Grilled Cabbage

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, Grilled Pork, or Swordfish 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 brown, crispy edges and a 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 stands up well to marinades, vinaigrette, 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. 

Why We Love Grilled Cabbage

Here are a few reasons why we love this often-overlooked vegetable.

• Change of pace: Forgo the traditional with corn or broccoli and opt for cabbage instead.
• Great texture: Crunchy cabbage adds great texture to dishes or is great on its own.
• Adaptable: Grilled cabbage tastes great with any kind of seasoning.

If you are looking for more grilled veggie options try these: Grilled Cauliflower, Grilled Bok Choy, Grilled Tomatoes, or Grilled Butternut Squash.

Ingredients To Make Grilled Cabbage

Here’s what you need to make this simple recipe for grilled cabbage.

• Green cabbage: You can grill any type of cabbage including red cabbage, green cabbage, or napa cabbage.
• Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil but any kind of olive oil will work as will avocado oil.
• Steak seasoning: Any kind of grill seasoning works for this recipe, ideally pepper based. For something different, try lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or curry powder.
• Salt and pepper: Add salt and pepper to your liking to really bring out the flavor in the cabbage.

How To Make Grilled Cabbage

In just a few steps you can easily make grilled cabbage.

• Preheat the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• Trim the root: Cut off a small piece from the bottom (root) end of the cabbage, being careful not to cut off too much of the root so the cabbage holds together.
• Slice the cabbage: 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. Alternatively, you can cut the cabbage into wedges instead of steaks though they may take a few more minutes to cook.
• Season the cabbage: Brush with olive oil and season with steak seasoning.
• Grill the cabbage: Place the cabbage directly on the grill. Grill for 5-6 minutes on the first side. Then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes on the second side until it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can also place the cabbage in foil and place the foil on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes.

How To Eat Grilled Cabbage

Traditionally I’ve served grilled cabbage 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 of other options for serving grilled cabbage.

• Serve 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. You could even add a few beans for protein.
• Slice up the grilled cabbage to make a smoky version of coleslaw with this yummy grilled cabbage as the base.
• Drizzle the cabbage with some homemade ranch dressing and an extra squeeze of lemon juice.
• Make an Asian-inspired dish with some freshly squeezed lime juice, a drizzle of hoisin, and some chopped peanuts.
• Add some sweetness to the dish and add apple slices to the grill as well. The sweetness of the apple pairs great with the earthiness of the cabbage.
• Toss the grilled cabbage in 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 into some yummy vegetarian tacos with black beans, avocado, salsa, and queso fresco.
• Pair cabbage and bacon for a tasty side dish. Chop up some crispy bacon and add to the grilled cabbage.

How To Store Leftover Grilled Cabbage

If you happen to have leftovers, here’s what you should do with them.

• Fridge: Leftover grilled cabbage will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge though it may lose its crispy texture.
• Freezer: Freeze grilled cabbage for up to 3 months. Note it may not have the same texture when it thaws.
• Thaw: Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
• Reheat: Reheat the cabbage in the oven or under the broiler to crisp it up.

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.

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.