Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet (One Pan)

Ground beef and cabbage is a quick, budget-friendly skillet dinner that is hearty, healthy, and ready in about 30 minutes. Browned beef and tender cabbage simmer together with tomatoes and savory seasoning for a comforting one-pan meal that is naturally low in carbs.

This ground beef and cabbage recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and just one pan, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Below you will find the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and easy ways to turn it into a soup, casserole, or stir fry.

What Is Ground Beef and Cabbage?

It is a simple skillet dish of browned ground beef cooked down with chopped cabbage, onion, and tomatoes. Sometimes called fried cabbage with hamburger or a cabbage skillet, it is a classic frugal meal that turns a few humble ingredients into a filling dinner. It is naturally low carb, keto friendly, and easy to stretch for a crowd. Versions of this humble, thrifty dish show up in kitchens all over the world, from Irish and Southern American cooking to Eastern European tables.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One pan, 30 minutes. Fast, filling, and easy to clean up.
• Budget friendly. A little beef and a cabbage feed the whole family.
• Low carb and keto. Hearty without the heaviness.
• Easy to adapt. Turn it into a soup, casserole, or stir fry.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground beef. Lean or regular, browned with aromatics.
• Cabbage. Green cabbage, chopped, cooks down tender.
• Onion and garlic. The savory base.
• Diced tomatoes. For moisture and a little tang.
• Soy sauce. A splash of savory, umami depth.
• Paprika and Italian seasoning. Warm, everyday flavor.

How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage

1. Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic, cooking to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, then drain the excess fat. Check it against the USDA safe minimum internal temperature chart.
2. Add the chopped cabbage and cook, stirring, until it wilts and softens.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, soy sauce, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
4. Simmer until the cabbage is tender and the flavors meld, about 10 minutes.
5. Season to taste and serve on its own or over rice.

Tips for the Best Skillet

• Drain the beef so the skillet does not turn greasy.
• Do not overcook the cabbage. It is best tender with a little bite.
• Chop the cabbage evenly so it cooks at the same rate.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of vinegar for extra flavor.

Variations to Try

• Cabbage soup. Add broth and more tomatoes for a cozy soup.
• Casserole. Layer it with rice and cheese and bake until bubbly.
• Stir fry. Add ginger and extra soy for a Chinese-style stir fry.
• Over rice. Serve it over rice or mashed potatoes to stretch it.

Storage and Meal Prep

This dish is great for meal prep. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days, and it freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. For more easy beef dinners, try our ground beef sweet potato bowl, pepper steak, or steak nachos.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small head cabbage chopped
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 14 oz diced tomatoes 1 can
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic in the olive oil, cooking to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, then drain excess fat.
2. Add the chopped cabbage and cook, stirring, until it wilts and softens, about 8 minutes.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, soy sauce, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
4. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the flavors meld.
5. Season to taste and serve on its own or over rice.

Notes

Cook ground beef to 160 degrees F. This one-pan skillet is naturally low carb and keto friendly. Serve it over rice or mashed potatoes to stretch it further, or add a can of beans for extra heartiness.

Frequently Asked Questions