Huli Huli Cabbage

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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.

a recipe photo of the Sweet & Savory Huli Huli Cabbage
Photo:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4
the ingredients to make the Sweet & Savory Huli Huli Cabbage

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons no-salt-added ketchup

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

  • 1 small head green cabbage

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallion for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Whisk pineapple juice, tamari (or soy sauce), brown sugar, ketchup, garlic and ginger together in a small saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced slightly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; reserve 1 tablespoon for serving.

  2. Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F). Trim stem end of cabbage; cut the head lengthwise into 4 (1-inch-thick) slices. Thread a skewer through the middle of each slice, removing any loose outer leaves. Brush both sides of the slices evenly with 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with pepper.

    a photo of the cabbage sliced up with skewers in them

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  3. Oil the grill grates with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil (see Tip). Place the cabbage cut-side down on the oiled grates. Brush the tops evenly with some of the sauce (about 1 tablespoon each). Grill, covered, until tender, about 8 minutes per side, brushing the flip side with the remaining sauce.

    a photo of the cabbage getting sauce brushed on it while on the grill

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  4. Transfer the cabbage to a platter. Carefully remove the skewers. Spoon the reserved sauce evenly over each steak (about 1 teaspoon each). Sprinkle with scallion (if using) and serve hot.

Tip

Reduce sticking by oiling your hot grill rack with an oil-soaked paper towel: hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 cabbage steak

Calories 177, Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrates 26g, Total Sugars 18g, Added Sugars 7g, Protein 5g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 488mg, Potassium 531mg

EatingWell.com, February 2024

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