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This hearty and flavorful Irish-inspired dish combines ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes, and seasonings to create a simple and delicious meal. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any night of the week!
Table of Contents
Our Easy Korean Ground Beef is quickly becoming one of our absolute most popular recipes on our site. I love that everyone loves it, but I couldn’t stop thinking that if anyone else is like me, they’d probably appreciate a few different versions and with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I wanted to start there.
It’s really hard at our house to think up a few fun dishes for the kids, though our corned beef and cabbage recipe, St. Patty’s Day snack mix and Irish soda bread are all winners. So here’s to a random, quick and easy ground beef dinner recipe and all the joys of less dishes!
Ingredients for Ground Beef and Cabbage
This ground beef recipe uses simple, inexpensive ingredients making it both budget-friendly and perfect for a busy family. Here is everything you need:
- Ground Beef: Forms the hearty base of the dish, adding rich, savory flavor and plenty of protein to make this a filling, satisfying meal.
- Yellow Onion: Softens as it cooks and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory beef and spices.
- Garlic: Adds that unmistakable savory depth that makes the whole dish smell amazing while it cooks.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps everything taste well-seasoned instead of flat.
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Bring a touch of smokiness and gentle heat, adding depth and a slightly charred flavor to the sauce.
- Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base: Adds concentrated, bold beef flavor that makes the sauce taste like it simmered all day.
- Tomato Paste: Thickens the sauce and adds a deeper, richer tomato flavor. Totally optional, but highly recommended if you like a heartier sauce.
- Cumin: Adds warm, earthy flavor that complements both the beef and cabbage perfectly.
- Smoked Paprika: Brings a subtle smoky richness that deepens the overall flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Green Cabbage: Cooks down into tender, slightly sweet ribbons that soak up all the savory sauce while adding great texture and volume.
- NOTE: Use the other half of the cabbage another day for chopped Chinese chicken salad!
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage
This entire recipe from start to finish is made in one pan! It doesn’t get much better or easier than that! Dinner will be on the table in 30 minutes…
- Cook the Meat: Place the ground beef in a large skillet (or shallow dutch oven) over medium heat and cook the meat until browned. Push the beef to one side and drain any grease or liquid.
- Sauté: Add a little oil to the pan and sauté the onions and garlic with a little salt until tender and fragrant.
- Stir: Add in the undrained tomatoes and stir to combine. Then add the bouillon, tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to the beef mixture and mix everything together.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cabbage and little more salt and then let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
- Serve: Serve it hot and enjoy!
Place that one skillet in the sink and dig into your dinner knowing that clean up will be a breeze! The complete recipe can be found in the recipe card down below.
How to Chop Cabbage
When it comes to chopping cabbage, it’s not rocket science, but there are few tricks to making it easier.
- Remove any leaves from the outside that are wilted.
- Lay the whole head of lettuce on a cutting board and cut the whole head in half cutting through the core.
- Move one half to the side and the other half flat side down on the cutting board.
- Start slicing the cabbage from the end farthest from the core into thick slices.
- Lay each slice down flat and chop to desired size.
Substitutions and Recipe Variations
You can shred a carrot into the mix to add a little more depth and sweetness. Sliced bell peppers would be a yummy option too! Add them in when the ground beef is mostly browned and sauté until tender.
Try a dash of cayenne powder or Tabasco for heat.
Substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef for a leaner option.
What to Serve with Ground Beef and Cabbage
It’s impossible to think of an Irish dish without potatoes, we like to serve beef and chopped cabbage with a pile of mashed potatoes, home fries or crispy baked potatoes. It would also be great with a side of white rice or even garlic bread.
Special Diets
This cabbage and beef recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. It is also low carb, high protein and low calorie.
Storing and Reheating
This recipe makes great leftovers! They should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 5 days. Ground beef and cabbage also freezes really well. Let it cool completely and then place in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months.
To reheat it, let it thaw in the fridge and then place it in a skillet on the stovetop and warm up until heated through.
This classic comfort food dish is a hearty and delicious way to enjoy ground beef and cabbage. With simple ingredients and easy prep, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
- Family Ground Beef Stew
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Quick and Easy Dinner Ground Beef Casserole
- Beef Burrito Bowls
- One Skillet Ground Beef Enchiladas
- The Best Sloppy Joes
- Hamburger Helper
- Meatloaf
- All our Ground Beef Recipes
Watch How This Recipe is Made…
Irish Ground Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef, 85-90%
- 1 Yellow Onion, small, chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- 1 Can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, 15 oz, undrained
- 1 Tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Beef Stock
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste, optional for a thicker sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 Head Green Cabbage, chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a meat chopper until browned. Push the beef off to one side of the pan, draining off a little of the juices if there's a lot.1 Pound Ground Beef
- Add a little oil to the other side of the pan and sauté the onions and garlic with a little salt until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. You should begin to smell the caramelizing beef and onions, like a really good burger restaurant.1 Yellow Onion, 2 Cloves Garlic, Salt
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices.1 Can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- Add the better than bouillon, tomato paste (if using), cumin, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.1 Tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Beef Stock, 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste, 1/2 teaspoon Cumin, 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Stir in the chopped cabbage, and about ½-1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15-20 minutes.1/2 Head Green Cabbage, Salt
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I bought all the ingredients last week to make this, came back to the site and the recipe was gone with a 404 error. Made a kitchen sink version as best I could without the recipe and it was a great weekday meal. Will give it another go!
I’m so so sorry Monica!! I accidentally published it last week before realizing that we had a video in the works. It went up again this morning and now won’t be going anywhere, and now it has a video too! So sorry for the confusion! I hope you enjoy it!