Name: Loaded Cabbage Steaks with Bacon and Blue Cheese Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 large head green cabbage, cut into 6 evenly thick slices; 2 T. extra virgin olive oil; 1 t. garlic powder; Sea salt and black pepper, to taste; 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled; 2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled; 3 T. fresh parsley, chopped; ½ c. full fat sour cream; 2 T. sugar-free mayonnaise; 1½ t. Worcestershire sauce; ½ small shallot, very finely minced; 2 oz. blue cheese crumbles; 2 T. heavy cream; Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Loaded cabbage steaks are loaded with all the ingredients you love, like bacon and blue cheese dressing. Cabbage is a great way to get more vegetables into your diet while still enjoying hearty comfort food. This dish is perfect for any occasion from a light meal to an unusual appetizer at a party.

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What is a cabbage steak?

A cabbage steak is a new word that didn’t exist a few years ago, but it is becoming more popular. It has nothing to do with beef and everything to do with how the vegetable is sliced.

cabbage steaks with salt pepper and thyme on a baking tray

We slice the cabbage like a butcher would cut a steak from a larger hunk of meat rather than chopping it into wedges, shreds, or tearing the leaves. The aim is to get slices that are an equal 1 inch thick and keep their form while cooking them.

What’s the best way to cut the cabbage?

The center cut of the cabbage is the simplest to work with. The stem on this slice is still connected to the rest of the steak, making it much easier to hold together while cooking. When cooking for two to four people, one whole cabbage yields four stem pieces.

Begin by cutting the cabbage in half vertically, then halving it horizontally into two halves. Using one of the halves, vertically slice it into two pieces; each will have two quarters with equal amounts of stem. Slice two steaks 1″ to 1 1/2″ thick from each quarter, keeping in mind to include the stem. The remaining sections can be used in another dish.

How to Keep Cabbage From Tasting Bitter

Cabbage’s organic compounds include sulfur, which may produce a slightly harsh flavor on occasion. If you detect that your cabbage steaks are somewhat sharp, here are some solutions for reducing the bitterness:

Sugar is a wonderful addition to any meal and can enhance the taste of a dish in so many ways. The sweet tastes will help to balance out the harsh tastes. Add a sprinkle of sugar to your cabbage, top it with honey, or prepare and serve it with sweet ingredients like garlic, yellow onions, or bell peppers to improve the flavor.
Additionally, use salt instead of sugar. In this recipe, use sea salt rather than table salt. Salt is important for flavor and can help mask the bitterness of cabbage in dishes like this one.
Lemon juice is a common ingredient in recipes for both sweet and savory dishes. While it’s optional in this dish, it aids in hiding any unpleasant tastes in the cabbage and brightening it up. If you give it a go, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

What you need to make Loaded Cabbage Steaks

Cabbage Steak Ingredients:

1 large head green cabbage, cut into 6 evenly thick slices
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 t. garlic powder
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
3 T. fresh parsley, chopped

Blue Cheese Dressing Ingredients:

½ c. full fat sour cream
2 T. sugar-free mayonnaise
1½ t. Worcestershire sauce
½ small shallot, very finely minced
2 oz. blue cheese crumbles
2 T. heavy cream
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

How to make the recipe

Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Set aside.

Cut the stem off the cabbage head to create a flat surface on the bottom. Carefully slice the cabbage, top to bottom, into ½-inch sections.

Transfer the sliced cabbage to the prepared baking sheet without overcrowding. Lightly brush the cabbage with the olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.

Place the baking sheet in the pre-heated oven and roast for 40-45 minutes, rotating the sheet once halfway through, or until the cabbage is nicely browned and crispy on the edges.

Tip: Actual cook time will vary depending on how thick and evenly the cabbage is sliced and the amount of moisture in the cabbage slices. For best results, check after 30 minutes and adjust final cook time accordingly.

Once the cabbage is in the oven, prepare the dressing by combining the sour cream, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, shallot, blue cheese, and heavy cream in a medium bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and cool for several minutes. Drizzle each cabbage steak with some of the blue cheese dressing and top with the crumbled bacon and blue cheese. Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve immediately.

What to Eat with Cabbage Steaks

The cabbage steaks are delicious with Crockpot Pork Chops, simply grilled sausages, and Crockpot Ribs. Simple chicken dishes with herbs are also a great pairing to make it into a main meal.

Add Extra Veggies. Serve these steaks as a hearty side for a vegetable main course, such as Mushroom Burgers . They’re big enough to be meatless entrees on their own; try adding more nuts to make them even heartier.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

To Make Ahead: To make ahead, cut your cabbage into wedges and whisk together the olive oil mixture. Both may be kept in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to two days.

To Store: Leftover cabbage steaks should be placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Reheat: Place the steaks on a piece of aluminum foil that’s lightly coated with nonstick spray and reheat in an oven at 350 degrees F for about 4 minutes.

Freeze for Longer Than a Month. Cabbage steaks can be frozen for up to three months in an airtight freezer-safe container. The cabbage’s texture might alter somewhat, but it will still be delicious!

Recipe Options

Cabbage steaks with cheese is a delicious and easy supper. For a nutty, salty taste, I sprinkled Parmesan on top of these baked cabbage steaks, which were delicious with the lemon. I think some nice sharp cheddar or Gruyere would be good as well.

Red Cabbage Steaks. Replace the green cabbage with red cabbage for this recipe. Green and red cabbages require the same roasting times.

Cabbage Steaks with Balsamic Tarragon. Try it with red cabbage! Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to the mix along with the olive oil. The lemon should be omitted.

Yield: 6 portions