Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage

 

🥘 Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage – A Cozy Classic You’ll Cook on Repeat

If you’ve ever opened your fridge to find a head of cabbage, a pound of ground beef, and wondered, “What can I do with this?” — this is your answer.

Ground beef and chopped cabbage is a simple, budget-friendly, and nutrient-rich dish that has stood the test of time in kitchens around the world. It’s rustic and unpretentious, but don’t let that fool you — when cooked right, this humble dish is incredibly satisfying.

This guide will walk you through the best way to make this classic comfort food, how to customize it to your taste or dietary needs, and how to turn it into a go-to weeknight favorite.

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🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

These basic ingredients are flexible and forgiving. The idea is to build flavor from simple components.

🥩 For the Main Dish:

• 1 pound ground beef (85% lean is ideal, but leaner works)

• 1 medium head green cabbage (about 6–8 cups, chopped)

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (if your beef is very lean)

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce (adds umami)

• ¼ cup broth or water, for moisture (optional)

• Chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish

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🔪 Prep Time: 15 minutes

⏲️ Cook Time: 30–35 minutes

🍽️ Total Time: About 45–50 minutes

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🔪 How to Cut the Cabbage

Cutting cabbage is easy if you know how to tackle it:

1. Remove any wilted outer leaves.

2. Cut the cabbage in half through the core.

3. Cut each half in half again, making quarters.

4. Cut out the thick white core at an angle.

5. Chop or shred into bite-sized pieces.

You want chunks that are not too small — about 1 to 2-inch pieces work best so the cabbage holds some texture when cooked.

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🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

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Step 1: Sauté the Ground Beef

Place a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Sauté until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

If your beef renders a lot of fat, drain off excess, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.

🧑‍🍳 Pro Tip: Don’t stir too much in the first few minutes — let it sear and brown to develop more flavor.

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Step 2: Add Onion and Garlic

Push the beef to one side of the pan and add a splash of oil or butter if needed. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until translucent.

Stir in the minced garlic, cooking just 1 minute until fragrant. Combine everything in the pan.

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Step 3: Add Spices and Flavor Base

Sprinkle in:

• Paprika

• Crushed red pepper flakes (if using)

• Worcestershire or soy sauce

Stir to coat the beef mixture and infuse the oil with spices.

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Step 4: Add Chopped Cabbage

Now, it’s time to add your cabbage. It may look like a lot at first, but cabbage cooks down significantly.

Add in half the cabbage, stir it into the beef mixture, then add the remaining half once the first portion begins to wilt.

You can also add a splash of broth or water (¼ cup) at this point to help steam and soften the cabbage.

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Step 5: Simmer and Soften

Cover the pan (if you have a lid) and cook over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender but not mushy.

Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt, pepper, or even a dash of vinegar or hot sauce can balance the flavor.

🧂 Balance Tip: A pinch of sugar or splash of vinegar (apple cider or rice vinegar) helps balance the natural bitterness of cabbage.

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Step 6: Serve Hot and Garnish

Once the cabbage is soft and the mixture is well combined, turn off the heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley, chopped scallions, or even grated cheese, if you like.

Serve hot as a main course or side dish.

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🍽️ Serving Ideas

This dish is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with:

• Mashed potatoes or buttered rice

• Crusty bread or buttered rolls

• Egg noodles or quinoa

• Fried or poached egg on top

• A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt

You can also tuck it into a wrap or stuff it into bell peppers for a creative meal prep idea.

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🔄 Variations: How to Make It Your Own

The beauty of this dish is its adaptability. Here are some fun and tasty ways to tweak it:

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🌶️ Spicy Korean-Inspired Version

• Use ground pork or a mix of beef and pork.

• Add gochujang (Korean chili paste) or sriracha.

• Finish with toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds.

• Top with a fried egg and serve with steamed rice.

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🇮🇹 Italian-Style Version

• Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, a splash of tomato sauce, and some grated Parmesan.

• Stir in cooked pasta for a cabbage-beef “casserole” feel.

• Use mozzarella or provolone as a topping.

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🇩🇪 German-Inspired Version

• Use ground bratwurst or sausage meat.

• Add caraway seeds and a splash of apple cider vinegar.

• Serve with boiled potatoes or spaetzle.

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🥬 Vegetable-Boosted Version

Add:

• Shredded carrots

• Sliced bell peppers

• Frozen peas or corn

• Chopped zucchini

This turns the dish into more of a colorful stir-fry or skillet meal.

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🧀 Cheesy Cabbage & Beef Skillet

• Stir in cheddar or Monterey Jack and melt under a broiler.

• Top with bread crumbs for crunch.

• Bake in a casserole dish for 15 minutes at 375°F for a gratin-style twist.

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🧊 Storage, Meal Prep & Leftovers

❄️ Refrigeration:

• Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.

🧊 Freezing:

• Cools well and freezes up to 2–3 months.

• Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.

🍱 Meal Prep Tip:

Portion into individual containers with rice or potatoes for easy grab-and-go lunches all week.

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🧠 Nutrition Notes

Ground beef and cabbage is a low-carb, protein-rich, and fiber-packed meal.

• Cabbage is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and antioxidants.

• Ground beef provides iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

• Add extra vegetables and use lean beef to make it even healthier.

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🧑‍🍳 Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Can I use purple cabbage instead of green?

Yes, but purple cabbage will lose some of its color and might turn blue-ish when cooked. Flavor-wise, it works just fine.

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Q: What if I don’t have Worcestershire or soy sauce?

You can substitute with:

• A dash of balsamic or apple cider vinegar

• A splash of tamari (gluten-free soy alternative)

• A spoonful of ketchup for a touch of sweetness and umami

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Q: Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely. Swap the beef for:

• Crumbled tofu

• Lentils

• Plant-based ground “meat” like Beyond or Impossible

• Sautéed mushrooms for that meaty texture

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Q: Is this keto or low-carb?

Yes! This is a great option for low-carb or keto diets, especially if you skip the soy sauce or use coconut aminos.

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✍️ Final Thoughts: Why This Dish is a Winner

Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage is a dish you make when you want real food, real fast. It’s:

• ✅ Cheap

• ✅ Satisfying

• ✅ One-pan

• ✅ Customizable

• ✅ Nutritious

It may not be flashy, but its strength lies in its simplicity. With a few ingredients and some stovetop magic, you end up with a filling, flavorful, soul-warming meal that pleases even picky eaters.

It’s the kind of dish your grandmother might’ve made — and the kind your future self will thank you for.

So don’t lose this recipe. Save it, print it, bookmark it. It might just become your next weeknight hero.

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