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This ground beef and cabbage recipe is a simple yet flavorful meal that’s perfect for weeknights. Hearty, comforting, and packed with delicious flavors, it’s a dish that always hits the spot.
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Growing up, cabbage was a staple in our house. Whether it was in soups (like this cabbage soup), sautéed into hearty dishes, or transformed into homemade sauerkraut, it was regularly on our table. This recipe, with its tender cabbage, savory beef, and rich tomato sauce, brings me right back to those comforting childhood meals.
If you ever find yourself staring into the fridge, wondering what to make that’s both healthy and budget-friendly, this recipe is the perfect solution. Made with simple pantry staples and affordable ingredients, it’s one of those meals you can count on when you need something easy yet satisfying.
The dish is packed full of color from both cabbage and carrots, all simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce. I sometimes serve it as-is for a cozy one-pot meal or other times, I spoon it over rice to make it even more filling. No matter how you enjoy it, this is one of those comforting meals that brings warmth to the table – just like the ones I grew up with.
For other hearty easy dinners, try my Beef Fried Rice recipe and Chicken Stroganoff recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Hands-off cooking: This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort—simply let it simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Budget-friendly: You need only a handful of simple everyday ingredients, and you probably already have them in your pantry.
- Flavorful & nutritious – Packed with savory flavors and wholesome ingredients, this dish is both satisfying and nourishing. My kids always ask for seconds.
Ingredients and Substitions
For a full ingredients list with measurements, check the recipe card below.
- Ground beef: Opt for lean ground beef if possible as you’ll have less fat to drain.
- Cabbage: You can either purchase cabbage and slice it yourself or if you are in a pinch you can grab a bag of coleslaw mix.
- Vegetables: You’ll want to add in some carrots, garlic, and onion to maximize flavor and nutrients.
- Tomato sauce: Any can of tomato sauce you have in the cupboard will work.
- Vegetable or beef stock: Homemade stock works great here as does store-bought. Make sure that if you need the recipe to be gluten-free, you check your stock.
- Coconut oil: Used to brown the beef. Measure the amount solid so that you have enough. Avocado oil or olive oil would work here as well.
- Seasonings: From your spice cupboard you’ll need ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, coriander, and salt and pepper.
How To Prep The Cabbage
1. Cut cabbage into bigger chunks. I prefer to chop the cabbage in bigger chunks because as it cooks, it will soften and shrink. I think this gives the dish a better texture and more flavor in each bite.
Prep 2. Massage the cabbage with salt. I learned this trick from my late grandmother who taught me to season the cabbage with salt and massage it (kneading it like a dough). This softens the cabbage and the salt helps enhance the cabbage’s natural flavor.
How To Make Ground Beef and Cabbage
Step 1. Brown the beef. Heat the oil in a skillet and brown the beef. As you do, add half the spices while mixing. Drain the excess fat and set aside.
Step 2. Prepare the vegetables. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and carrot until soft before stirring in the garlic.
Step 3. Make the sauce. Add the tomato sauce and beef stock to the carrot mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Step 4. Add the cabbage. Add the cabbage and remaining spices to the skillet. Mix well before covering it with a lid and simmering for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer until the cabbage softens and caramelizes a little bit.
Step 5. Add ground beef. Add the ground beef back into the skillet and mix it all up.
Step 6. Serve. Garnishing the dish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Tips from the Test Kitchen
- Use a large skillet. Make sure you use a large skillet for this recipe because the cabbage is bulky and will take up a lot of space before it cooks down and softens. I use an 11 inch braiser because it’s the largest dish I have.
- Chop cabbage coarsely. I prefer to chop the cabbage into bigger chunks for better texture & flavor (check the prep instructions with pictures above).
- Cook low and slow. I prefer and recommend cooking the cabbage low and slow for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. But if you are in a hurry, you can cook it over medium to medium-high heat. Make sure you stir it more often so the vegetables don’t burn.
- Using different colored cabbages is a fun way to get more nutrients into the dish and pops of color.
- If you’re slicing your own cabbage, make sure to remove any damaged leaves.
Serving Ideas
I like to serve it as-is, or sometimes I pair it with a side to make it an even more satisfying meal. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:
- with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- with rice – I sometimes serve it with white rice or brown rice for a fuller meal. You can even serve it with cauliflower rice.
