Description
These Oven-Baked Cabbage Burgers are a guilt-free alternative to traditional burgers, combining lean ground meat with nutrient-rich cabbage slices for a wholesome meal. Baked to perfection and optionally topped with melted cheese, they offer a flavorful and healthy burger fix that’s easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Binding
- 1 pound Ground Beef or Turkey (Use turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 large Egg (Optional, helps bind the mixture)
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 1 medium Onion (Chopped, or substitute with shallots)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced, preferably fresh)
- 1 head Cabbage (Green cabbage preferred, sliced into ½ inch rounds)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Salt (To season)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for enhanced flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (Substitute with regular paprika if unavailable)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (Can substitute with soy sauce for gluten-free)
Other
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For brushing cabbage slices)
- 1 cup Cheese (Use of choice, like cheddar or mozzarella, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Prepare the cabbage: Slice the cabbage into ½ inch thick rounds, ensuring they are sturdy enough to hold the meat patties. Brush both sides of each cabbage round with olive oil to promote browning and prevent drying during baking.
- Make the meat mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and the egg if using. Mix thoroughly to ensure the seasonings and binder are evenly distributed.
- Form the patties: Shape the meat mixture into patties sized to fit the cabbage rounds. This helps in cooking the burgers evenly on top of the cabbage slices.
- Assemble the burgers: Place each meat patty directly on top of a cabbage slice laid out on a baking sheet. Arrange the assembled cabbage burgers evenly to allow for proper heat circulation.
- Bake the burgers: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the burgers for about 25 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the cabbage edges start to crisp.
- Add cheese and broil: If using cheese, sprinkle about a tablespoon of your chosen cheese on top of each burger. Switch your oven to broil and cook the burgers for an additional 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the burgers rest briefly. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by your choice of dipping sauce for a delicious and healthy meal.
Notes
- For a lower-fat option, use ground turkey instead of beef.
- The egg is optional but helps keep the patties intact while baking.
- You can substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
- Choose any cheese you prefer or omit it for a dairy-free option.
- These burgers pair well with a side salad or roasted vegetables.
