Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe - The Foodie Affair (2024)

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Posted bySandra Shaffer on Updated on

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This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet is a flavorful, family friendly one pot meal that is loaded with tender beef and juicy cabbage and it can be on your table in 30 minutes or less. This dish is naturally gluten free, low-carb and is sure to become a regular on your menu rotation!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll This Recipe

This ground beef and cabbage skillet has so many reasons to love it!

  • It’s quick and easy which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
  • And, it’s loaded with lean protein, fiber-filled veggies and healthy fats.
  • It’s full of seasonings which makes gives this one-pot dish a burst of savory flavors.
  • This is the perfect low carb and keto friendly meal that the whole family will enjoy.
  • You only need a few basic ingredients to help you make this delicious dish.

Equipment Needed

To make this simple skillet meal you only need a few kitchen tools. Grab these tools and get ready to enjoy this cheesy cabbage casserole! The whole family will love this easy dinner!

  • Dutch oven or large cast-iron skillet, which I love using and if you’re interested in learning more about cooking with cast iron check this post (ten reasons to try cast iron cookware).
  • Wooden spoon or tongs for sautéing.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe - The Foodie Affair (2)

Ingredients

Making this low-carb skillet only requires a few simple ingredients. The best part about this skillet is that all of these ingredients are budget-friendly and easy to find at your local grocery store. You may even already have some of these ingredients on hand, which can save you a trip to the store.

  • ground beef
  • cabbage – I like to slice my own, but you could purchase a pre-cut bag of cabbage.
  • butter
  • taco seasoning
  • shredded cheese
  • minced onion
  • salt and pepper

How to Make This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe

Are you ready to make this low carb meal? Just follow these simple instructions and you will have a hearty family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy days in no time at all.

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Saute the cabbage

In a large skillet add 1 tablespoon of butter and saute cabbage on medium high heat until the cabbage softens. Remove from heat and place cabbage in a separate dish.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe - The Foodie Affair (4)

Step 3: Brown the ground beef

In the same skillet add the remaining tablespoon of butter and cook ground beef breaking up meat as it cooks. Add taco seasoning, onion and stir until meat is cooked. If the meat is dry add up to 1/4 cup of water.

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Step 4: Add the cheese and cabbage to the skillet

Return cabbage to skillet and season with salt and pepper. Fold in 1/2 cup of cheese.

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Step 5: Brown the top of the cheese

Top skillet with remaining cheese and place in the oven. Cook until cheese melts (10 minutes).

What To Serve With This Dish

This hearty meal is amazing on it’s own, however you could also serve with it healthy veggies such as Baked Zucchini Squash. I also enjoy ending a keto-friendly meal like this one, with a dessert such as these Keto Cheesecake Brownies.

Substitutions and Additions

This dish is so versatile, that you can make a few small modifications to customize it to your family’s tastes. No matter what you choose to add or subtract from this skillet meal, your family will love it!

  • You could add additional vegetables such as bell peppers or carrots.
  • You could also swap out ground beef for another type of ground meat such as ground turkey or italian sausage.
  • And if you need this meal to be vegetarian then swapping the ground beef for your favorite meatless product would work as well.
  • You could also try adding a different type of cheese, such as cheddar cheese or even Parmesan.
  • Add a hint of spice to this dish with a sprinkle of chili powder, diced jalapeños, diced green chili or your favorite hot sauce.
  • If you want to add a little more flavor to this dish, you can add in soy sauce, coconut aminos, minced cloves of garlic, green onions, sesame oil, italian seasoning, or a splash of hoisin sauce.
  • Add a can of beans (if you aren’t limiting your carbs)
  • Mix in some spicy tomatoes like Rotel
  • Top with sliced olives, a dollop of guacamole or avocado cream sauce

How To Store

Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommending freezing this dish, and I doubt you will have leftovers to consider that option.

Reheating – Reheat in the microwave for about 1 minute or until warm all the way through. Or you could also reheat on the stovetop in a skillet over low heat until warm.

Sandra’s Pro Tips

Do you want to make sure that this recipe turns out perfectly every time that you make it? Here are a few tips that you can use.

  • If you to save a little time in the kitchen then you can use pre-shredded cabbage.
  • You could also cook the cabbage in bacon grease to increase the flavor. Or you could use a mixture of bacon grease and butter.
  • You don’t have to stick with one type of cheese, try adding in a variety for different flavors and textures.
  • If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, make sure that this skillet is oven-safe before you add it to the oven.
  • Give the cabbage and beef mixture a little taste to make sure that it suit your tastebuds before you add the remaining cheese and melt it.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this easy meal? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this quick dinner recipe.

Do you season ground beef before or after it browns?

I recommend that you season the beef after you brown it. Seasoning before will dry the moisture out and give you a dry beef.

Can I use fresh onions instead of dried onions?

Yes, but I recommend that you saute the onions while you are browning the beef so that they cook through.

Can I freeze cooked cabbage?

Yes, you can freeze cooked cabbage. Place the cooled cabbage in a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

Other Delicious Recipes You May Enjoy

  • If you are looking for another healthy yet delicious skillet meal recipe, look no further than these Skillet Pork Chops. They turn out juicy, tender and flavorful every time that you make them.
  • Do you want to spice up your meal rotation? This Tex Mex shredded beef, yet filled with Southwest flavor!
  • Did you know that you can whip up delicious desserts in your skillets? Why only use them for savory foods when you can make some chocolatey goodness like this Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookie Skillet.

Give this low carb Mexican Beef Cabbage Soup a try too!

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe - The Foodie Affair (10)

Tex Mex Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe

Ground beef and cabbage with a Tex-Mex flair! This low carb stovetop to oven recipe is simple to make and completely customize-able. Want more heat, add some jalapenos or diced chilies.

4.60 from 96 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Beef and Cabbage, low carb beef and cabbage, Tex Mex skillet recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 388kcal

Author: Sandra Shaffer

Ingredients

  • 1/2 head green cabbage sliced in shreds
  • 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
  • 1 1/2 cups Mexican Cheese Blend
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • In a large skillet add 1 tablespoon of butter and saute cabbage on medium high heat until the cabbage softens. Remove from heat and place cabbage in a separate dish.

  • In the same skillet add the remaining tablespoon of butter and cook ground beef breaking up meat as it cooks. Add taco seasoning, onion and stir until meat is cooked. If the meat is dry add up to 1/4 cup of water.

  • Return cabbage to skillet and season with salt and pepper. Fold in 1/2 cup of cheese.

  • Top skillet with remaining cheese and place in the oven. Cook until cheese melts (10 minutes).

Video

Notes

You can use a pre-sliced package of coleslalw if you perefer. I find that the cabbage is too thin and gets mushy quick, so watch the cooking time closely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 388kcal

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe - The Foodie Affair (2024)

FAQs

Did I cook my ground beef enough? ›

Because doneness and safety cannot be judged by color, it is very important to use a food thermometer when cooking ground beef. To be sure all harmful bacteria are destroyed, cook all ground beef products to an internal temperature of 160 °F throughout. Ground beef can be pink inside after it is safely cooked.

How to cook large portions of ground beef? ›

Bulk Cooking Ground Beef in a Slow Cooker
  1. Break ground beef up into smaller pieces in the slow cooker.
  2. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. ...
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. ...
  4. Drain. ...
  5. Let cool and package into smaller portions into freezer bags (don't forget to label the bags).
Feb 18, 2016

How long should ground beef be cooked? ›

How long does it take to cook ground beef? Once the water has come to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer. It should only take about 15 minutes for the beef to fully cook through. The meat will turn brown when it's done, so keep an eye on it.

How long to cook ground beef in a pan? ›

(Remember, a bit of pink is okay if the meat registers 160°F.) On most stove tops, browning a pound of ground beef takes approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Remember, it's important to continue stirring and breaking the pieces into the same size with the wooden spoon or heatproof spatula so the ground beef cooks evenly.

How do you cook ground beef so it's fine? ›

A lot of talk about temperature, and fat content, and all that, but really you just chop and stir quickly over medium to high heat—cook it quickly, again, like scrambled eggs. Start on low heat and stir often as it separates. Then turn the heat up to cook. Some people have added water to separate the ground beef.

How many pounds of ground beef do I need for 10 people? ›

When Meat Is a Component of a Dish. If the meat is part of a bigger dish, like pasta or curry, plan for 1/4 to 1/3 pound (four to six ounces) per person. That means you'll want at least 2 1/2 pounds of meat if you're planning to have 10 people over to dinner, and 5 or more pounds of meat if you're cooking for 20 guests ...

How many pounds of ground beef do I need for 6 people? ›

4 people – 24 oz. (1 1/3 lbs.) 6 people – 36 oz. (2 lbs.)

How to tell if ground beef is fully cooked? ›

Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 °F as measured with a food thermometer. The color of cooked ground beef can be quite variable. At 160 °F, a safely cooked patty may look brown, pink, or some variation of brown or pink.

Is it OK if ground beef is a little undercooked? ›

USDA recommends not eating or tasting raw or undercooked ground beef.

What happens if you eat not fully cooked ground beef? ›

Raw and undercooked meat may carry harmful bacteria including AMR bacteria. When meat is minced, harmful bacteria from the surface of the raw meat are mixed throughout the whole piece. Thorough cooking of meat including burger patties and steaks can reduce the risks of food poisoning and acquiring bacteria with AMR.

How do you know if ground beef is not cooked? ›

To destroy these bacteria and reduce your risk of food poisoning, cook ground beef thoroughly and use a meat thermometer to verify that its internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). It's safest to never eat raw or spoiled ground beef.

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