Oven-Baked Cabbage Burgers are a genius low-carb twist that replaces traditional burger buns with thick, roasted cabbage steaks topped with seasoned beef patties, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese. The cabbage becomes tender and naturally sweet when roasted, creating the perfect base for a juicy burger while adding vegetables and cutting carbs without sacrificing satisfaction. This entire one-pan meal comes together in about 30-45 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something creative and delicious.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret is pre-roasting the cabbage for 10-15 minutes before adding the beef patties, ensuring both components finish cooking at the same time. The cabbage develops caramelized edges where it touches the pan, creating incredible depth of flavor while the center stays tender. With only 10 grams of net carbs per serving compared to 30+ grams with a traditional bun, these burgers are perfect for keto and low-carb diets while delivering 31 grams of protein.
Complete Ingredient List
For the Cabbage Steaks
- 1 large head green cabbage, cut into ½ to 1-inch thick slices
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Beef Patties
- 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 teaspoon minced onion or garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 teaspoon grated fresh garlic)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh chives or green onion, chopped
- 1 egg (optional, for binding)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (for mixing into beef)
For Assembly & Topping
- ½ cup tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
For Serving
- Additional ketchup and mustard
- Pickles, sliced
- Red onion, sliced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Sour cream (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Preheat and Prep the Cabbage
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly. Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and rinse under water. Cut off the stem end, then slice the cabbage into thick rounds about ½ to 1 inch thick. You should get 4-6 steaks depending on the size of your cabbage—don’t worry if some outer leaves fall off, just use the sturdy center slices.
Season and Pre-Roast the Cabbage
Arrange the cabbage steaks on the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil or melted butter with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush this mixture generously on both sides of each cabbage steak. Place in the preheated oven and roast for 10-15 minutes until the cabbage starts to soften and become tender. This pre-cooking step is crucial—it ensures the cabbage and beef finish cooking at the same time.
Prepare the Beef Mixture
While the cabbage roasts, combine the ground beef with minced onion, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley, chives, egg if using, half of the shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined—don’t overmix or the patties will be tough. Divide the mixture into 4-6 equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than your cabbage steaks, as they’ll shrink during cooking.
Assemble the Burgers
Remove the cabbage from the oven. Spread about 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce or ketchup on top of each cabbage steak. Place a beef patty directly on top of each sauced cabbage slice, pressing down gently to adhere.
Bake Until Cooked Through
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the beef patties are cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F). The cabbage will become tender and caramelized around the edges while the meat cooks perfectly.
Add Cheese and Finish
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese generously over each patty. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, or place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden. Watch carefully when broiling—cheese can go from perfectly melted to burnt very quickly.
Serve Hot
Transfer the cabbage burgers to serving plates using a spatula. Top with your favorite burger condiments like extra ketchup, mustard, pickles, and sliced onion. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot and the cheese is still melty.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cabbage Burgers
Choose a firm, compact head of cabbage for the best steaks that hold together during roasting. Pre-roasting the cabbage is non-negotiable—it ensures proper texture and prevents undercooked cabbage with overcooked meat. Make the patties slightly larger than the cabbage slices since meat shrinks during cooking. Use ground beef with some fat content (80/20 blend) for juicier, more flavorful patties rather than extra-lean beef. The cabbage will caramelize where it touches the pan, creating incredible sweet, savory flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Delicious Variations
Protein Swaps: Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option
Flavor Twists: Add sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese for mushroom Swiss burgers
Spicy Version: Increase red pepper flakes or use pepper jack cheese
Loaded Style: Top with crispy bacon pieces
Italian Style: Use marinara sauce instead of ketchup and add Italian seasoning
Breakfast Burgers: Top with a fried egg
Party Size: Make smaller portions for appetizer-sized bites
Different Seasonings: Try Cajun seasoning or Italian herbs on the cabbage
Nutrition Snapshot
Each serving contains approximately 306 calories with 31g protein, 12g fat, 17g total carbs, and 7g fiber—resulting in just 10g net carbs. This is a dramatic reduction compared to traditional burgers with buns that contain 30+ grams of carbs. The cabbage adds volume, nutrients including vitamins C and K, and fiber with minimal calories, making this a satisfying meal that supports weight management and low-carb lifestyles.
Perfect for Content Creation
These cabbage burgers are incredibly photogenic with golden, caramelized cabbage edges, juicy beef patties, and melted cheese creating beautiful layers of color and texture. The creative “bun-swap” concept makes for compelling Pinterest and TikTok content—viewers love innovative low-carb solutions. Focus on overhead shots showing the assembled burgers on the sheet pan, close-ups of the melted cheese cascading over the edges, or styled shots with all the burger toppings arranged around the plate. The keto-friendly angle, one-pan convenience, and “so creative” hook make this recipe highly shareable and perfect for driving engagement.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these innovative cabbage burgers with a crisp side salad, oven-baked sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. They work beautifully as a main course for dinner or even as fun appetizers when made in smaller portions. The combination of tender-sweet cabbage, savory beef, and melty cheese proves you don’t need a bun to enjoy an amazing burger experience—this creative twist delivers all the satisfaction with bonus vegetables and significantly fewer carbs.
