Published: · Updated: by Cast Iron Keto · 5 Comments
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Get ready for our simple Charred Cabbage Salad recipe. It's packed with the smoky flavors of grilled cabbage and the tangy punch of our homemade mustard dressing. And guess what? It's a gluten-free and low-carb version of the famous Grilled Potato Salad! Let's make your keto diet interesting!
Jump to:
- Preparation and cooking overview
- Chef's note
- 🥬 Ingredients for this charred cabbage salad recipe
- Ingredient substitutions
- Additional ingredients
- Cooking tools required
- Tool substitutes list
- How to make Keto Charred Cabbage Salad: step-by-step guide
- Cooking method
- Preparation steps
- Cooking steps
- What to serve with keto charred cabbage salad?
- How to make it healthier?
- Time-saving tips
- What can I prepare ahead of time?
- Storage instructions
- Recipe wrap-up conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
- 📖 Recipe
Preparation and cooking overview
You can prepare this Keto Charred Cabbage recipe in less than 30 minutes. First, fry the bacon until crispy, and use the bacon grease to char cabbage and green onions. Next, whisk up a zingy mustard dressing and drizzle it over the hot salad before serving.
Chef's note
Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste. Use more or fewer jalapeños (or serranos), depending on your spice tolerance. If you want a meat-free salad, omit the bacon and use two tablespoons of olive oil to char the veggies. Alternatively, you can use tempeh bacon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Recipe Makes 6 Servings
For more inspiration check out our Salad recipe.
🥬 Ingredients for this charred cabbage salad recipe
To make this keto cabbage salad at home, you will need these simple ingredients:
- ½ large head of cabbage, about 1.5 pounds
- 6 slices bacon, If plant-based, omit them or use tempeh bacon
- 1 bunch of green onions
- 2 jalapeños sliced
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Ingredient substitutions
If you see anything that you would rather skip in the ingredient list, opt for these keto-friendly substitutions:
- Bacon: If you don't like regular bacon, use turkey bacon, prosciutto, or Canadian bacon. For a vegan option, use tempeh bacon.
- Green cabbage: You can swap green cabbage with red cabbage.
- Green onions: Substitute green onions with chives for a mild onion flavor.
- Whole grain mustard: If you don't have whole grain mustard, use Dijon mustard for a tangy tone.
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- Fresh lemon juice: If you don't have fresh lemons, use apple cider vinegar in the mustard dressing.
Additional ingredients
Elevate the flavor profile of this healthy side dishwith these optional additions:
- Crumbled feta cheese: Crumble and sprinkle some feta cheese before serving the salad.
- Nuts and seeds: Add a handful of toasted almonds, pecans, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds for a delightful crunch.
- Fresh herbs: Garnish the salad with freshly chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill for a fresh note.
- Pepper flakes: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes in the last minute of cooking the cabbage for a fiery kick.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halve cherry tomatoes and toss them into the salad for an extra fresh note.
- Garlic powder and onion powder: Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder when cooking the cabbage to infuse delicious flavor.
To make this Keto Charred Cabbage recipe, you will need the following kitchen tools:
- Measuring spoon
- Cast-iron skillet
- Large cast iron grill pan
- Small jar
- Knife
- Cutting board
Tool substitutes list
- Cast iron grill pan: If you don't have a cast iron grill pan, use a regular skillet or a non-stick pan.
How to make Keto Charred Cabbage Salad: step-by-step guide
Cooking method
- Frying
- Pan-grilling
Preparation steps
- Gather and measure all the ingredients.
- Wash the cabbage, green onions, and jalapeños under cold water.
- Remove the cabbage's outer leaves and cut theminto thick slices, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick, to make cabbage steaks.
- Chop the green onions and thinly slice the jalapeños.
Cooking steps
Fry bacon slices
- Heat a large cast iron skillet for a minute and lay the bacon slices in a single layer.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the slices turn deep golden-brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the bacon slices, chop them, and set aside—reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat.
Prepare the mustard dressing
- Combine whole-grain mustard, ¼ cup olive oil, and lemon juice in a small jar. Shake the jar well to create the dressing.
Grill cabbage and green onions
- Cut half the head of cabbage into 1 or 1.5 inches-thick slices to create cabbage steaks.
- Heat a large cast iron grill pan over high heat and pour in the two tablespoons of the reserved bacon grease.
- Once the bacon grease is hot, add the cabbage steaks and green onions and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until charred on both sides. Toss in the sliced jalapenos and chopped bacon at the last minute of cooking.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, and mix everything well.
- Place the salad on a serving platter and drizzle with the mustard dressing before serving!
