Grilled Cabbage with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
This Grilled Cabbage with Sweet Chili Sauce is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the natural sweetness and charred texture of Napa cabbage. Grilled to perfection, the cabbage is drizzled with a tangy and spicy sweet chili sauce, and complemented by fresh lime and cilantro for a refreshing finish. Ideal as a light side or a vegetarian main, this recipe takes just 33 minutes and serves four.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Napa cabbage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 limes
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to 400°F to ensure it’s hot and ready for grilling the cabbage, which will help develop Those lovely char marks and smoky flavor.
- Prepare the Cabbage: Wash the Napa cabbage, removing any damaged outer leaves. Rinse under cold running water in a colander and shake each wedge dry thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean towel to avoid excess moisture which can interfere with grilling.
- Cut and Season: Using a sharp knife, slice the cabbage lengthwise in half. Place each half cut side up and drizzle them evenly with olive oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt and ground black pepper for balanced seasoning.
- Grill the Cabbage: Place the cabbage halves cut side down on the grill. Grill for 8 minutes, turning each half 90 degrees partway through to create attractive crosshatch char marks and deepen the flavor.
- Cook Covered: Remove the cabbage from the grill and turn them cut side up on a baking tray. Cover with foil and return to the grill to cook gently for another 20 minutes. This step softens the cabbage while retaining moisture.
- Serve: Remove the foil and transfer the cabbage halves to a serving platter. Cut each half into two lengthwise pieces. Drizzle generously with sweet chili sauce and garnish with sliced limes and fresh cilantro leaves for a bright, spicy finish.
Notes
- The final covered cooking step allows the cabbage to steam gently on the grill, which softens it perfectly without drying out.
- Using Napa cabbage is preferred because of its tender leaves and sweet, mild flavor which pairs well with the sweet chili sauce.
- You can adjust the amount of sweet chili sauce based on your preferred level of sweetness and spice.
- For best results, use a well-oiled grill to prevent sticking and achieve even char marks.