When was the last time you got excited about cabbage? Cabbage is an incredible vegetable to serve during the warmer months of the year. This grilled cabbage recipe is here to flip the script—with smoky flavor, charred edges, and a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth blue cheese butter that could win awards. Plus, we’re including a few more summer-inspired cabbage recipes for you to try next!

Forget Everything You Think You Know About Cabbage 🥬🔥

If you’ve only ever met cabbage in the form of coleslaw or stuffed rolls, allow us to introduce you to its more tender, sweeter cousin—Napa cabbage. Grown in the fertile valleys of California, Napa cabbage is the secret ingredient behind some of our favorite comfort food dishes and summer grilling upgrades. It’s lighter, more delicate, and incredibly versatile. And when it hits the grill? Total game-changer.

Say Hello to Napa Cabbage, California’s Coolest Summer Veg

Often tucked into stir-fries or tucked under pickled toppings, Napa cabbage isn’t just a supporting character. It’s ready for a leading role. And with California’s Mediterranean climate, this leafy crop thrives year-round, especially during the warm months when grilling season is in full swing.

What Makes California Napa Cabbage So Special?

Napa cabbage—sometimes called Chinese cabbage—is part of the Brassica family (think broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts). But it brings its own unique charm to the table:

• 🌿 Naturally sweet & tender: Unlike traditional green cabbage, Napa cabbage is soft-leaved with a subtle, sweet flavor—perfect for grilling, roasting, or serving raw in salads.
• 🌱 Locally grown: The majority of Napa cabbage in the U.S. is grown right here in California, thanks to our cool coastal zones and inland valleys.
• 💧 Hydrating & healthy: High in water content, vitamin C, and fiber, it’s a great addition to any summer meal – and your gut will thank you!

Because it’s lighter and more delicate than regular cabbage, Napa wilts beautifully on the grill while still holding structure. That’s what makes it ideal for creating warm cabbage wedges or grilled cabbage steaks with charred edges and smoky flavor.

From Field to Flame: Why It’s Worth Grilling

Let’s be honest: cabbage doesn’t usually get much grill time. But Napa cabbage changes the game. Here’s why it deserves a place right on the cooking grate:

• 🔥 It holds up to heat: Even with its tender leaves, Napa cabbage has a sturdy core that keeps it from falling apart on the grill. You can place cabbage wedges directly over the flame without fear.
• 🧈 It’s a sponge for flavor: Whether you’re brushing it with olive oil or finishing it with blue cheese butter, Napa cabbage soaks up flavor like a champ.
• 🪵 It pairs with smoky vibes: Fire up the charcoal grill or gas grill, let it develop a bit of gray ash, and you’ll be amazed how this humble veggie transforms.

Did Someone Say Blue Cheese Butter?

We’d be remiss not to mention the showstopping topping in this dish: a compound butter made with Real California blue cheese, fresh chives, and high-quality butter. Spooned over the hot-off-the-grill cabbage, it melts into every little crevice and brings out the natural sweetness of the veggie. The result? A grilled cabbage recipe that’s anything but ordinary.

But again—this isn’t about mastering every recipe step. It’s about exploring a better way to use what’s growing right here in California, and appreciating how easy it is to build go-to side dishes with fresh, local produce.

From the Ground Up: How Cabbage is Grown in California

California leads the nation in growing leafy greens, and cabbage is no exception. Most of the crop is planted and harvested by hand, often by multi-generational farm families committed to sustainability and soil health.

It grows best in cool weather. This means you’ll find peak harvests in late spring and fall. But with our state’s varied climates, California farmers can grow cabbage almost year-round.

Farms from the Salinas Valley to Imperial County produce cabbage with:

• ✅ Consistent texture and size (perfect for slicing into quarters)
• ✅ Clean, crisp leaves free of damage or decay
• ✅ Sweet, mild flavor thanks to ideal growing conditions

So when you’re shopping, keep an eye out for heads of cabbage from the Golden State. They’re often labeled by region or with a sticker that says it’s from California.

More Than a Side Dish

Let’s not forget: cabbage isn’t just tasty—it’s also good for you.

Here’s what makes it a summer staple:

• 💚 Low in calories, high in fiber
• 💧 Excellent for hydration on hot days
• 🛡️ Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
• 🥗 Plays well with others—use it raw, sautéed, grilled, or braised

Want a quick win? Throw a few grilled cabbage wedges next to your steak, spoon over some bleu cheese butter, and just like that—you’ve elevated your easy meal into something restaurant-worthy.

Cabbage is a Great Vegetable for Summer. Here’s More Ways to Devour It.

Whether it’s Napa, red, green, or savoy, cabbage is crisp, hydrating, and incredibly versatile—making it perfect for hot weather meals.  

From fresh, crunchy slaws at backyard BBQs to tender grilled wedges like the ones featured in this post or quick pickles on a picnic spread, cabbage brings cool, satisfying texture and flavor to summer dishes without weighing things down. It’s a warm-weather favorite that also happens to be one of California’s most dependable crops. 

NEED A PLAYLIST FOR YOUR NEXT GRILLING SESH? CHECK OUT THIS CA GROWN SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:

💡 Show Us Your Grilled Creations!

Tried it? Loved it? Snap a photo of your grilled cabbage, or any cabbage recipe you make this summer, and tag #CAGROWN to share it with our community! Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for even more summer grilling inspiration with CA GROWN ingredients.