16 Vegetable Steak Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

By

Published on April 2, 2024

cauliflower piccata on platter — Photo:
Ali Redmond

Did you know you can make vegetable steaks that taste more delicious than the real thing? We’ve made it happen time and time again with these dishes made from cabbage, cauliflower and mushroom. With four- and five-star reviews from EatingWell readers, you’ll want to keep these recipes bookmarked. Our Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Almond Pesto & Butter Beans make a flavorful dinner. Or, enjoy side dishes like our smoky Huli Huli Cabbage with your favorite protein for a complete meal.

01 of 16

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Almond Pesto & Butter Beans

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Almond Pesto & Butter Beans

Need some new meatless dinner ideas? This vegan recipe for grilled cauliflower steaks with buttery (but butter-free!) butter beans and almond pesto comes together in just 25 minutes but is impressive enough to serve to guests. We're sorry to ask you to buy 2 heads of cauliflower to make this recipe when you only cut a couple of "steaks" from each, but it guarantees the best results. Just think of it this way: having leftovers gives you an excuse to try one of our many other healthy cauliflower recipes!

02 of 16

Cabbage Steaks with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Four cabbage steaks topped with sun-dried tomato cream sauce, placed on a light green plate — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss

Thick slices of cabbage are tender and smothered in a flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce in this easy vegetarian cabbage steak recipe. You'll inevitably have large and smaller "steaks" cut from the head. Place the large cabbage steaks on the outside edges of the baking sheet, with the smaller ones toward the center. The edges of the baking sheet are the hottest, so larger steaks will benefit from the extra heat. Roast any extra cabbage separately or store and save for another use.

03 of 16

Cauliflower Steaks Piccata

cauliflower piccata on platter — Ali Redmond

This cauliflower steak piccata recipe swaps out chicken for thick, center-cut slices of cauliflower while staying true to the flavors of the rich, lemony sauce. To serve this recipe as a side dish, cut the braised cauliflower into large wedges or florets and serve in a bowl topped with the sauce and parsley.

04 of 16

Crispy Portobello Cutlets with Caramelized Onions & Blue Cheese

Crispy Portobello Cutlets with Caramelized Onions & Blue Cheese

Portobello mushroom cutlets get steak-house treatment--caramelized onions and blue cheese--in this healthy vegetarian dinner recipe. Serve the mushroom “steaks” with a baked potato and creamed spinach.

05 of 16

Roasted Cauliflower Steak & Spanakopita Melts

Roasted Cauliflower Steak & Spanakopita Melts

In this genius carb swap recipe, we take all the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, and put it on a low-carb roasted cauliflower steak. Plus, because you don't have to deal with the fussy layers of phyllo, it's perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

06 of 16

Huli Huli Cabbage

a recipe photo of the Sweet & Savory Huli Huli Cabbage — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This recipe draws inspiration from huli huli chicken, a Hawaiian dish featuring grilled chicken that’s turned frequently while it’s cooking (“huli” is the Hawaiian word for “turn”) and basted with a sweet and savory sauce. In this vegetarian version, we replace the chicken with cabbage wedges, and while the cabbage is turned only once, the sauce remains similar to its roots.

07 of 16

Curried Cauliflower Steaks with Red Rice & Tzatziki

Curried Cauliflower Steaks with Red Rice and Tzatziki

Gone are the days when your rice choices were limited to white and brown. In this healthy vegetarian dinner recipe, the aromatic flavor of red rice or brown basmati jibes deliciously with fragrant curry powder. Because you need 2 whole heads of cauliflower to get 4 cauliflower steaks, you'll have leftover cauliflower florets to use up. Roast the florets alongside the steaks, then toss them with some chickpeas and tzatziki sauce for a healthy lunch.

08 of 16

Cabbage Parmesan

a recipe photo of the Cabbage Parmesan — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

Inspired by chicken Parmesan, this vegetarian version uses thick-cut cabbage "steaks" as a base that holds a crispy panko breadcrumb mixture, marinara and ooey-gooey melted cheese. Slices taken closest to the core will hold together better in the oven. If you have leftover cabbage from the outer edges, save it for another use, or roast it up and toss it with some extra panko breadcrumb mixture for an easy side dish.

09 of 16

Balsamic-Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks

Balsamic-Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks — Victor Protasio

These balsamic-Parmesan cauliflower steaks make the perfect vegetarian dinner. Dried oregano and fresh thyme and rosemary flavor the cauliflower. Balsamic vinegar paired with Parmesan cheese adds a nice sweet and savory balance to the dish.

