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.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe - The Foodie Affair (5)

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

What to do with already cooked ground beef? ›

Leftover Challenge: 8 Ways to Use Leftover Ground Beef
  1. Make it Mexican. ...
  2. Stuff it into veggies.
  3. Stir it into chili. ...
  4. Transform it into soup. ...
  5. Whip up a casserole. ...
  6. Roll up some meatballs.
  7. Dish it up in pasta. ...
  8. Make it as easy as pie.

When to add seasoning to ground beef? ›

Season the Ground Beef

When it comes to seasoning your ground beef, wait until after it has been browned and drained. Adding salt to raw ground beef pulls out moisture, drying the meat out and creating steam while it cooks, which prevents it from browning properly.

Do you brown ground beef with oil or butter? ›

Choose the right pan

If you're working with a nonstick pan, you may not need to add any additional oil. The natural fat from the ground beef will help the meat brown and prevent it from sticking. If you prefer, you can add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan before adding the beef.

How long does it take to brown ground beef in a skillet? ›

(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 long is leftover cooked ground beef good for in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

Should you rinse ground beef after cooking? ›

Rinsing raw ground beef could pose a health risk by splashing bacteria-filled juices all over your kitchen's surfaces. After the beef has been cooked, you're just rinsing away good flavor. If you want to get rid of some of the grease, drain the beef, but don't rinse it. It's just not necessary.

How long is ground beef good for after cooking and refrigerating? ›

How Long Does Cooked Ground Beef Last in the Fridge? Say you've cooked up a pound of ground beef for taco night, how long will that last you in the fridge? Like all leftovers, cooked meats will last in the refrigerator for three to four days, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

What can I add to ground beef for flavor? ›

ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons oregano.
  2. 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  3. 1 teaspoon cumin.
  4. 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  5. 2 teaspoons onion powder.
  6. 12 teaspoon salt.
  7. 1 lb ground beef.
  8. 12 cup water.

Do you put taco seasoning before or after cooking beef? ›

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in water and taco seasoning mix; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Spoon beef into taco shells.

When to add onions to ground beef? ›

Add onions or other chopped seasoning vegetables about 2 to 3 minutes before the beef is ready, or cook them separately. When the pan is hot, add about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break the ground beef up into smaller pieces as it cooks.

What is the secret to best ground beef? ›

For More Tender Ground Meat, Grind It After Cooking Too

And it's easy enough to get: Just cook your meat with seasonings as you usually would, then cool the mixture and transfer it to a food processor. Pulse it together to your desired consistency and you'll have a much more tender and hom*ogenous filling.

Why cook ground beef in milk? ›

It's milk.

The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins. Whole milk (not reduced fat), buttermilk, and yogurt all get the job done – with a special nod to buttermilk and yogurt for their optimal tenderizing acidity levels.

Do you put anything in the pan when cooking ground beef? ›

It can be used in chili, tacos, sloppy joes, lasagna and beyond! Cooking it is fairly straight-forward. All you need is a skillet, a bit of oil and salt to turn ground beef into browned, juicy crumbles to use in dinner recipes.

What is the easiest way to brown ground beef? ›

Cast iron and stainless steel are the best choices for getting that beautiful, brown sear. Once the pan is hot, add the meat, and use a spatula to break it up into pieces. Let the meat brown without touching for about five minutes. This gives the meat more contact with the pan, and thus, a better sear.

How to cook ground beef in a frying pan? ›

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add the ground beef and, using a spatula, press the beef into an even, flat layer in the pan, almost like you're making a big hamburger. Let it cook untouched for 4 minutes. This is what helps create a brown crust.

How do you brown meat without sticking to the pan? ›

How to Keep Proteins from Sticking to the Pan
  1. Make sure your pan is hot enough. Be sure to get your pan sufficiently hot before adding the protein, since heat helps to break the bonds.
  2. Use enough fat. ...
  3. Be patient. ...
  4. Look for browning.
Jan 26, 2023

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