Name: Ground Beef and Cabbage
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 1/2 medium head of cabbage, chopped; 1 medium carrot, shredded or julienned; 3 tablespoons tomato sauce or paste; 1/2 cup beef broth or vegetable broth; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (regular or smoked); 1 medium to large onion; 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for cooking)

This quick and hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage recipe is a gluten-free and dairy-free one-skillet meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s flavorful, simple to prepare, and doesn’t require any complicated ingredients or sauces.

Ingredients

Cabbage – Use shredded or chopped cabbage, sliced like coleslaw but into thicker ribbons. A pre-cut coleslaw mix works too.
Ground Beef – I recommend lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter and minimize grease.
Shredded Carrots – Carrots add natural sweetness and pair well with cabbage. You can substitute with grated sweet potato or sliced bell peppers.
Tomato Paste – Choose a high-quality tomato paste in a tube, preferably from an Italian brand.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Beef:
In a skillet, heat a little oil over medium. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.

Sauté the Onions:
In the same skillet, cook the onions until translucent.

Add Carrots:
Stir in the grated carrots and cook until they’re soft.

Add Tomato Base:
Mix in tomato paste (or tomato sauce) and some vegetable stock (or a bouillon cube mixed with water). Stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Add Cabbage:
Stir in chopped cabbage and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Simmer Everything:
Combine all ingredients, cover, and simmer until the cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally.

Finish the Dish:
Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Mix everything well, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives, and serve warm.

Optional: Add a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt on top when serving.

Recipe Variations

Add Rice: Stir in ½ cup cooked rice for extra bulk.
Low-Carb Option: Swap rice for grated cauliflower or broccoli.
Try Different Sauces: Replace tomato paste with taco sauce, salsa, or BBQ sauce.
Go Asian-Inspired: Use soy sauce or coconut aminos instead of tomato.
Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes, chili powder, or Tabasco.
More Veggies: Include bell peppers, mushrooms, peas, or sprouted mung beans.
Garlic Boost: Add 1–2 minced garlic cloves with the onions for more flavor.

What to Serve With It

This meal is filling on its own, but you can make it more complete with:

Grains: Serve over white rice, ramen, udon, or soba noodles.
Salads: Try cucumber salad, tomato mozzarella salad, or a cucumber-tomato-onion combo.
Soups: A warm bowl of pumpkin soup pairs well.
Side Dishes: Mashed or whipped sweet potatoes, green beans, air fryer cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or dinner rolls.

How to Chop Cabbage for Frying

Remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves.
Slice the cabbage in half through the core.
Place a half flat-side down and slice thinly from top to bottom.
Cut long strips into smaller pieces if you prefer.
Repeat with the other half if needed.

Leftover Cabbage Ideas

Use extras for air-fried cabbage wedges or cabbage steaks. You can also ferment it into homemade sauerkraut for a tangy side.

To store cabbage (whole or chopped), check out my storage tips for keeping it fresh longer.

Storing Leftovers

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Freezer: Freeze for 2–3 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a skillet before serving.

Meal Prep Tips

Let the cooked dish cool completely.
Portion it into meal prep containers, optionally adding cooked rice.
Seal tightly.
Microwave individual servings for 2 minutes when ready to eat.

Yield: 5

Ground Beef and Cabbage

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 medium head of cabbage, chopped
1 medium carrot, shredded or julienned
3 tablespoons tomato sauce or paste
1/2 cup beef broth or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (regular or smoked)
1 medium to large onion
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for cooking)

Instructions

Brown the Beef:
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully done. If there's excess fat, drain it off and set the beef aside.
Sauté the Veggies:
Using the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until it turns translucent. Then, add the grated carrot and cook for a few more minutes until it softens.
Add Sauce and Simmer:
Pour in the tomato sauce or paste along with the broth (or a bouillon cube mixed with water). Stir everything together and let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add Cabbage and Seasoning:
Mix in the chopped cabbage, along with paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything well. Cover the skillet and cook, stirring now and then, until the cabbage softens to your liking.
Combine and Finish:
Return the cooked beef to the pan, give everything a final stir, and garnish with chopped herbs like parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot.
Quick Tip:
If you enjoy cabbage with a bit of crunch, cook it only until slightly wilted. Prefer it tender? Just let it simmer longer until it's completely soft.

Notes

This recipe yields 4–5 modest servings.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
When reheating in a skillet, splash in a little broth or water to refresh the flavors.
Want to freeze it? No problem—store in the freezer for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove when ready to enjoy again.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 304Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 81mgSodium 412mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 27g

dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.