Chef's pro tip
Ensure your grill pan is smoking hot before you add the cabbages. It will help create a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender texture inside. And remember, each cabbage steak may differ slightly in thickness, so keep a close eye and trust your instincts rather than strictly adhering to cooking time.
What to serve with keto charred cabbage salad?
Pair our amazing side dish with one of these keto recipesfor a complete meal:
- Grilled/roasted chicken: Grilled meat perfectly complements the cabbage salad and balances the meal. Try our Whole Roasted Chicken or Lemon Pepper Chicken for a healthy dish!
- Roasted Salmon: Pair our simple dish with perfectly roasted salmon for a satiating meal.
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice: Serve flavorful cauliflower rice with the salad to add volume to your meal without adding carbs.
- Steak: Serve the grilled cabbage salad with tender and juicy Keto Steak or a Tri-Tip Dish for amazing flavors.
How to make it healthier?
- Opt for low-sodium or sodium-free bacon if you are watching your sodium intake. It'll still offer the smoky flavor without the extra salt.
Time-saving tips
- Use pre-cooked bacon bits to save some cooking time.
- Buy a high-quality, keto-friendly dressing instead of making it from scratch.
What can I prepare ahead of time?
- Fried bacon: Fry the bacon slices beforehand and store them in the fridge until you make the salad.
- Mustard dressing: Prepare the mustard dressing and store it in the refrigerator in a sealed jar. Stir it before drizzling atop the salad.
Storage instructions
Store the leftover cabbage salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will remain fresh for 2-3 days. The mustard dressing can be used for 1-2 weeks.
Recipe wrap-up conclusion
This Charred Cabbage Salad makes for an excellent, flexible side dish. Imagine enjoying it as a quick dinner option or as an on-the-go power lunch. No matter how you serve it, it's great for incorporating more veggies into your low-carb diet.
Love cabbage too much? Here are some keto cabbage salad recipes for you to enjoy!
- Keto Fried Cabbage
- Red Cabbage Salad
- Thai Peanut Pasta Salad
- Sautéed Cabbage and Kale
- Keto Brussels Sprouts Salad With Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
Yes, cabbage is keto-friendly. The carb content isvery low. On average, there are only about 3 grams of net carbs in one cup of chopped raw cabbage.
All types of cabbage, including green, red, and savoy, are suitable for a keto or low-carb diet. However, the exact carb count can vary slightly among different types.
To make cabbage steaks, trim the stem but leave the inner part intact to hold the steaks together. Keep the cabbage upright on its base and slice it into ¾-inch to 1-inch thick slices. The core will help keep the steak together during cooking.
Preheat your pan to high heat to get a good char before adding the cabbage. Then, cook the cabbage without moving it around too much.
Any low-carb, high-fat dressings would work well with this salad. Remember to check the carb content and sugar if you're using store-bought sauces.
Absolutely! You can add your favorite vegetables to this keto salad. Just ensure that they align with the keto diet and have low-carb content.
Freezing the salad is not an ideal choice since it messes up the taste and texture of the cabbage when thawed. You should enjoy it fresh or straight from the fridge as a cold salad.
📖 Recipe
Charred Cabbage Salad
This Charred Cabbage Salad is packed full of fibrous cabbage, smoky bacon, grilled green onions, and spicy jalapeños, all topped off with a tangy mustard dressing.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: charred cabbage salad, easy, keto, keto cabbage salad, keto salad, low carb
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 199kcal
Ingredients
- ½ large head of cabbage about 1.5 pounds
- 6 slices bacon If plant-based, omit them or use tempeh bacon
- 1 bunch of green onions
- 2 jalapeños sliced
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
Fry bacon slices
Heat a large cast iron skillet for a minute and lay the bacon slices in a single layer.
Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the slices turn deep golden-brown and crispy.
Once cooked, remove the bacon slices, chop them, and set aside—reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat.
Prepare the mustard dressing
Combine whole-grain mustard, ¼ cup olive oil, and lemon juice in a small jar. Shake the jar well to create the dressing.
Grill cabbage and green onions
Cut half the head of cabbage into 1 or 1.5 inches-thick slices to create cabbage steaks.
Heat a large cast iron grill pan over high heat and pour in the two tablespoons of the reserved bacon grease.
Once the bacon grease is hot, add the cabbage steaks and green onions and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until charred on both sides. Toss in the sliced jalapenos and chopped bacon at the last minute of cooking.
Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, and mix everything well.
Place the salad on a serving platter and drizzle with the mustard dressing before serving!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Charred Cabbage Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 199Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 217mg9%
Potassium 284mg8%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 278IU6%
Vitamin C 50mg61%
Calcium 57mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
*
Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.
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