- with a side salad like this refreshing Cucumber Salad, and a crusty sourdough bread
Meal Prep Hack
If you’re making this Beef and Cabbage Skillet for meal prep, you can easily switch things up so it doesn’t feel like you’re eating the same thing every day! Turn leftovers into cabbage beef tacos or burritos—just add avocado, lime juice, and your favorite toppings for a fresh twist. Or, for an extra protein boost, throw a fried egg on top.
Storing and Reheating
Let the ground beef and cabbage cool completely before you store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 4-5 days.
You can reheat leftovers in the microwave in intervals, making sure to stir frequently or on the stovetop by adding a splash more broth to the dish.
Freeze the beef and cabbage in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Variations
Below are a few ways you can adjust the recipe to gear it more toward your preferences that evening.
- Protein: Change the ground beef for ground turkey, venison, or chicken for a new flavor and protein source.
- Seasonings: Use more or less of the spices and taste test as you go. Adding in some ground ginger, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper can be tasty too. For an umami flavor, you can also add some gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari sauce) or coconut aminos.
- Spice: Slicing up some jalapenos or hot peppers for the dish is always tasty.
- Serving: Serve the ground beef and cabbage over top of rice or pasta to stretch it further and make it a bulkier meal.
Recipe Help and FAQs
Yes, absolutely. You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, ground sausage/pork, or ground venison. For a plant-based alternative, you can replace the meat with beans or lentils.
You can either substitute the carrots or add more vegetables to the dish to stretch it further. Some delicious swaps are sliced mushrooms, red bell peppers, or frozen peas.
More Easy & Healthy Dinner Recipes
If you like this Healthy Ground Beef and Cabbage recipe, check out my other easy and healthy ground beef dinner recipes:
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Ground Beef and Potatoes
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Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
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Egg Roll In A Bowl
Main Dishes
Korean Beef Bowls
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Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small cabbage head, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 medium carrot, coarsely grated
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅔ cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup vegetable or beef stock
Spices
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin, divided
- 1 1//2 teaspoon paprika, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon oregano, divided
- ½ teaspoon coriander, divided
- Salt and black pepper to taste, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, season with half the spices, and cook until fully browned. Drain any excess fat, then set the beef aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the onion and carrot. Cook for a couple of minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Make the Sauce: Add the tomato sauce and beef stock to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook the Cabbage: Add the cabbage to the skillet and season with the remaining spices. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and golden brown (about 40 minutes).
- Finish and Serve: Return the cooked beef to the skillet and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure you use a large skillet for this recipe. I used a 10 inch braiser because it’s the largest dish I have.
- I prefer to chop the cabbage into bigger chunks for better texture & flavor (check the prep instructions with pictures above).
- Using different colored cabbages is a fun way to get more nutrients into the dish and pops of color.
- Ground beef and cabbage stores easily making it a great meal prep recipe. Simply let it cool and portion it into lunch-size glass containers for the week.
- If you’re slicing your own cabbage, make sure to remove any damaged leaves.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.
Has anyone tried this recipe using ground turkey instead of beef? Would love to know!
Yes, Davene, you can also use ground turkey instead of beef. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This looks great!… suggestions for me to NOT use tomatoes because of allergies.??? what would I put in its place, seems like its needed for the base and liquid?? suggestions are welcomed! thanks in advance.
This was a simple and delicious meal. It was very easy to prepare, and all of my kids loved it. I didn’t add carrots and I used ground beef. I did have to add a good bit of salt and pepper, but the flavor really came together. SO GOOD!
It is on the meal plan for next week again. Such a great comfort food for winter. My three year old also thinks it is pasta, so it’s a win for us!
I have made this several times. I made it last time with ground beef. I also added some peppers, mushrooms, smoked paprika and a little stock. It was so delicious
I made this recipie based on the ingredients it had absolutely no flavor at all. I tried to doctor it up and it was a failure. Disappointed at best never again I like healthy and flavor this had none
There must have been some flavor with all these ingredients – besides the main ingredients (beef & cabbage), there are also onion, garlic, carrots, tomato, tomato paste and spices (oregano, salt & pepper). These are all very flavorful ingredients and they make the dish tasty. You might have not added enough salt which really boosts the flavor of the dish but other than that, cabbage & beef is a very delicious and comforting meal. I hope you give it a try again. 🙂