🥬 Oven-Baked Cabbage Burgers
📖 Description
These oven-baked cabbage burgers put a delicious spin on traditional burgers by swapping buns for thick, roasted cabbage slices. Juicy, herbed ground beef patties are stacked on tender cabbage “steaks,” topped with tangy tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese. This recipe is gluten-free, low-carb, keto-friendly, and perfect for a healthy dinner without sacrificing flavor.
🍽 Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage, cut into 1-inch thick slices (around 4–5 slices)
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (or ketchup for a sweeter flavor)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or your favorite blend), divided
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp grated garlic (or 2 cloves, minced)
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil, for brushing cabbage
👩🍳 Directions
- Prep the Oven & Cabbage:
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
- Place cabbage slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Roast Cabbage:
- Roast the cabbage in the oven for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Make the Beef Patties:
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, garlic, green onions, parsley, chili flakes, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 4–5 patties, roughly the size of your cabbage slices.
- Assemble & Bake:
- Remove cabbage from oven. Place a beef patty on each cabbage slice.
- Spoon tomato sauce over each patty, then sprinkle with half the cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until beef is fully cooked (internal temp of 160ºF / 71ºC).
- Final Melt:
- Top each burger with the remaining cheese and bake an additional 3–5 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve Hot:
- Garnish with extra parsley or green onions if desired.
🍴 Servings
- Serves 4–5
- Each person gets 1 cabbage burger (or more depending on hunger!)
📊 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Net Carbs: ~5g (ideal for keto diets)
💡 Notes & Tips
- Cabbage Thickness: Don’t cut too thin—1 inch is perfect to keep structure without burning.
- Cheese Tip: Add cheese in stages for a gooier, layered melt.
- Custom Sauce: Mix tomato sauce with a touch of mustard or sriracha for extra depth.
- Make It Vegetarian: Replace beef with seasoned lentil or mushroom patties.
- Add Crunch: Top with pickled onions or shredded lettuce before serving.
- Meal Prep: Patties and cabbage can be prepped ahead and assembled fresh.
🌿 Health Benefits
- Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: Swapping out bread buns for cabbage significantly lowers carbs.
- Rich in Fiber & Antioxidants: Cabbage supports digestion and detoxification.
- High Protein: Great for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Gluten-Free: Naturally free from gluten—great for sensitive diets.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I use red cabbage instead of green?
A: Yes, but red cabbage is firmer and may need a few more minutes of roasting.
Q: Can I freeze these burgers?
A: You can freeze the cooked patties, but it’s best to roast the cabbage fresh to avoid sogginess.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Absolutely! Use a dairy-free cheese alternative or skip the cheese altogether and focus on spiced sauce.
Q: How do I know when the beef is cooked?
A: Use a meat thermometer—160ºF (71ºC) is the safe internal temp for ground beef.
Q: What sides go well with this?
A: Try roasted sweet potatoes, a green salad, or cauliflower mash.