Roasted Cabbage with Bacon, Raisins, and Garlic

Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves | Last Updated: November 3, 2025

A roasted cabbage wedge with raisin caper and bacon sauce.

Roasted Cabbage with Bacon, Raisins, and Garlic is a simple yet irresistible side dish that pairs beautifully with any main course. Quartered cabbage wedges are brushed with olive oil, seasoned with sea salt and freshly ground pepper, then roasted until caramelized and tender. They’re served with a luscious sweet-savory sauce of garlic, raisins, capers, Greek gruyere, and crunchy hazelnuts. This roasted cabbage is the perfect companion to a roast, grilled steak, or a hearty vegetarian entrée. Enjoy every golden, flavorful bite!

If you love this Roasted Cabbage, you will also love these Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, Tomato Confit or Arakas – Greek Sweet Peas With Dill!

Two roasted cabbage wedges with raisin caper and bacon sauce.

Overview

Why you will love roasted cabbage

Caramelized flavor – Roasting in a hot oven brings out the cabbage’s natural sweetness and nutty flavor.
Perfect texture – Crispy edges with a tender, buttery center, the best of both worlds.
Simple, bold sauce – A tangy-sweet mix of garlic, raisins, and capers that adds incredible depth.
Greek flair – Grated Graviera (Greek Gruyère) melts beautifully over the warm cabbage, adding a savory finish.
Versatile pairing – Pairs perfectly with roast meats, steak, or hearty vegetarian dishes.

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Here is what you need

A cabbage, a bowl with sea salt and pepper and a can of olive oil on a cutting board

A head cabbage. Cut into 6 to 8 wedges.
Extra-virgin olive oil.
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Ingredients for making a bacon, raisin, garlic sauce for roasted cabbage.

For the sauce

Thick-cut bacon or pancetta.
Garlic.
Raisins.
Capers.
Sugar.
White wine vinegar.
Butter.

For serving

Graviera cheese. This cheese is the Greek Gruyère. A few Greek regions have a variety of graviera. Cretan graviera is my favorite, with its sweet and mild flavor.
Hazelnuts. They can be toasted.
Fresh thyme leaves.

Step by step

Cabbage wedges with seasoning on a baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 260°C / 500°F.
Cut the cabbage into 6–8 wedges, keeping the core intact so the wedges hold together while roasting.
Arrange the cabbage wedges on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Brush each wedge with about a teaspoon of olive oil on both sides, then season generously with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
Roast for 10–15 minutes, until lightly golden. Flip the wedges and continue roasting for another 10 minutes, or until tender and beautifully caramelized.
While the cabbage roasts, prepare the sauce.

Capers, bacon and raisins cooking in a pan.

While the cabbage roasts, prepare the sauce.
Place a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until it begins to brown and caramelize.
Add the raisins and capers, stir, and cook for another couple of minutes.

Capers, bacon and raisins half covered with sugar in a pan.

Sprinkle in the sugar and stir to combine.
Add the white wine vinegar and stir for a few seconds to deglaze the pan.

Capers, bacon and raisins and butter in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Add the butter, and stir.

Capers, bacon and raisins caramelising in a pan.

Let the sauce caramelize for about a minute.

Pro Tips

Keep the wedges intact: Leave a bit of the core on each wedge so they stay together while roasting.
Use high heat: A very hot oven helps the cabbage caramelize beautifully without drying out.
Choose a good cheese: Graviera adds that nutty, slightly sweet Greek flavor, but Gruyère or Asiago make great substitutes.
Make it ahead: Roast the cabbage and prepare the sauce up to a day in advance. Reheat gently in the oven and drizzle the sauce just before serving.
Add brightness: A final squeeze of lemon before serving enhances all the savory-sweet flavors.

What to Serve With This Roasted Cabbage

Serve it alongside Classic Greek Lemon Chicken, where the citrus pairs perfectly with the caramelized sauce.
It’s wonderful with juicy pork steaks or a slow-cooked pork roast, where the tangy-sweet sauce cuts through the richness of the meat.
During the holiday season, this dish shines next to a festive roast turkey or Greek-style Christmas pork roast, adding Mediterranean flavor to your table. Add crispy roasted potatoes, a fresh maroulosalata (Greek green salad) for a beautiful, balanced meal.