Flavor: Use smoked salt or extra smoked paprika.
• Low-Sodium: Reduce salt and increase herbs for flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use red cabbage instead of green?
   Yes! Red cabbage works beautifully and becomes slightly sweeter once roasted.
2. How thick should cabbage steaks be?
   Ideally 1 to 1½ inches so they stay intact and roast without burning.
3. Do I need to boil the cabbage first?
   No — roasting from raw gives you better texture and caramelization.
4. Why are my cabbage steaks not crispy?
   Make sure they are spread out on the baking sheet and not overlapping.
5. Can I season them differently?
   Absolutely — use any spice blend you enjoy.
6. Is olive oil necessary?
   Yes, it helps crisp the edges and prevents drying out.
7. Can I make these in the air fryer?
   Yes, air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
8. Can I prepare them ahead of time?
   You can season them ahead, but roast right before serving for best texture.
9. Are cabbage steaks healthy?
   Very! They are low-carb, rich in fiber, and loaded with vitamins.
10. Can I add protein to make it a full meal?
    Yes — serve with chicken, salmon, shrimp, beef, or tofu.

🏁 Conclusion

These Oven Roasted Garlic Cabbage Steaks are the perfect example of how a simple vegetable can become a delicious, satisfying, and versatile side dish. With crispy edges, tender centers, and bold garlic seasoning, they elevate any dinner plate with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking healthy meals, prepping your weekly menu, or creating a beautiful holiday spread, these cabbage steaks offer the perfect balance of flavor, nutrition, and simplicity. Make them once, and they’ll quickly earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation!

Adam

Oven Roasted Garlic Cabbage Steaks – Crispy, Caramelized & Packed With Flavor

If you’re searching for a simple vegetable recipe that transforms humble cabbage into a rich, savory, and crave-worthy side dish, these Oven Roasted Garlic Cabbage Steaks are about to become a household favorite. With their crispy golden edges, tender centers, and bold garlic seasoning, these cabbage steaks will surprise anyone who thinks cabbage is boring. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity — a large head of cabbage, a drizzle of olive oil, and a vibrant blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and salt bring out deep roasted flavor without any effort. Once cooked at a high temperature, the cabbage becomes naturally sweet, slightly smoky, and wonderfully caramelized on the edges. Whether you’re cooking for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prepping healthy sides, or creating a beautiful holiday spread, these garlic cabbage steaks deliver big flavor with very little work. They are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, and incredibly easy, making them ideal for almost every type of diet. Prepare to fall in love with one of the simplest, most comforting vegetable dishes you’ll ever make.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Fruits & Vegetables

• 1 large green or red cabbage
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme

Spices

• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt

Oils & Vinegars

• 3 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

• Large baking sheet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Small mixing bowl
• Pastry brush or spoon
• Parchment paper (optional, for easier cleanup)
• Oven preheated to 425°F (220°C)

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

1. Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage.
2. Place the cabbage on a cutting board stem-side down.
3. Slice the cabbage into thick steaks, about 1 to 1½ inches each.
4. Lay each steak flat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Make sure the pieces are not overlapping for even roasting.

Step 2: Mix the Garlic Seasoning

1. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix well until the spices are evenly blended.

Step 3: Season the Cabbage Steaks

1. Drizzle the cabbage with half the olive oil.
2. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture evenly over the top.
3. Gently flip each cabbage steak.
4. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and season with the rest of the spice blend.
5. Use your fingers or a brush to spread the oil and spices across the surface for full coverage.

Step 4: Roast Until Crispy & Caramelized

1. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
2. Roast for 20 minutes, then carefully flip each steak.
3. Continue roasting for another 15–20 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
4. Remove from the oven when the centers are tender and the outside is beautifully caramelized.

Step 5: Serve

1. Transfer the cabbage steaks to a serving plate.
2. Optionally sprinkle with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
3. Serve hot and enjoy the rich roasted garlic flavor.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Not recommended — cabbage becomes mushy when thawed.

Reheating

Oven: 5–7 minutes at 375°F (190°C)

Air fryer: 3–5 minutes at 375°F

Skillet: Heat with a touch of oil until warmed through

The cabbage will re-crisp beautifully!

🥄 Variations

Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

Lemon Herb: Add fresh lemon juice and parsley after roasting.

Italian Style: Sprinkle with Italian seasoning instead of thyme.

Cheesy Upgrade: Add parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Butter Flavor: Mix melted butter with the olive oil for richer browning.

Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle balsamic reduction after baking for sweetness.

Smoked Flavor: Use smoked salt or extra smoked paprika.

Low-Sodium: Reduce salt and increase herbs for flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use red cabbage instead of green?
Yes! Red cabbage works beautifully and becomes slightly sweeter once roasted.

How thick should cabbage steaks be?
Ideally 1 to 1½ inches so they stay intact and roast without burning.

Do I need to boil the cabbage first?
No — roasting from raw gives you better texture and caramelization.

Why are my cabbage steaks not crispy?
Make sure they are spread out on the baking sheet and not overlapping.

Can I season them differently?
Absolutely — use any spice blend you enjoy.

Is olive oil necessary?
Yes, it helps crisp the edges and prevents drying out.

Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes, air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Can I prepare them ahead of time?
You can season them ahead, but roast right before serving for best texture.

Are cabbage steaks healthy?
Very! They are low-carb, rich in fiber, and loaded with vitamins.

Can I add protein to make it a full meal?
Yes — serve with chicken, salmon, shrimp, beef, or tofu.

🏁 Conclusion

These Oven Roasted Garlic Cabbage Steaks are the perfect example of how a simple vegetable can become a delicious, satisfying, and versatile side dish. With crispy edges, tender centers, and bold garlic seasoning, they elevate any dinner plate with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking healthy meals, prepping your weekly menu, or creating a beautiful holiday spread, these cabbage steaks offer the perfect balance of flavor, nutrition, and simplicity. Make them once, and they’ll quickly earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation!