Turn a pound of ground beef and a head of cabbage into a hearty dinner with smoky spices, tomato paste, and butter. Simple ingredients, big flavor.
My husband’s been on keto, so I wanted a protein-packed dinner he’d actually get excited about. Dirty cabbage caught my attention, mostly because of that name. It sounded questionable, but it’s now a dinner I’d happily make again.
Cabbage can be a little boring, but browned beef, smoky spices, and butter give it a lot to work with. It soaks up all those flavors and stretches a pound of beef into a big, filling batch.
I like mine over rice, while my husband adds cheese and hot sauce to his. One skillet, dinner for both of us, and leftovers for tomorrow.
What Is Dirty Cabbage?
Dirty cabbage is a one-pan dish made with cabbage, ground beef, onion, and seasonings. The browned meat, spices, and sauce coat and darken the cabbage, giving it its “dirty” appearance.
You might also see it called filthy cabbage. The names are used interchangeably, with no standard difference between them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef. Lean beef means less grease to drain. If you use a fattier blend, drain the excess before adding the onion.
- Sausage. Smoked sausage, kielbasa, or andouille all work well. Choose mild for a smoky flavor or spicy for extra heat.
- Onion. Dice it small so it softens quickly and mixes evenly with the beef.
- Tomato paste. Adds concentrated tomato flavor and richness. Also helps thicken the sauce.
- Liquid seasoning. Adds a concentrated savory flavor. Saltiness varies by brand, so taste before adding more salt.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder.
- Green cabbage. Remove the tough core and chop the leaves into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Butter. Stir it in at the end to coat the beef and cabbage with a rich, buttery finish.
How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage
This recipe comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes. Here’s how to make it:
1. Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef with the salt and spices until browned.
2. Add the sausage. Cook the sliced sausage until lightly browned.
2. Add the onion and cook until softened.
3. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Simmer the cabbage. Add the water and liquid seasoning, then the cabbage. Cover and cook until tender, then stir to combine.
5. Finish with butter. Stir in the butter, taste, and adjust the seasoning.
Substitutions and Variations
- Switch the meat. Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of beef.
- Add more vegetables. Try sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or shredded carrots. Cook them with the onion before adding the tomato sauce.
- Adjust the heat. Add chili flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce for a spicier dish.
- Make it cheesy. Stir in shredded cheddar at the end, or sprinkle it over the top and cover briefly until melted.
What to Serve with Ground Beef and Cabbage
Ground beef and cabbage is great on its own, especially with a few dashes of hot sauce. But you can also serve it with any of these:
- Rice. Spoon it over a pile of rice to soak up the buttery juices.
- Bread. Serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls to mop up the sauce.
- Tortillas. Tuck it into a warm tortilla with sour cream and shredded cheese.
- Cheese. Melt shredded cheddar or mozzarella over the top to make it richer.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
To Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. Store for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if needed. Or, microwave individual portions in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Ground Beef Shawarma (Filipino-Style)
Honey Ground Beef (Jollibee Copycat)
Ground Beef and Cabbage (Dirty Cabbage)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil or as needed
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 sausage links sliced
- 1 teaspoons salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ medium onion diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon liquid seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 large head green cabbage cored and chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef beef, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the sausage and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the water and liquid seasoning. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the cabbage. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, until tender. Uncover and stir until cabbage is evenly mixed with the beef.
- Stir in the butter until melted. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve and enjoy!
