Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head green cabbage, about 2 lbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
- Optional: Your favorite burger toppings (sliced tomatoes, pickles, special sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove any tough outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into 1/2-inch thick "steaks" or rounds, keeping the core intact to hold the slices together. You should get about 8-10 slices.
- Arrange the cabbage slices on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are tender and slightly golden.
- While the cabbage bakes, prepare the burger patties. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, smoked paprika, dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions and form into patties, slightly larger than the cabbage slices as they will shrink a bit during cooking.
- Remove the cabbage from the oven. Place one beef patty on top of half of the cabbage slices (e.g., if you have 8 slices, use 4 for the bottom, 4 for the top). Place another cabbage slice on top of each patty, essentially sandwiching the burger meat between two cabbage "buns".
- Return the cabbage burgers to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the beef patties are cooked through and the cabbage is beautifully tender and caramelized. If adding cheese, sprinkle it on top of the patties during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Serve hot with your favorite burger accompaniments.
Notes
For an extra flavor boost, try brushing the cabbage with a little balsamic glaze before baking. You can also customize the beef patties with other seasonings like cumin or a pinch of cayenne for heat. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. These are fantastic served with a side of sweet potato fries or a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg