This recipe Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet is made with a hearty mix of savory beef, tender cabbage, and smoky tomatoes in under thirty minutes. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for those nights when you want real food without hours in the kitchen.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

• Savory ground beef
• Tender shredded cabbage and sweet shredded carrots
• Smoky fire roasted tomatoes and onion
• Quick and easy one-pan dinner
• Perfect for busy weeknights

One pan meals make life easier, especially when they cook quickly and don’t leave a pile of dishes behind. This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet falls right into that category and uses simple ingredients you probably already keep around. It comes together with very little prep and makes enough for leftovers, which is always a bonus.

As everything cooks, the beef turns rich and savory while the cabbage softens and blends with the smoky tomatoes. In minutes, you end up with a warm, hearty skillet that tastes like it simmered much longer than it did. It’s a healthy, low carb meal that perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table without hours in the kitchen.

If you love this recipe, you should also try my Fried Cabbage and Sausage and Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipes.

🛒 Ingredients for Ground Beef and Fried Cabbage

• Ground beef
• Green cabbage
• Fire roasted tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Yellow onion
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Tomato paste
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Large skillet

🔪 How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Heat a large skillet to medium and add in the ground beef, half the salt and pepper.

Cook until browned, then remove and set aside.

Add in the olive oil and chopped onions.

Sauté until tender, then add in the garlic and continue sautéing for another 30 seconds.

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and tomato paste, then toast in the pan for about 30 seconds.

Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any brown bits of flavor.  Add in the diced tomatoes and stir.

Add in the shredded cabbage and carrots, stir and simmer covered for 5-7 minutes.  

Stir occasionally until the cabbage is tender, then add the ground beef back in and simmer for 5 more minutes and it’s ready to serve.

☑️ Storage Instruction

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

🍴 What to Serve with Beefy Cabbage Skillet

This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet is filling enough to enjoy on its own, but a simple side can make it feel even more complete.

• Mashed cauliflower when you want something extra comforting.

• Keto dinner rolls for soaking up every bit of the savory sauce.

• Keto cornbread if you want something warm and slightly sweet on the side.

• Cauliflower rice to keep things low carb while stretching the meal.

• Air fryer roasted green beans or broccoli for a fresh, simple vegetable side.

💡 Tips

• I like to use a wide skillet so the cabbage cooks evenly instead of steaming in layers.
• Drain the tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the skillet.
• Keep the heat at medium so the cabbage softens without browning too fast.
• Stir gently so the cabbage keeps some texture instead of breaking down.
• Taste near the end and adjust salt gradually to avoid oversalting.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms with the onions for extra savory depth and nutrients.

• Heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or top with a dash of hot sauce if you like mild heat.

• Broth: Swap beef broth for chicken broth if that is what you have on hand.

• Protein: Use ground turkey for a lighter version with a similar texture.

• Herbs: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color and freshness.

• Cheese: Mix in a small amount of grated parmesan right before serving for a tangy finish.

Why Did My Beefy Cabbage Skillet Turn Out Watery?

This usually happens if the tomatoes were not drained well or the skillet was overcrowded.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Yes, it reheats very well and the flavors deepen after resting.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Yes, but use a very large skillet or wok or cook in two batches.

Is Cabbage OK for Keto?

Absolutely! Cabbage is a great veggie for Keto. Because it has a mild flavor, cabbage is even used as a pasta substitute in some Keto lasagna recipes. There are approximately 6.5 total grams of carbs in a one cup size portion of fried cabbage. The fiber in cabbage comes in around 2.5 grams making the net carb count only 4 grams.

🍽️ More Skillet Recipes

• Creamy Tuscan Chicken Skillet
• Taco Skillet
• Skillet Salsa Chicken
• Fiesta Chicken Skillet
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
• Baked Southwest Skillet