These Red Cabbage Steaks are easy and incredibly flavorful! Made with only a few simple ingredients these vegan cabbage steaks are ready in just 25 minutes in the air fryer (oven instructions included).
Cabbage steaks: the solution to that random leftover cabbage in your fridge.
I think there's a big myth that the only thing to do with cabbage is slice it up and toss it with a salad or use it as a garnish in a buddha bowl.
We are myth busting today because roasted cabbage is SO good. And, i's much easier to make it through an entire head of cabbage when it's cooked.
That said, these purple cabbage steaks are WORTH going to buy a whole new cabbage for. A head of red cabbage makes 5-6 "steaks" and with a few simple herbs and spices, you've got a delicious vegetable dish.
These steaks are great to serve as a vegan main dish (peep that beautiful purple color for your Easter table). Or serve them as a side dish.
These steaks are so easy to make too. You mix up a quick marinade, slice the cabbage into steaks, brush on the marinade, then cook. You can make these vegan cabbage steaks in the oven but if you have an air fryer I highly recommend it - it makes the steaks crisp and cooks faster than the oven.
Jump to:
What is a cabbage steak?
If you've ever tried cauliflower steaks, this is a similar concept.
You slice the cabbage vertically into ½" thick slices to create several "steaks". Then you add a marinade for a delicious flavor. And bake or air fry to cook.
Why I love these Red Cabbage Steaks
- Dietary needs - these red cabbage steaks are vegan, oil-free, gluten-free and sugar free.
- Delicious main or side dish - serve these cabbage steaks as an Easter main dish or as a vegetable side
- Made in the air fryer, with an oven option - the air fryer cooks these "steaks" quickly and gets them super crisp. If you don't have an air fryer or would rather use the oven, you can make these cauliflower just as easy in your oven
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Red Cabbage: look for small heads of red cabbage so you can get a normal portion of "steak". If you can only find a large head, that's fine - your steaks will be bigger.
- Vegetable Broth: veggie broth is the base of our marinade - it gives a savory, umami flavor to the marinade
- Garlic: fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder will also work
- Tahini: the marinade has a Middle Eastern flair and tahini is part of that flavor. If you don't have tahini you could use almond butter or peanut butter instead
- Balsamic Vinegar: balsamic adds a sweetness to the marinade and some acid to give the marinade a bit of a tang. You could sub another vinegar. If you do, you might want to add a splash of maple syrup to get that sweetness
- Za'atar: Za'atar is a mix of many spices, including oregano, thyme, cumin, coriander, sesame seeds, salt, and sumac. It adds SO much flavor to this dish. If you don't have za'atar you can sub some thyme, cumin, and sumac if you have it.
- Dried Parsley
- Paprika
- Kosher Salt
How to make Red Cabbage Steaks in the Air Fryer
Step 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Step 2. Slice the cabbages into ¼" to ½" thick steaks.
Step 3. In a medium bowl, whisk the vegetable broth, garlic, tahini, balsamic vinegar, za'atar, parsley, paprika, and salt.
Step 4. Use a pastry brush to spread the dressing evenly onto each steak.
Step 5. Arrange in your air fryer. Air fry for 15 minutes, until the cabbages are tender and starting to crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in several batches. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
How to make Red Cabbage Steaks in the Oven
Follow the above directions. Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes instead of 15.
What to serve with Vegan Cabbage Steaks
- Enjoy by themselves. These cabbage steaks make a great vegetarian main dish option or hearty vegetable side.
- On top of pasta. Kind of like a deconstructed Lo Mein.
- Topped with tofu or tempeh. Already got the air fryer out? Whip up some air fried tempeh to go with.
- With other veggies. Like roasted mushrooms, roasted radishes, or rainbow chard.
- With a schmear of hummus and a side of falafel. Lean into the Middle Eastern flavors and make some homemade falafel and hummus.
FAQ & Expert Tips
When shopping, choose small cabbage heads that are fresh and crisp.
A few loose leaves on the outside is fine - you can remove those outer leaves before slicing the steaks.
Yes! You don't have to make "steaks". You can just slice up the cabbage into strips and toss with the marinade to make a cooked slaw.
Yep. Red or green cabbage will both work in this recipe.
The exact cook time for this recipe depends on the type of air fryer you own. If you are making this recipe for the first time, check the tempeh a few times throughout the cooking process to avoid burning.
In this recipe I used a NuWave Brio 14qt. air fryer - it's slightly larger than a standard air fryer and does take slightly longer to cook certain foods, but I have adjusted the recipe instructions for a standard air fryer.
Store these air fryer cabbage steaks in an air tight container in the refrigerator. They will last 7-10 days - cabbage is a hearty vegetable!
To reheat you can simply microwave. Or, to get a nice crisp on the steaks, heat in the oven or air fryer at 350 for about 5 minutes.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this healthy and colorful dish. Amen.
More red cabbage recipes
Use up that red cabbage! Try these recipes next:
Tried this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Red Cabbage Steaks (Air Fryer Option & Vegan)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Small Heads Red Cabbage or one large
- ⅔ Cup Vegetable Broth
- 8 Cloves Garlic minced
- 3 Tablespoons Tahini
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Teaspoons Za'atar Spice Blend
- 2 Teaspoons Dried Parsley
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer or oven to 400°F. If using the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the cabbages into ¼" to ½" thick steaks.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the vegetable broth, garlic, tahini, balsamic vinegar, za'atar, parsley, paprika, and salt.
- Use a pastry brush to spread the dressing evenly onto each steak.
- Arrange in your air fryer or on the baking sheet. Air fry for 15 minutes or bake 20-25 for minutes, until the cabbages are tender and starting to crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in several batches. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Anna Chamberlain
So yummy! 🙏🏼