• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Joe's Healthy Meals

  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
    • Meals
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Main dish
      • Fruit
    • Side dishes
    • Seafood
    • Appetizers
    • Sauces
    • Salads
    • Pasta
    • Desserts
    • Meats
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Turkey
    • Condiments
    • Drinks
    • Soup
    • Baking
    • Sandwiches
    • Tips
You are here: Home / Main dish / Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

March 3, 2022 By Joe 23 Comments

262 shares
  • Facebook
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Ground beef and cabbage are a terrific combination of flavors. Add to that a couple of unique spices to really make this recipe special. And, by using lean ground beef, the calories stay low for this healthy casserole dish.

Overhead view of cabbage and ground beef recipe.

I was thinking that with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, a recipe with cooked cabbage without corned beef would be fun to try.

Don’t get me wrong but I love corned beef and cabbage. Instead of corned beef, I thought lean ground beef would be a good substitute. 

A tomato sauce and beef broth were used for the liquid. It reminded me of a tomato soup, so I used my Tomato Bisque Recipe as the inspiration for the spices.

The ground beef and cabbage dish turned out great. It’s a healthy recipe the whole family will like.

Simple Ingredients for the Cabbage Skillet

  • Lean ground beef
  • Small head of cabbage
  • Medium onion
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Beef broth
  • Butter
  • Dried dill
  • Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Sour cream
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper

Head of cabbage being cut up.

Preparing the Cabbage

When I got the idea for this cabbage recipe, I wanted the cabbage to be the star of the dish. Therefore, I kept the cabbage pieces fairly large.

Here is how I cut up the head of cabbage. 

First of all, cut off the stem. That will allow you to pull off 4 or 5 of the large outer leaves. The remaining cabbage should be nice and clean.

Wedges of cabbage being cut up.

Then, use a sharp chef’s knife to cut the head lengthwise through the core to make 4 pieces. This will expose the tough, solid core and make it easy to chop out.

Wedge of cabbage being cut up.

To make a more stable base for cutting the wedge of cabbage, I cut down the point of the wedge.

This might be unnecessary, but no fingers were endangered by a wobbly cabbage wedge.

Wedge of cabbage on a cutting board.

Cut the cabbage into 4 or 5 strips then chop those into 1/2″ to 3/4″ pieces. 

The larger veins were also cut off and discarded. (Our city has a composting site so this waste goes right to them).

Slices of a wedge of cabbage.

Next time I make this dish, I think that I’ll just use a mandoline to shred the cabbage like you would for coleslaw. That’s really easy. Use whatever method you prefer for chopping the cabbage.

Dutch oven on the burner with browned ground beef, diced tomato, and spices.

How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

You will need to use a large, high-sided skillet or a Dutch oven that holds at least 4 quarts.

And the skillet will need a good-fitting lid. This is a four quart dutch oven that I’m using.

Start by browning the ground beef on medium heat. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and cook until most of the beef is browned.

If you have used lean ground beef there shouldn’t be much fat in the skillet. If you have fat, remove it with a spoon.

Next, add the coarsely chopped onion and let the onion cook and soften for 3 or 4 minutes.

Next, add the beef broth and can of diced tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of your skillet.

Now add the spices and butter and stir them in and bring to a boil.

Cabbage in the dutch oven ready to be cooked.

Add all of the cabbage and lower the heat to a simmer and put the lid on the pot. This will steam and wilt the cabbage. 

It will take about 20 minutes of cooking time to steam the cabbage until it is tender. Every 5 minutes, use a large spoon or a wide wooden spoon like I have to turn the cabbage and beef mixture.

This will ensure that the cabbage gets cooked evenly.

Sour cream being added to the cabbage and ground beef.

Once the cabbage is thoroughly cooked and tender, add the sour cream and toss it to dissolve. 

Serve the ground beef and cabbage hot.

Close-up view of the hamburger and cabbage dish.

Variations to Consider

Meat substitutes: Ground turkey or chicken. Italian sausage. Add some chopped slices of bacon.

Additions: Shredded carrots, green bell pepper, green onions, top with cheddar cheese, substitute Rotel for the diced tomatoes. 

Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It is easy to reheat the ground beef and cabbage in a microwave oven too.

The flavor of the casserole is just as good the next day.

Cabbage and ground beef in the skillet ready to eat.

Here are some more tasty recipes to try:

  • Crepes St. Jacques
  • Dinner ideas with Hamburger and potatoes
  • Green beans with bacon and onions
  • Homemade Italian sausage recipe
  • Wicked good fish tacos
  • Shrimp and sausage stew
Overhead view of ground beef and cabbage.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Healthy recipe that is satisfying but is low in calories and high in nutrition.
5 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef and cabbage, ground beef and cabbage
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 249kcal
Author: Joe Boyle

Ingredients

  • 1 head cabbage, 2 to 2.5 pounds
  • 1 lbs. lean ground beef, 92%
  • 1 med. yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth, I used Better Than Bouillon beef base
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1 tbsp. dried dill
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1.5 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Section the head of cabbage and remove the outer leaves and the core. Chop into bite-sized pieces or use a mandoline to shred the cabbage. You should end up with 1 1/2 to 2-pounds of cabbage.
  • Using a 4 quart dutch oven or other pot with a lid, brown the ground beef and break it up into small pieces. Once the meat is browned, remove any fat that might have rendered using a spoon. Then add the chopped onion and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Next, add the beef broth and diced tomatoes and the liquid in the can. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Then stir in the spices and butter. Bring the pot to a boil.
  • Place all of the chopped cabbage into the pot, lower the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Steam the cabbage for 20 minutes until it is soft, stirring the cabbage and turning every 5 minutes to ensure it is cooked evenly throughout the pot.
  • Once the cabbage is tender, add the sour cream and stir it in until fully dissolved into the dish. Serve the ground beef and cabbage hot.

