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Today’s recipe definitely brings me back to my childhood. I grew up in an Irish-Polish family with a deep love for St. Patrick’s day. It’s probably why I’m all about pickles, horse radish sauce and sauerkraut… I’ve even got a Sauerkraut Juice Smoothie! Today, I’m sharing my version of a childhood recipe, Roasted Cabbage Wedges.
This recipe is full of flavor thanks to the sauce, has incredible texture (especially when you blacken the edges) and is the perfect side dish. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Side dishes don’t have to be complex or use several ingredients. A simple dish like my Roasted Butternut Squash or Baked Potato Wedges can easily dress up a meal without complicating it.
Table of Contents
How to Roast a Head of Cabbage
I know many of you have a love/hate relationship with cabbage, and I don’t blame you! If you grew up on boiled, soggy cabbage then you are missing out. This recipe is 100% crispy and comforting.
Cabbage is full of tightly layered leaves. Before you chop it and toss it into the oven, be sure to soak those wedges in a bowl of water for a few minutes to pull out any excess dirt.
Since I’m roasting on high heat, I want to use an oil that won’t burn. Avocado oil is a rich oil that is perfect for this recipe. You’ll use it in the sauce as well.
Bake until the outside is toasty. The cabbage edges should be browned. If you like a black char then feel free to broil for a few minutes just before removing (watching it closely!).
Picking the Right Cabbage
I use cannonball cabbage for this recipe. It roasts perfectly on the outside while turning tender in the middle. Yum! I find purple cabbage too thick for this recipe, yet if that’s what you’ve got on hand then go for it!
What is your favorite type of cabbage? Leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to try this recipe out on a new variety!
Seasoning Roasted Cabbage Wedges
While you can season your cabbage wedges however you want, I find my parsley sauce the perfect edition to this roasted dish. I also season with garlic, sea salt and pepper before roasting to enhance the natural flavors as well.
If spice isn’t your thing then just omit the red pepper flakes. You can even keep them in a side dish for anyone who wants to add some to their individual portion.
Roasted Cabbage FAQs
My roasted cabbage recipe is a great way to incorporate delicious cabbage into your diet. It’s made with real ingredients and no weird additives. You can use less healthy fat than I do with the avocado oil, and spice it exactly how you want.
I use a brush when adding avocado oil to cabbage before roasting it. This allows for better coverage between the tight leaves and results in a crispy on the outside, tender on the inside dish.
I use a large knife with a pointed end. That way I can seamlessly slice through the head of cabbage (on a cutting board, of course!) without having to hack at it. Start with the cabbage on its side, meaning the core is facing you and not touching the cutting board. Slice in half, cutting through the core. Once you’ve halved the cabbage, you can more easily cut it into wedges. I leave the core in when roasting cabbage to help keep the leaves all together. It’s easy to remove once you’re ready to serve it.
More Easy Vegetable Recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. I know part of it is nostalgia, yet it’s also just a good dish! If you’re looking for more ways to easily incorporate veggies into your meals then check out some of these great options:
- Homemade Hummus: the perfect snack for any occasion.
- Roasted Butternut Squash: a simple accompaniment to a variety of meals.
- Warm Potato Curry: comfort food loaded with delicious ingredients.
- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: a great appetizer or the main event!
- Fresh Potato Salad: Prep ahead for a week of easy lunches or dress up for a party.
- Thai-Inspired Lettuce Wraps: The ‘meat’ of this recipe is truly unique and delicious.
- Skillet Green Beans: This takes a short time to create yet tastes divine and has a fun twist!
Will you rate + review this recipe once you’ve made it? Your feedback is so valuable to me!
Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
- 1 green cabbage head large
- 4 tbsp avocado oil plus more for baking sheet
- 1 garlic cloves minced, divided
- 1 tsp sea salt divided
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 lemon freshly juiced and zested
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Drizzle a little avocado oil over the parchment.
- Prepare the cabbage by peeling away any yellowed or dry outer leaves. Cut the cabbage in half, leaving the core intact. Cut each half into 1-inch thick wedges.
- Place wedges in a large bowl of cool water and allow to soak for 3-5 minutes to remove excess dirt. Pat dry with a clean dish towel.
- In a small bowl, stir together 2 tsp of minced garlic with 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1/2 tsp sea salt and black pepper. Drizzle or brush the garlic oil over the cabbage, making sure some get in between the layers.
- Place the baking sheet into the oven. Roast 25-30 minutes, or until toasty looking and tender. While the wedges are roasting, prepare the parsley sauce.
- In a bowl, stir together lemon zest and juice with the remaining 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp garlic, 1/2 tsp sea salt, red pepper flakes and paprika. Add the chopped parsley. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.
- To serve, transfer the cabbage wedges to a serving platter and drizzle with some of the parsley sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Leaving the core intact while baking helps prevent the wedges from falling apart before you’re ready to serve them.Â
- I recommend using cannonball cabbage (the green head you typically see at the grocery store) in this recipe for the best results.Â
- Avocado oil works great since it has a high heat point, yet you can swap with coconut oil or olive oil if needed.
I have not tried this yet but as soon as I get some cabbage, I will. Is it okay to use the Protein Boost ? Hope so.
Oh my word! This was fabulous! I had a cabbage sitting around, saw the recipe, and made it this morning for breakfast. The only thing I changed was used olive oil, (bottled)lemon juice with no zest, plus I added rosemary and thyme leaves to the drizzle sauce. I will definitely make this again.
Jen made this for our annual St Patricks Day Party and boy-was it a hit! I love roasted veggies, but this was a new one for me-usually I just BOIL it and serve with Irish butter and a vinegar. Pretty bland I must admit. So now that she made it for me and it all disappeared with our crowd of 25 folks-I’m going to have to make this every year and not just for St Pats Day. A new addition to roasted veggies! Yayyyyyy.
My husband cannot stand the smell of boiled/steamed cabbage. Does this have any of that smell since it’s roasted? I’d love if this is a way I can have cabbage again. It looks so good!
The cabbage smell is def not as prominent when it’s roasting in the oven, plus the incredible smell of the seasonings will take over. It’ll smell GOOD! I think you’ve got a very good chance at being able to cook and eat cabbage again!
I didn’t have fresh parsley and will make sure I do next time. I still like boiled but will make this with steak or ham as a side.
I’m glad you gave it a shot! It will make a fantastic side with both of those things!
I’ve been making a very similar recipe from Smitten Kitchen and its been an absolute favorite of mine! Who knew I could love cabbage so much, excellent with the Savoy cabbage. The other recipe calls for roasted walnuts and optional parmesan 🙂
That’s a great idea to add optional roasted walnuts or parmesan!
I’m not always a fan of cabbage yet the seasoning on this makes it look delish!
Choosing the right seasoning can truly make a huge impact in how our tastebuds perceive foods.
There’s only one way to find out if it makes all the difference for you! 😉
Can I use olive oil instead of avocado oil?
Definitely! Olive oil is a perfect substitute for avocado oil.
I will try this.
Def let us know what you think!
Savoy cabbage is our favorite. Do you think it would work for this recipe?
Absolutely!! Sounds yummy!!
Cabbage is one of my favorite vegetable dishes!! I can’t wait to try this new recipe 🙂
Yes, cabbage is tasty and packed full of yummy goodness!