If you think you hate cabbage, think again; this Hot Honey Charred Cabbage will definitely convert you. Cabbage gets an unfairly bad rap. It’s affordable, incredibly versatile and absolutely delicious when cooked correctly. In this recipe, the cabbage is charred, which creates the most beautiful sweet and nutty flavour. You then top it with a simple 2-ingredient hot honey and serve it over tangy whipped goat’s cheese. It truly is the most stunning, delicious veggie centrepiece – watch the recipe video to see it for yourself!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Why Cabbage Deserves More Love
- Charring: The Key to Depth of Flavour
- The Beauty of Whipped Goat’s Cheese
- Hot Honey: Sweet, Spicy, Perfect
- Draining Cabbage: A Small but Essential Step
- Bringing It All Together
- A Versatile Dish
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
Cabbage doesn’t have to be bland and boring. When cooked correctly, it’s nothing short of spectacular. Charring cabbage brings out its sweet, nutty flavour, making it a standout in any dish. In this Hot Honey Charred Cabbage recipe, the charred cabbage is elevated with a simple hot honey drizzle and whipped goat’s cheese base. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavours, and despite its simplicity, it makes for a stunning veggie centrepiece that will surprise anyone who has ever doubted the humble cabbage.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Pointed cabbage (sweetheart or hispi): Its tender leaves and mild flavour are ideal for charring. Once cooked, they turn sweet and nutty, with a fantastic smoky depth.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Enhances the natural sweetness of the cabbage and helps achieve that irresistible char.
- Soft goat’s cheese: Creamy and tangy, this goat’s cheese is the base of the whipped spread, offering a rich contrast to the cabbage.
- Greek yoghurt: Adds creaminess and lightness to the whipped goat’s cheese, balancing out the richness.
- Honey: Sweet and sticky, honey forms the base of the hot honey drizzle, bringing sweetness to counter the earthy char.
- Calabrian chillies: Spicy and smoky, they add a kick to the honey, creating a perfectly balanced heat.
- Limes (or lemons): The zest and juice bring brightness and acidity, cutting through the rich cheese and sweet honey.
- Flat-leaf parsley: Fresh and vibrant, parsley adds a pop of colour and a herbaceous finish.
Why Cabbage Deserves More Love
Cabbage has an undeserved reputation for being bland or boring, often seen as a filler vegetable in coleslaw or boiled dinners. But when treated with care, it can be a real star. Charring cabbage, in particular, transforms it from a simple veg into something with real depth. The high heat of a pan caramelises the natural sugars in the cabbage, bringing out its sweetness and giving it a wonderful smoky flavour.
When roasted, cabbage becomes tender while retaining a satisfying bite. Its mild flavour means it can handle bold accompaniments like the hot honey and tangy goat’s cheese in this dish without being overpowered. It’s also incredibly affordable, making it a great option for feeding a crowd or creating a show-stopping meal without breaking the bank.
If you’re keen to cook with cabbage more, why not try my Chilli Miso Butter Cabbage or my Gochujang Charred Cabbage, which both have raving reviews.
Charring: The Key to Depth of Flavour
The secret to this dish is the charring. By cooking the cabbage at high heat in a pan before roasting, you get that all-important caramelisation. A good char gives the cabbage a slightly smoky flavour that pairs beautifully with the creamy whipped goat’s cheese and sweet-spicy hot honey.
Charred cabbage works particularly well in this Hot Honey Charred Cabbage recipe because the edges crisp up while the centre remains tender. This contrast in textures adds complexity to every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned cabbage lover or new to it, this method will make you see the vegetable in a new light.
The Beauty of Whipped Goat’s Cheese
Whipped goat’s cheese is one of those simple touches that can transform a dish. By combining it with a little Greek yoghurt, you lighten the cheese, making it soft and spreadable. It also adds an extra layer of tang that balances the sweetness of the honey and the slight bitterness of the charred cabbage.
Spread across a large plate or platter, it forms a luxurious base for the hot honey charred cabbage. The cheese’s creaminess complements the crisp, slightly smoky leaves, while its sharpness adds depth. The result is a beautifully balanced dish that feels both indulgent and refreshing.
Hot Honey: Sweet, Spicy, Perfect
Hot honey has been growing in popularity for a reason. It takes something as familiar as honey and adds a layer of heat, transforming it into a complex condiment that pairs beautifully with both sweet and savoury dishes. In this Hot Honey Charred Cabbage recipe, the hot honey is made simply by simmering honey with Calabrian chillies. The result is a syrupy, sticky sauce with a lingering heat that perfectly complements the charred cabbage.
Drizzling the hot honey over the cabbage and whipped goat’s cheese adds an extra dimension to the dish. The heat from the chillies cuts through the richness of the cheese, while the sweetness of the honey balances the smoky charred edges of the cabbage. It’s a simple but effective way to elevate the dish.
Draining Cabbage: A Small but Essential Step
Once the cabbage has finished roasting, it’s important to let it rest for a few minutes on a wire rack. This step allows any excess moisture to drain away, preventing the dish from becoming soggy. Cabbage naturally releases water as it cooks, so skipping this step could turn the base of your dish into a watery mess.
Draining the cabbage ensures that every bite retains its crisp edges, keeping the textures of the dish distinct. It’s a small detail but one that makes a big difference in the final presentation and eating experience.
Bringing It All Together
To assemble the dish, you start by spreading the whipped goat’s cheese over a large plate or platter. The charred cabbage is then layered on top, its charred sides facing up to show off those beautiful caramelised edges. Finally, you drizzle the hot honey generously over the top, letting it pool in some places and run down the sides in others.
A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkling of zest brightens everything up, cutting through the richness and adding a zingy freshness. The parsley adds a pop of colour and a light herbal note, finishing the dish off perfectly.
This Hot Honey Charred Cabbage is not only visually stunning but also a delicious blend of flavours and textures. The creamy goat’s cheese contrasts with the smoky cabbage, while the hot honey adds just the right amount of heat and sweetness. It’s a dish that surprises and delights, and it’s sure to change the way you think about cabbage.
A Versatile Dish
While this Hot Honey Charred Cabbage works beautifully as a centrepiece, it’s also incredibly versatile. You could easily serve it as part of a larger spread, pairing it with roasted meats, grilled fish, or even as a main alongside grains like quinoa or farro. The hot honey would also pair well with roasted carrots or squash, so don’t hesitate to experiment with other vegetables.
And while goat’s cheese brings a lovely tanginess to the dish, you could swap it out for something else. Ricotta or labneh would work well if you’re not a fan of goat’s cheese. Similarly, if you prefer a milder heat, use chilli flakes instead of Calabrian chillies in the honey.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey Charred Cabbage recipe is proof that with the right technique, even the simplest ingredients can shine. By charring the cabbage and pairing it with whipped goat’s cheese and hot honey, you create a dish that’s rich in flavour and texture. It’s the perfect example of how humble vegetables can take centre stage, especially when treated with care and attention.
Give it a try next time you want to impress with a veggie dish that’s far from ordinary.
