The dish that makes people stop mid-bite and say, “Wait… this is cabbage?”

This Charred Miso Butter Cabbage is deeply caramelized on the outside, tender and juicy inside, and coated in a glossy, savory miso butter that clings to every layer. Finished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, it’s bold, comforting, and completely addictive.

If your photo is the hero of this post, this recipe was made for it. Those dark, charred edges. The sheen of the sauce pooling on the plate. The contrast of golden cabbage against bright green scallions. This is cabbage at its absolute best, elevated, unfussy, and packed with umami.

It’s the kind of vegetable dish that doesn’t feel like a “side.” It feels intentional. Something you’d order at a restaurant and immediately want to recreate at home.

Why This Recipe Works So Well

High heat = deep char and caramelization
Miso butter delivers rich, savory umami
Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor
One pan, simple technique
Naturally vegetarian, easily vegan

This recipe is proof that humble ingredients, treated with care, can be show-stopping.

Ingredients:

Charred Cabbage:

1 large green cabbage
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Miso Butter Sauce:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons white miso paste
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lemon juice

Garnish:

Toasted sesame seeds
Sliced green onions
Optional: chili crisp or red pepper flakes

How to Make Charred Miso Butter Cabbage

Step 1: Prep the Cabbage

Remove any loose outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut it in half, then into thick wedges, keeping the core intact so the pieces hold together while cooking.

Pat the wedges dry with a paper towel. Dry cabbage = better char.

Step 2: Make the Miso Butter

In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, miso paste, honey, and vinegar until smooth and fully combined. Set aside.

This sauce is the backbone of the dish, salty, savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly rich.

Step 3: Sear for Char

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it get hot.

Place the cabbage wedges cut-side down in the pan. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Let the cabbage cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes until deeply golden and charred. Flip and repeat on the other cut side.

Don’t rush this step, that dark char is where the flavor lives.

Step 4: Roast & Glaze

Lower the heat to medium. Add spoonfuls of the miso butter directly onto the cabbage and into the pan.

As the butter melts, spoon it over the cabbage repeatedly, letting it seep between the layers and coat every surface.

If your pan is oven-safe, transfer it to a 425°F (220°C) oven and roast for 10–15 minutes, until the cabbage is tender but still holding its shape.

(If not oven-safe, simply cover and cook gently on the stovetop until tender.)

Step 5: Finish & Serve

Transfer the cabbage to a serving platter. Spoon any remaining miso butter and pan juices over the top.

Finish with toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and chili crisp if using.

Serve hot.

What Makes This Dish Special

Cabbage Loves High Heat

Cabbage contains natural sugars that caramelize beautifully when exposed to high heat. That’s why those outer layers become deeply golden and crisp while the inside turns silky and tender.

Miso Butter = Instant Depth

Miso adds fermented, savory complexity that makes this dish taste far more complex than it is. Combined with butter, it creates a sauce that feels indulgent and deeply satisfying.

Texture Contrast

Charred edges, tender centers, crunchy sesame seeds, and fresh green onions keep every bite interesting.

Variations & Tips

Make it vegan: Swap in plant-based butter
Extra crispy: Finish under the broiler for 2–3 minutes
Spicy: Add gochujang or chili oil to the miso butter
Different cabbage: Savoy or napa cabbage work beautifully
Citrus finish: Add a squeeze of lemon just before serving

How to Serve Charred Miso Butter Cabbage

This dish is incredibly versatile and works in so many ways:

As a side to roasted chicken, salmon, or tofu
Over steamed rice or noodles
In a grain bowl with a soft-boiled egg
Alongside other roasted vegetables
Eaten straight from the platter (no judgment)

It’s rich enough to stand on its own, but pairs effortlessly with almost anything.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Reheat: Best reheated in a skillet to restore some char
Freezer: Not recommended, texture won’t hold

Final Thoughts

This Charred Miso Butter Cabbage is a reminder that vegetables don’t need much to be exciting, just heat, good fat, and bold flavor. It’s simple, dramatic, and deeply comforting, with just enough edge to keep it interesting.

If you’re looking for a new way to love cabbage or a dish that makes people rethink vegetables entirely, this is it.

Looking for more Vegetarian Recipes? Try my popular recipes below:

Charred Miso Butter Cabbage with Sesame & Green Onions