Notes

  1. Substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey. Also Italian sausage could be used.
  2. Additional vegetables could also be added. Green bell pepper, shredded carrot, green onions, or chopped fennel.
  3. Make a spicy dish by substituting Rotel for the diced tomatoes. 
  4. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Reheat in a microwave oven. Leftovers can also be frozen in an airtight container for 4 to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal
 

Ground beef and cabbage recipe collage for Pinterest.

262 shares
  • Facebook
  • Yummly

Filed Under: Beef, Main dish, meats

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE DELICIOUS MEALS FROM FRESH INGREDIENTS?

SIGN UP TO ACCESS ALL THE NEW RECIPE POSTS.
Previous Post: « Seared Tuna Steak Recipe
Next Post: 8 Dinner Ideas with Hamburger and Potatoes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aurora

    January 7, 2023 at 7:13 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this recipe Joe, it was amazing! I really loved the notes at the end as well.

    Reply
    • Joe

      January 7, 2023 at 7:36 pm

      Hi Aurora,

      Thank you for the nice comment. Glad you liked the recipe.

      Joe

      Reply
  2. Darleen

    December 28, 2022 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    Delish

    Reply
    • Joe

      December 28, 2022 at 8:46 pm

      Thanks Darleen. I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Dawn

    December 20, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    I just made this it is delicious amazing and easy too Thanks

    Reply
    • Joe

      December 20, 2022 at 8:24 pm

      Thank you Dawn, I’m glad you liked my recipe.

      Reply
  4. mol

    November 13, 2022 at 10:35 pm

    Loved it. Made a couple modifications because didn’t have everything. Omitted the dill because my guy doesn’t like dill. Didn’t have sour cream and used leftover cream cheese. Used leftover spaghetti sauce instead of tomato sauce. 1st time cooking with cabbage, TY! TY! TY!

    Reply
    • Joe

      November 13, 2022 at 10:47 pm

      Thanks for the comment. Glad that you made it work for you.

      Reply
  5. Emily Ipsen

    November 11, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious AND EASY!! I added carrots and could have added some zucchini
    and potatoes. It’s great…my husband loved it as well. It could be served to a group
    on a cold winter day. I served it in soup bowls and found that the recipe served 5
    generously.

    Reply
    • Joe

      November 11, 2022 at 6:09 pm

      Hi Emily,

      I’m so glad that you liked my recipe. And thank you for taking the time to make a nice comment.

      Joe

      Reply
  6. Pat

    October 26, 2022 at 12:47 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent!

    Reply
    • Joe

      October 26, 2022 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you Pat.

      Reply
  7. Candy

    August 30, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    5 stars
    The dill weed and sour cream MAKE this recipe! Do not leave them out! I thought they both sounded a little strange, and I thought about leaving the sour cream out. I tasted it without and it was good. I put a little in a bowl and added a dab of sour cream and then it was GREAT! So in went a heaping half cup since I had added quite a few grated carrots and some rice I’d cooked in a cup of beef bullion water. I didn’t use the oregano because I wasn’t in the mood for Italian flavor. Sooo good! Thank you. Gonna serve with crescent rolls. Oh, and I tried a little with cheese because I like cheese on everything, but I actually liked it better without! I’ll let people add their own if they want it.

    Reply
    • Joe

      August 30, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      Hi Candy,

      Thanks for trying my recipe and for the nice comment. The way you altered the recipe sounds great.

      Joe

      Reply
  8. Tiffany

    June 30, 2022 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    I didn’t have dill but so glad I made this anyways! Absolutely love it, perfect and easy comfort food. Thanks for the recipe Joe❤️

    Reply
    • Joe

      June 30, 2022 at 9:05 pm

      Hi Tiffany,

      I’m happy that you liked my recipe. Easy comfort food is right.

      Joe

      Reply
  9. Kathy Holley

    May 10, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent. I will definitely make this over and over. Love the hint of dill..

    Reply
    • Joe

      May 10, 2022 at 10:04 pm

      Hi Kathy,

      Thank you for the nice comment. Glad that you liked the recipe.

      Joe

      Reply
  10. Kristin Nelson

    April 16, 2022 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    I love cooked cabbage! This is perfect comfort food.

    Reply
  11. Amy

    April 7, 2022 at 7:33 am

    5 stars
    Anything with cabbage is good for me! And easy and delicious to make meat free with veggie stock and a can or two of beans in place of beef. Cheap and delicious comfort food!

    Reply
  12. MaryJo

    April 6, 2022 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    It may not look super fancy, but this is a tasty dish, with lots of flavor. And leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

    Reply
  13. Josie

    April 6, 2022 at 10:30 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good! Kind of like stuffed cabbage but way easier and the herbs make it so much better! Total comfort food.

    Reply
    • Joe

      April 6, 2022 at 11:31 pm

      Hi Josie,

      Thank you for the nice comment. Glad that you liked it.

      Joe

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

     Welcome to my Website

I know you can make healthy food using unprocessed, easy-to-find ingredients. Most of my recipes don’t take a lot of time to make but taste amazingly good. Glad you found me…let’s get cooking.

read more

Are you ready to make delicious meals from fresh ingredients? Come along and never miss a new recipe post.

Featured in

companies that have featured me

Search for recipes

Copyright © joeshealthymeals.com 2013 - 2023 -     All Rights Reserved        Privacy Policy