Cabbage and Ground Beef

Cabbage Ground Beef is a hearty one-pan dinner made with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and simple pantry seasonings. It is warm, filling, budget-friendly, and easy enough for busy weeknights. Cabbage Ground Beef also works well for meal prep because the flavors deepen as the dish rests, making leftovers especially satisfying.

This recipe gives you plenty of vegetables and protein in one skillet without requiring complicated ingredients or a long cooking time.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the Skillet

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small green cabbage, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 15 ounces
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cabbage Ground Beef is simple, comforting, and made with ingredients that are easy to find. The beef brings rich savory flavor while cabbage becomes tender and slightly sweet as it cooks.

Another reason to love Cabbage Ground Beef is that everything cooks in one large skillet. That means less cleanup and an easier dinner routine.

It is also flexible. You can add carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, rice, beans, or extra tomatoes depending on what you have available.

How to Make Cabbage Ground Beef

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage.

Cut the cabbage into quarters, remove the tough core, and chop the leaves into bite-size pieces.

Dice the onion and mince the garlic.

Preparing everything before you start cooking keeps the recipe moving quickly once the skillet is hot.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Place a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and no pink remains.

If there is a large amount of excess grease, carefully drain most of it while leaving a small amount in the pan for flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Onion

Add the diced onion to the browned beef.

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent.

If your beef is very lean and the skillet looks dry, add a tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 4: Add the Garlic and Seasonings

Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Cook for about 30 seconds.

This brief cooking step wakes up the spices and gives Cabbage Ground Beef a deeper savory aroma.

Step 5: Add the Tomatoes

Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices.

Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, if using.

Stir well until the tomato paste is evenly distributed through the beef mixture.

Cook for 2 minutes so the tomato flavor becomes richer.

Step 6: Add the Cabbage

Add the chopped cabbage in batches.

The skillet may look very full at first, but the cabbage will shrink significantly as it cooks.

Gently stir after each addition so the cabbage mixes with the beef and tomato mixture.

Step 7: Add the Broth

Pour in the beef broth.

Stir everything together, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Cook for 10 minutes.

The steam helps soften the cabbage while keeping Cabbage Ground Beef juicy and flavorful.

Step 8: Finish Uncovered

Remove the lid and stir.

Continue cooking uncovered for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your preferred tenderness.

If there is too much liquid in the skillet, increase the heat slightly and let it simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes.

Step 9: Taste and Adjust

Taste the mixture.

Add more salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, or red pepper flakes if needed.

For a brighter finish, you can stir in a small splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Remove the skillet from the heat.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Serve Cabbage Ground Beef hot while the cabbage is tender and the beef is coated in the tomato-rich sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Cabbage Ground Beef can be served on its own as a complete low-fuss meal.

For a heartier dinner, spoon Cabbage Ground Beef over mashed potatoes, steamed rice, brown rice, quinoa, or buttered egg noodles.

Crusty bread or garlic bread is another good option because it can soak up the savory juices from the skillet.

For another hearty Mediterranean-inspired meal, try our Mediterranean Mushroom Stir Fry with Lentils packed with earthy mushrooms, tender lentils, vegetables, herbs, and lemon.

Recipe Tips

Use a large skillet or Dutch oven because the uncooked cabbage takes up plenty of space before it softens.

Cut the cabbage into similar-size pieces so it cooks evenly.

Brown the beef well before adding liquids. The caramelized bits on the bottom of the skillet add extra depth to Cabbage Ground Beef.

Do not overcook the cabbage unless you prefer a very soft texture. It should be tender but still have a little structure.

Use lean ground beef if you want less grease, or choose a slightly higher-fat beef for a richer flavor.

If the dish tastes too acidic from the tomatoes, add a small pinch of sugar.

Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes before serving so the flavors settle.

Easy Variations

Cabbage Ground Beef is easy to change depending on your preferences.

For a more filling meal, add 2 cups of diced cooked potatoes or cooked rice near the end.

Add sliced bell peppers, carrots, celery, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra vegetables.

For a Tex-Mex variation, replace the Italian seasoning with cumin and chili powder, then top with shredded cheddar cheese.

You can also make a cheesy Cabbage Ground Beef by sprinkling mozzarella or cheddar over the top and covering the skillet for a few minutes until melted.

Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef if desired.

For extra heat, add diced jalapeño, cayenne pepper, or additional red pepper flakes.

You may also enjoy our Pear, Brie & Cranberry Crostini with Thyme Honey for an elegant sweet-and-savory appetizer with creamy Brie, fresh pear, cranberries, walnuts, and honey.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Cabbage Ground Beef is a practical make-ahead recipe because it reheats well.

You can chop the cabbage and onion up to one day ahead and keep them refrigerated in separate airtight containers.

The entire dish can also be cooked in advance, cooled, and refrigerated.

When you are ready to serve, reheat it gently on the stovetop with a small splash of broth or water.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover Cabbage Ground Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat until thoroughly hot.

Add a tablespoon or two of broth if the mixture looks dry.

Individual servings can also be reheated in the microwave in short intervals, stirring halfway through.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving:

Calories: 310
Protein: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fat: 17 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Fiber: 6 g
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 610 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the ground beef, broth, tomatoes, and exact serving size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use red cabbage instead of green cabbage?

Yes. Red cabbage will work, but it has a slightly stronger flavor and may change the color of the finished dish.

Can I make this with ground turkey?

Yes. Ground turkey works well. You may want to add a little extra olive oil because turkey is usually leaner than beef.

Can I add rice directly to the skillet?

Yes, but you will need additional broth and a longer cooking time. Using already cooked rice is the easiest option.

Why is my cabbage watery?

Cabbage naturally releases moisture as it cooks. Continue simmering uncovered until the excess liquid reduces.

Can I make this low carb?

Yes. The basic recipe is already relatively low in carbohydrates. Serve it on its own or with cauliflower rice.

Can I use fresh tomatoes?

Yes. Replace canned tomatoes with about 2 cups of chopped ripe tomatoes.

Final Thoughts

Cabbage Ground Beef is a straightforward skillet dinner that turns basic ingredients into a warm, comforting family meal.

Because Cabbage Ground Beef is inexpensive, flexible, and easy to prepare, it is a useful recipe for weeknight cooking and meal prep.

Keep this Cabbage Ground Beef recipe handy whenever you need a filling dinner that combines vegetables and protein without a lot of cleanup.

With tender cabbage, browned beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and savory seasonings, Cabbage Ground Beef delivers classic comfort-food flavor in one simple skillet.