10 of 16

Cabbage Steaks au Poivre

Cabbage steaks au poivre — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst

We gave steak au poivre a vegetarian spin by using tender cabbage in place of the steak. Crushed black pepper and the classic brandy-based sauce both seep into the folds of the sweet roasted cabbage, making every bite special.

11 of 16

Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri

plate of steak and vegetables with utensils

In this stunning, healthy cauliflower recipe, a head of cauliflower is cut into thick slabs then roasted until caramelized and served with chimichurri, a garlic-herb sauce. The cauliflower steaks make a fine accompaniment to actual steaks, or better still, serve them on their own as a vegetarian alternative to steak. Each head of cauliflower will provide 2 to 3 steaks from the center—the sides tend to crumble. For a truly show-stopping presentation, use the center portion of 2 heads and save the rest of the cauliflower for another recipe that calls for cauliflower florets.

12 of 16

Cabbage Steaks

a recipe photo of the Charred Cabbage Steaks with Pesto & Burrata — PHOTOGRAPHER: RACHEL MAREK, FOOD STYLIST: HOLLY DREESMAN

These cabbage steaks are super tender and slightly caramelized with a crispy panko breadcrumb mixture on top. These are easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner, yet special enough for a weekend dinner party.

13 of 16

Panko-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks

a recipe photo of the Panko-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks — Greg DuPree

In this fork-tender cauliflower recipe, heads of cauliflower are cut into slabs then roasted and topped with a cheesy, crunchy panko topping. Pair cauliflower steaks with roasted or grilled meats, or serve them on their own as a vegetarian main dish. Each head of cauliflower will provide 2 to 3 steaks—the sides tend to crumble. Save leftover cauliflower for roasting another night or give it a whirl in a food processor so you have the fixings for cauliflower rice on hand.

14 of 16

Parmesan-Crusted Cabbage Steaks

a recipe photo of the Parmesan-Crusted Cabbage Steaks — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

These tender cabbage steaks are brushed with balsamic vinegar and oil on both sides to help with caramelization while also adding sweetness to every bite. If you have any leftover cabbage after cutting the steaks, chop it up and save it for a salad, or use it for roasting the following day.

15 of 16

Cauliflower Steaks with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

a recipe photo of the Cauliflower Steaks with Sun-dried Tomato Cream Sauce — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

These cauliflower steaks with sun-dried tomato cream sauce are easy to make. Each head of cauliflower yields about two steaks. You can roast any extra florets that fall off the core, or save them for another night. Serve this vegetarian dinner with a piece of crusty whole-grain bread to sop up the leftover sauce.

16 of 16

Charred Cabbage Steaks with Pesto & Burrata

a recipe photo of the Charred cabbage steaks with pesto & burrata — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman

These tender grilled cabbage steaks are topped with store-bought pesto and creamy burrata cheese. The slices closest to the center of each head hold together best with the core keeping them intact. Chop up the leftover outside edges of each head to roast alongside the cabbage steaks, or thinly slice them for a simple cabbage salad.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic and Parmesan

20 Broccoli Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

SautÃ©ed Brussels Sprouts

15 Quick & Easy Vegetable Side Dishes to Make This Winter

a recipe photo of Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts

22 Parmesan-Crusted Veggie Recipes

Creamy Corn Casserole with Lime, Chiles & Cilantro

10 Corn Casseroles You'll Want to Make Forever

a recipe photo of the Tomato Sandwich

34 Tomato Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

Spanakopita Stuffed Peppers

15 Stuffed Pepper Recipes You’ll Want to Make Forever

Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta with Chicken

14 Spinach & Artichoke Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

Classic Beef Burgers with Cauliflower Buns

18 Low-Carb Recipes for Burger Lovers

15 Garlic-Parmesan Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

Cheesy Sweet Potato & Black Bean Casserole

Our 20 Most Popular Sweet Potato Recipes of All Time

Photos of Tomato Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette

18 Tomato-Cucumber Recipes You’ll Want to Make Forever

Quinoa with Peas & Lemon

18 Side Dishes to Serve with Stuffed Peppers

oven-roasted carrots with garbanzo beans and tahini on a platter with linen and serving fork

25 Carrot Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

a recipe photo of the Baked Feta & Tomato Chickpeas

13 New Easy Veggie-Packed Recipes to Make This Month

19 Zucchini Side Dishes You’ll Want to Make Forever

Broccoli Rabe with Olives & Garlic (Broccoli di Rape Stufati)