Chilli Garlic Butter Roasted Cabbage Wedges

Chilli garlic butter roasted cabbage wedges is an impressive and easy to execute, sumptuous side dish. An adorable sweetheart cabbage is quartered and brushed with a generously buttery, chilli crisp and gentle garlic glaze, then roasted to melting tenderness before being topped with the golden crunch of Panko crumb. 

If you favour the red cabbage variety, here’s my festively aromatic braised red cabbage recipe for you. It’s laced with botanicals: allspice, juniper and bay.

I am seriously considering replacing the traditional Brussels sprouts dish with this flavoursome hispi cabbage recipe this Christmas. Let me tell you why:

1. A cabbage is less fiddle and faff than trimming and peeling a pile of sprouts.
2. A crispy, buttery cabbage is met with less resistance than infamous Brussels sprouts (despite belonging to the same leafy cabbage family). 
3. Sweetheart cabbage is cheaper per kilo, so if diners turn their noses up (which they won’t), it doesn’t sting!
4. And even if they do, leftover garlicky and chilli-spiked cabbage can be easily integrated into many other recipes (see storage and leftovers section below).
5. Finally, and most importantly, this sweetheart cabbage recipe is a very, very easy one.

That’s it. I’ve convinced myself. How about you?

Roasted cabbage wedges

Why is it called a ‘sweetheart’ cabbage anyway? Well, it could be one of two things, or even both! You’ll notice that its pointed shape could resemble a heart- a green, tightly-leaved heart! And its sweet flavour. It’s by far the sweetest-tasting and most delicate-leafed of the cabbage varieties out there.

Thanks to the loose and tender leaves, sweetheart, or pointed cabbage makes for a quick cook. Whether shredded into soup, stir fry or stew, or cut into wedges like the classic hispi cabbage recipes, they don’t take long to submit and become soft.

What’s more, the quartered cabbage is four individual servings, which equals an easy and economical side dish for a small dinner party.

Although sweetheart cabbage is delicious just buttered, I can’t resist adding a little extra pep. In this roasted cabbage recipe, I’ve mixed onion and garlic powder, and my faithful fridge staple; chilli crisp into melted butter and brushed the wedges liberally all over before roasting. 

The crowning glory is a This is an affiliate link.Panko breadcrumb topping: butter-fried crumbs with a little more garlic powder, chopped parsley and hazelnuts. Sprinkle this on in a heavy drift once the wedges are cooked to add an elevating crunch in contrast the butter-soft cabbage leaves. 

Serving suggestions

Cabbage wedges is one of my favourite vegetables to serve because they’re so versatile and make it easy to impress. Whether miso roasted or with smoky gochujang, they never fail to surprise and delight diners.

Roasted cabbage wedges are an incredibly versatile side dish. That said, with grilled meats they are a match made in gastronomic heaven. The butter-heavy glaze makes the cabbage leaves tender and unctuous which is a delicious contrast to a charred teriyaki pork chop, a melt-in-the-mouth slow cooked lamb leg or crispy-skinned roast turkey for example.

However, the completely vegetarian recipe means it’s suitable for non-meat eaters too. Serve this chilli and garlic version with aubergine and lentil moussaka for oomph and uplift, or with your favourite meat-free pasta dish. I’d choose a creamy butternut squash gnocchi.

Storage and leftovers

Buttery, roasted cabbage is at its melting best served from the oven. However, leftovers can be kept in an This is an affiliate link.airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

I recommend shredding the leftover spicy cabbage wedges and adding to a soup for an extra kick of heat, or curry for bonus plant points. 

More cabbage recipes

• Cabbage Rolls Golubtsi
• Braised Red Cabbage
• Braised Cabbage and Beets with Bacon
• Braised Savoy Cabbage with Bacon and Mushrooms