Grilled Cabbage Salad

An exceptional use for this late summer vegetable, this grilled cabbage salad creates a rich and smoky dish. Charred cabbage partners with a honey, Dijon, and lemon dressing for this simple dish. Grated Parmesan finishes it all off, merging flavors to form an exceptional side for any cookout.

Why I Love This Grilled Cabbage Salad Recipe

During the summer months, we love all kinds of grilled meals. And while there’s plenty of chicken, burgers, and steak, vegetables aren’t quite the first thing that most people think about when it comes to the grill. Odds are that even fewer people think about grilling cabbage! But let me tell you something: your life will be changed once you’ve made and enjoyed this easy grilled cabbage salad recipe.

The concept is actually incredibly simple: slice cabbage into wedges, drizzle them with oil and seasonings and throw them on the grill to add some char. Once tossed with a Parmesan-forward dressing and additional grated Parmesan cheese on top, it’s pretty much the salad of the summer.

I developed this recipe out of necessity, with too many heads of cabbage from the garden on hand. While my sister and her family were visiting, I decided to forgo the traditional coleslaw we have as a side and grill a head of cabbage instead. Now, I haven’t been making it less than once a week as the summer wanes. It’s everything you could want in one super easy recipe!

Grilled Cabbage Salad Ingredients

The ingredients for this cabbage salad are simple. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Cabbage is the perfect vessel to grill because of its firm texture that holds up well to the high heat of the grill while still becoming tender. With its neutral palette, it’s a great base for so many strong flavors. Plus, it’s super easy to slice into wedges that will stay as one unit while on the grill.
• Olive oil is the base for the dressing that’s poured over the top of the chopped cabbage. For the most flavor, use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Garlic has a strong flavor that adds depth to the dressing.
• Shallot has a milder quality than traditional onion, which, when chopped, makes it a more pleasant addition to the dressing.
• Lemon zest and lemon juice add bright citrus notes to the dressing.
• Honey is added to the dressing for a bit of sweetness. Since most of the other flavors in the dressing are savory, the honey balances everything out.
• Dijon mustard helps to emulsify the dressing, cutting through some of the richness of the olive oil while adding some tanginess and creaminess.
• White wine vinegar has a bright, slightly sweet quality that also keeps the color of the dressing a beautiful yellow color.
• Parmesan cheese, which has a strong salty quality, is one of the main flavors in this cabbage salad. It’s used in both the dressing and added as a final garnish, adding richness.
• Kosher salt is necessary in pretty much any recipe to bring out the flavor.
• Black pepper adds just a pop of spice.

How to Make Grilled Cabbage Salad

There are four easy steps when it comes to preparing this recipe:

1. Prepare the cabbage
2. Grill the cabbage
3. Create the dressing
4. Assemble the salad

Step 1: Prepare the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into wedges. Place on a pan and douse with olive oil on both sides. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. 

Step 2: Grill the cabbage. Place the cabbage on a preheated grill. Sear and char for 4 to 6 minutes on each side until pieces become blackened.

Step 3: Create the dressing. Mince the garlic and shallot. Add to a small bowl. Grate in lemon zest and squeeze in the lemon. Add in the white wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper. Grate in the Parmesan cheese and add in the olive oil. Whisk together until smooth. 

Step 4: Assemble the salad. Chop the cabbage wedge into bite-sized pieces. Place the shredded cabbage into a large bowl. Pour the dressing overtop, reserving a small amount. Toss the cabbage. Grate in additional parmesan cheese and add additional dressing, if desired. 

Pro Tips for Success

• Keep the core of the cabbage when slicing it. It will hold the wedge together so it doesn’t completely fall apart. Small pieces will fall off regardless while grilling, but that’s okay.
• If garlic flavor is too strong, let it sit in the lemon juice for a few minutes. It will reduce the strength of the garlic.
• Freshly grate the Parmesan cheese. It provides better flavor and texture than the pre-grated cheese from containers.

Optional Toppings And Variations

Since the base recipe of this easy cabbage salad is so simple, there are so many ways to tailor it to your taste. Here are just a few suggestions I think would work well:

• Toss on whole or sliced almonds for a bit of additional crunch.
• Chop green onions and throw them on as a final garnish.
• Shred carrots or chop up bell peppers and add them alongside the cabbage for a bit of bright color.
• Chop up a bunch of fresh herbs and toss them with the cabbage.
• If you like some heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes into the dressing for a hint of spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Favorite Side Dishes

• Panzanella
• Watermelon salad
• Spring salad
• Caprese pasta salad
• Curtido relish
• Simply dressed tomatoes
• Ramen chicken salad

Watch How to Make This Recipe