This ground beef and cabbage skillet is hearty, budget-friendly, and packed with savory flavor. It's a simple one-pan meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.
Some of the best dinners are the simplest ones. This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet is a great example of that kind of meal.
It is made with ground beef, sliced cabbage, onion, and a few basic spices. Everything cooks together in one skillet, which keeps the preparation easy and the cleanup minimal.
The flavor is savory and comforting. As the cabbage cooks, it becomes tender and absorbs the flavor from the beef.
The onion adds sweetness, while garlic powder and pepper provide depth.
This recipe works well for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you need a quick dinner using ingredients you already have in the fridge. It is also naturally low in carbohydrates and high in protein, which makes it appealing for many different diets.
Enjoy it on it's own as a simple low carb dinner, or add some easy side dishes like Air Fryer Garlic Baby Potatoes and Microwave Green Bean Casserole.
We also love serving it up in a Microwave Baked Potato with a side salad!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet dinner is ready in about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
- The recipe uses affordable ingredients that are easy to find.
- One pan cooking means less cleanup after dinner.
- Ground beef and cabbage create a filling meal with plenty of protein and fiber.
- The recipe is naturally low carb and works well for keto-style meals.
- Cabbage stretches the beef into a larger meal that feeds several people.
- The ingredients are simple pantry staples that many home cooks already have.
- This ground beef dish works well for meal prep and reheats nicely the next day.
- The recipe can easily be adjusted with different spices or vegetables.
- It is beginner friendly and difficult to mess up.
Ingredients
You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!
- Ground beef. The main protein in the dish. Ground beef adds richness and flavor. Lean beef works well, but regular ground beef is also fine.
- Green cabbage. The cabbage becomes tender and slightly sweet when cooked. If you do not have green cabbage, pointed or savoy cabbage works as a substitute.
- Onion. Onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor as it cooks.
- Salt. Enhances the flavor of both the beef and cabbage. Adjust to taste depending on your preference.
- Black pepper. Adds mild heat and balance to the dish.
- Garlic powder. Provides garlic flavor without extra chopping. If you prefer fresh garlic, you can substitute minced cloves.
See the recipe card for quantities and method.
Cabbage
Cabbage is the star ingredient in this recipe. It is an inexpensive vegetable that stores well and cooks quickly.
When sautéed in a skillet, cabbage becomes tender and slightly sweet. It also absorbs the flavors of the ingredients around it, which makes it perfect for dishes like this. If you'd prefer it on it's own, be sure to try Buttered Cabbage.
Green cabbage is the most common type used here. It holds its texture during cooking and provides a mild flavor that pairs well with ground beef in the skillet.
How to make Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.
Slice the cabage thinly (I use a mandolin, but you can also just use a knife). Dice the onion.
Heat a large skillet over a medium heat, add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it up into crumbles, for 5 minutes.
Add the onion and cook for a further 3 minutes.
Place the cabbage into the skillet, sprinkle it with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the cabbage softens.
Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.
Serving Suggestions
- This cabbage and ground beef skillet can be served in many different ways.
- Serve it as a standalone low carb dinner.
- Pair it with steamed rice or try Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice (copycat).
- Spoon it over mashed potatoes. Check out these Mashed Potato Recipes.
- Serve alongside crusty bread or even Outback Steakhouse Bread copycat.
- Use it as a filling for wraps or tortillas.
- Serve it with roasted potatoes or Air Fryer Baby Potatoes.
- Add a fried egg on top and enjoy for breakfast or lunch.
- Pair with a simple side salad.
- Serve with buttered noodles.
- Use it as a filling for baked potatoes. We love serving it this way!
Variations
- Here are several ways to change up this ground beef and cabbage skillet.
- Add sliced carrots for extra sweetness and color.
- Stir in diced bell peppers for more vegetables.
- Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter option.
- Add soy sauce and ginger for an Asian-inspired version.
- Mix in diced tomatoes for a slightly saucier skillet.
- Add cooked rice for a more filling one-pan meal.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top before serving.
- Add smoked paprika for a deeper flavor.
- Use Italian seasoning for a herb-forward variation.
- Add chopped mushrooms for extra savory flavor.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Storage, Freezing, Make-Ahead Advice
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
They will keep well for about 3 to 4 days.
Freezing
- Ground beef and cabbage skillet can be frozen.
- Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
- It will keep for about 2 months.
Reheating
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
- You can also microwave individual portions.
Make-Ahead
- You can slice the cabbage and dice the onion ahead of time.
- Store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.
Recipe Tips
- Slice the cabbage thinly so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Stir the skillet frequently so the cabbage softens without burning.
- If the pan becomes too dry, add a small splash of water or broth.
- Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- If you prefer softer cabbage, cook it a few extra minutes.
Cuisine
Ground beef and cabbage dishes appear in many cuisines around the world. This skillet version is best described as a simple American home-style dinner.
The combination of cabbage and meat is common in European cooking as well. You see it in Eastern European cabbage stews, German cabbage and sausage dishes, and Irish cabbage recipes (it's sort of a budget version of Irish Corned Beef with Cabbage).
This skillet version keeps things straightforward. It focuses on quick cooking and simple seasoning rather than a long simmer or complex ingredients.
FAQs
Yes. Bagged shredded cabbage works well and saves prep time.
Yes. Carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini all work well.
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken can replace the ground beef if you want a lighter meal.
Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ head green cabbage
- 1 onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Slice the cabbage thinly (I use a mandolin slicer, but you can also just use a knife). Dice the onion.
- Heat a large skillet over a medium heat, add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it up into crumbles, for 5 minutes.
- Add the onion and cook for a further 3 minutes.
- Place the cabbage into the skillet, sprinkle it with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the cabbage softens.
Notes
- Slice the cabbage thinly so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Stir the skillet frequently so the cabbage softens without burning.
- If the pan becomes too dry, add a small splash of water or broth.
- Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- If you prefer softer cabbage, cook it a few extra minutes.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Comments
No Comments