Slices of roasted red cabbage on a plate.

February 28, 2022

• Side Dishes

Roasted Red Cabbage

With a honey balsamic marinade, this roasted red cabbage is an easy recipe with simple ingredients that's an incredibly versatile side dish. You'll never overlook this vegetable again.
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This roasted red cabbage recipe delivers on looks, and more importantly, taste. Slices are dipped in a marinade made with honey and balsamic vinegar. The result is an easy side dish that roasts in 20-25 minutes.

Slices of roasted red cabbage on a plate.
Contents
You Need This Red Cabbage Recipe – Trust Me
Ingredients & Substitutions
How To Make Roasted Red Cabbage
Serving
Leftovers
FAQs
More Cabbage Recipes
Roasted Red Cabbage Recipe

It may not be as popular as its fellow cruciferous veggies like cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts, but I’m here to make the case for humble cabbage. Lately, I’ve been very into these crunchy leaves as the base for salads and more. 

But I don’t always keep it raw. For this roasted red cabbage, I quickly marinate slices of cabbage in a honey balsamic mixture before putting them on a baking sheet and sliding it into the oven. 

If you’re usually meh on cabbage, you have to try roasting it. The leaves get crispy and caramelized on the edges and it brings out a kind of nutty flavor that goes perfectly with the acidity of the vinegar and the sweetness of the honey.

You Need This Red Cabbage Recipe – Trust Me

This grocery store standby may be officially named red cabbage, but I won’t correct you if you call it purple cabbage. The color is beautiful and bright. When you roast it, it does darken, but it still has that signature violet hue.

You are probably wondering if you can use green cabbage (a.k.a. regular white cabbage) instead, and the answer is yes. They are very similar in taste and texture.

Also, if you are trying to eat on a budget, cabbage is a great choice. The density of the leaves packs in a lot for the money for healthy recipes. Cabbage has vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, Vitamin B6 and lots of antioxidants. It’s low carb and low in calories if that’s on your mind, and you’re looking for a healthy side dish.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients including red cabbage, oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, spices and parsley.

This is what you need:

  • Cabbage:  My first choice is red cabbage for its deep purple color, but you can also use green cabbage. 
  • Olive oil: Make sure to reach for your bottle of extra-virgin olive oil for this recipe since it has very few ingredients. You want the best flavor possible.
  • Balsamic vinegar has such a distinct essence to it. If you prefer something lighter, you can substitute with sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
  • Honey gives the marinade something a little bit sweet. If you want the recipe to be vegan, swap it for maple syrup.
  • Mustard: A teaspoon of whole grain mustard like Dijon helps the marinade mix together and adds flavor.
  • Garlic powder & onion powder: Any chance I get to use ingredients from my spice drawer, I take it. Rather than mincing garlic and risking it burning in the oven, this potent dried powder version and onion add so much, especially when paired together.
  • Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch gives the marinade a hint of heat.
  • Salt & black pepper: These seasonings are a must for the flavor of the overall dish.
  • Parsley: The roasted cabbage is finished with chopped fresh herbs.

How To Make Roasted Red Cabbage

1. Prep the cabbage. Remove any wilted outer leaves. Trim the bottom off the whole cabbage with a sharp knife. After that, cut it in half lengthwise. Then cut it into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

Halved cabbage head on a cutting board and sliced cabbage on another cutting board.

2. Make the marinade. Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. I like doing this in a wide bowl with a flat bottom. While not required for the recipe, it does help get the slices in the marinade.

3. Dip the cabbage slices on each flat side into the marinade. I find this is much easier than using a pastry brush, and you can really coat the raw cabbage.

Dip each cabbage slice into the bowl of marinade

4. Place the slices on a large rimmed baking sheet. They should be in a single layer and not touching or overlapping. Like you would with any roasted vegetables, you want to maximize their contact with the pan to encourage browning.

5. Roast the cabbage until it is crisp and browned at the edges and caramelized. This takes 20-25 minutes. There’s no need to flip the cabbage. When you move the slices, some of the outer leaves may come apart. Just try to keep them intact as best as you can. 

marinated raw cabbage on a sheet pan, and roasted cabbage slices on another sheet pan.

6. Serve topped with chopped parsley.

Slices of roasted red cabbage on a plate.

Serving

These cabbage wedges are such an easy side dish. But you can treat them like red cabbage steaks and turn them into a main if you serve them on top of cooked lentils or rice. They look beautiful on the dinner table. I know it is mixing cuisines, but I would also consider adding a dollop of hummus for a store-bought sauce too if you are thinking vegetarian main dish or grain bowls.

Leftovers

Roasted cabbage is best eaten warm right after it comes out of the oven. You can store leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. They will lose their crispy edges. At that point, I recommend eating the cabbage cold and not trying to reheat it.

FAQs

What are the best ways to eat red cabbage?

You can thinly slice a head of cabbage and keep it raw for salads and slaws. Cabbage is also wonderful roasted, braised or sauteed.

What does red cabbage taste like roasted?

When you cook cabbage it has a slightly sweeter taste than it does raw. In this recipe I make a honey-balsamic marinade to enhance its roasted flavor.

More Cabbage Recipes

Asian Cabbage Salad
Apple Cabbage Salad
Sesame Soba Noodles
Sesame Ginger Noodles

Did you make this red cabbage recipe? Please leave a rating and comment below. Thanks!

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Slices of roasted red cabbage on a plate.

Roasted Red Cabbage Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Paige Adams
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

With a honey balsamic marinade, this roasted red cabbage is an easy recipe with simple ingredients that is an incredibly versatile side dish. You’ll never overlook this vegetable again.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head red cabbage
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Trim the bottom off the cabbage and cut it in half lengthwise. Then cut it into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. If possible, it helps to do this in a wide shallow bowl with a flat bottom.
  4. Dip each cabbage slice on both sides in the marinade. Place the slices on a sheet pan in a single layer. They should not be touching or overlapping.
  5. Roast the cabbage for 20-25 minutes until browned in spots and caramelized at the edges.
  6. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Notes

The cabbage is best served warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. They are best eaten cold.

Keywords: roasted red cabbage, roasted cabbage

Let me know if you've made this recipe.

Share a photo and tag @lastingredient on Instagram.

Recipe and Photography by Paige Adams

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  1. This was so yummy! I added a sprinkle of Slap Ya Mama seasoning to the dressing to add a little kick. I tossed it all together in a gallon ziplock bag and cooked it in the air fryer. The thin pieces came out like potato chips, and the thicker chunks were savory and delicious. Then I tried the recipe on some kale from the garden and it was fabulous! Each leaf was crispy and flavorful.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  3. I made this recipe yesterday. It was warm and seemed acceptable in flavor, you would think cabbage and its effects later. But it only gets better. This morning, I chopped up one of the refrigerated slices into a slaw-like consistency to take to work. OMG, the flavor and texture was amazing!! I could not get enough. Everything about this red cabbage dish does not compare to any green cabbage dish that I have tried before. This recipe is over the top. Thank-you for sharing such an heirloom! But if it wasn’t, it is now!! So enjoyable!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  4. This looks delish! I just got a red cabbage in my farm box and was going to ferment it but changed my mind. I’m def trying this! Thanks 🙂

    Reply