Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad

If you’re not on the cabbage train yet, this roasted cabbage Caesar salad is guaranteed to get you on board.

Cabbage should get more love. Sadly, I think most only partake when it’s turned into coleslaw, served as sauerkraut or prepared alongside corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day. If this is the case for you, you’re missing out! From stuffed cabbage rolls to scalloped cabbage, there are so many more ways to enjoy this healthy cruciferous vegetable. This roasted cabbage Caesar salad is one of my current obsessions, and I think it could turn just about anyone into a cabbage believer.

If your struggle is not knowing how to cook cabbage, then this recipe is a great place to start. While cabbage can be enjoyed raw, stir-fried, grilled or steamed, roasting cabbage caramelizes its natural sugars, reducing its bitterness and yielding a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. When it’s topped with a zippy Caesar dressing and garnished with a generous mound of garlicky bread crumbs, it’s heaven on a plate.

Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad Ingredients

• Green cabbage: Cabbage is a nutritional powerhouse that offers ample doses of vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium and antioxidants in every serving. When purchasing cabbage for this wedge salad recipe, stick to regular green cabbage. While savory and Chinese cabbage (Napa) are delicious, they’re a bit more delicate, so their tender leaves don’t hold up as well to roasting. For a pop of color, you could choose red cabbage, but keep in mind that red cabbage may take a bit longer to roast since its leaves are denser.
• Seasoning: A blend of garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper seasons the cabbage as it roasts and lends this salad a subtle kick.
• Olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil promotes caramelization and browning in the oven.
• Panko bread crumbs: We love using panko bread crumbs for this salad because they add texture and a satisfying crunch to every bite.
• Parmesan cheese: Toasting the bread crumbs with a generous amount of finely grated Parmesan lends the crispy topping a toasted cheese flavor and aroma. Use any leftover cheese in other Parmesan cheese recipes.
• Garlic: Garlic adds a zesty bite to the bread crumbs.
• Butter: Butter is used to toast the bread crumbs. It promotes a rich, even golden color.
• Caesar dressing: While you can use your favorite brand of bottled Caesar dressing, a homemade Caesar dressing is the best way to take this cabbage salad to next-level yum.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the cabbage

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Set it aside.

Arrange the cabbage wedges on the prepared baking sheet, then drizzle them with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season them on all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

Editor’s Tip: To cut wedges from a head of cabbage, first remove the cabbage’s outer leaves. Then, cut it in half and into wedges. Leave the core; otherwise, the wedges will fall apart. Rinse the wedges under cool water and then pat dry with paper towels.

Step 2: Roast in the oven

Roast the cabbage in the oven until golden on the edges and fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Ideally, you want it to still have a bit of crunch.

Step 3: Toast the bread crumbs

Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, the butter and the garlic. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, until it’s lightly golden brown, about three to four minutes. Immediately transfer the bread crumbs to a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 4: Assemble and serve

To serve the roasted cabbage Caesar, arrange the roasted cabbage wedges on a platter and drizzle them evenly with the Caesar dressing. Sprinkle them with the toasted bread crumbs and then garnish them with additional Parmesan cheese. Serve the cabbage while it’s still warm.

Editor’s Tip: If warm cabbage isn’t your thing, this salad also tastes great at room temperature. Feel free to let the cabbage cool to room temperature before topping it with the bread crumbs and dressing.

Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad Variations

• Make grilled cabbage: If it’s grilling weather, consider cooking the cabbage wedges outside over a hot grill. Prep and season the cabbage as directed, then grill the cabbage wedges for two minutes per side over direct heat until they’re charred. Then move them over indirect heat and grill them for an additional four to six minutes until they’re fork-tender.
• Make a raw chopped cabbage Caesar: For a twist on classic coleslaw, swap the roasted cabbage wedges for shredded cabbage. Toss the shredded cabbage with Caesar dressing and then top it with the toasted bread crumbs before serving.
• Use crouton crumbs: If you don’t have panko but you do have a box of croutons, you can roughly crush them in a zip-top storage bag and sprinkle them over the salad.

How to Store Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad

If you don’t think the entire salad will get eaten in one sitting, we suggest dressing individual portions of salad with dressing and bread crumbs. If possible, store the undressed roasted cabbage wedges and bread crumbs in separate airtight food storage containers and refrigerate them.

How long does a roasted cabbage Caesar salad last?

Roasted cabbage salad (dressed or undressed) can be stored for up to four days. Leftovers may be enjoyed cold or reheated. To reheat the cabbage wedges,, gently microwave them until they’re heated through, or warm them in a 350º oven on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad Tips

What other dressings work on a roasted cabbage Caesar salad?

If you’re not a fan of Caesar dressing, you can still enjoy a tasty roasted cabbage salad with bread crumbs. Consider using creamy Parmesan peppercorn dressing, blue cheese dressing, creamy garlic dressing or balsamic dressing in its place.

What can you serve with roasted cabbage Caesar salad?

Enjoy this roasted cabbage Caesar alongside an array of tasty mains and sides. A platter of grilled lemon chicken breasts, pesto salmon or garlic butter steak bites would pair perfectly. For sides, bake homemade focaccia or a batch of homemade garlic knots.