Description
Oven-Baked Cabbage Burgers are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional burgers. These burgers use blanched cabbage leaves to wrap a flavorful ground meat mixture, then baked to perfection for a tender, juicy meal. Optional toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and condiments add freshness and tanginess, making these burgers both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Burgers:
- 1 large head of cabbage (leaves separated and blanched)
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional, cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Topping (Optional):
- Sliced tomatoes
- Lettuce leaves
- Pickles
- Mustard or mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Blanch the Cabbage Leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves carefully and blanch for 2-3 minutes until tender but still firm. Remove the leaves and immediately place them in ice water to halt the cooking. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, shredded cheese if using, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Fill the Cabbage Leaves: Take a blanched cabbage leaf and place a generous amount of meat mixture at the base. Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly to form a burger shape. Repeat this process for all cabbage leaves and filling.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the filled cabbage burgers seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
- Bake the Burgers: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked and cabbage is tender.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and allow the burgers to cool for a few minutes to firm up slightly and to avoid burning when eating.
- Top and Serve: Serve the cabbage burgers with your choice of optional toppings like sliced tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and condiments such as mustard or mayonnaise for added flavor.
Notes
- Blanching the cabbage leaves softens them and makes rolling easier without tearing.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Adding cheese is optional but adds a nice richness to the filling.
- Make sure to pat cabbage leaves dry after blanching to avoid sogginess.
- Serving with fresh toppings adds texture and flavor contrast to the baked burgers.
