This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet is a straightforward one-pan meal that combines brisk cooking with bold flavors and varied textures. The blend of savory spices with vibrant vegetables makes this dish not only delicious but also highly satisfying, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Save This Recipe! 💌
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
What Is Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet?
This easy ground beef and cabbage skillet is one of those recipes that sounds simple but tastes absolutely incredible — savory seasoned ground beef stir fried with crisp cabbage, sweet bell peppers, carrots, and green onions in a tangy Asian-inspired sauce that comes together in just 25 minutes! It’s hearty, healthy, naturally low carb, and made entirely in one pan. This is the kind of weeknight dinner that goes on your regular rotation and stays there forever!
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
- 25 minutes start to finish — one of the fastest dinners you can make
- One pan — minimal cleanup!
- Naturally low carb — great for keto and low carb eating
- Healthy and nutritious — lean protein and colorful vegetables
- Bold Asian-inspired flavors — ginger, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar
- Budget friendly — cabbage and ground beef are two of the most affordable ingredients!
- Great for meal prep — stores beautifully for 3 days
What You’ll Need
- A large skillet or wok — you need the space to toss all those vegetables!
- Ground beef — 80/20 for the best flavor, or lean for a lighter version
- Coconut aminos — soy-free and slightly sweeter than soy sauce, perfect here
- Fresh ginger — just ½ teaspoon makes a big difference in flavor
- Green cabbage — the star vegetable that gives this dish its hearty bulk
Is This Recipe Low Carb?
Yes! This ground beef and cabbage skillet is naturally low carb and keto friendly:
- Cabbage is very low in carbs
- No grains or starchy ingredients
- Coconut sugar can be swapped for a keto sweetener
- Coconut aminos is lower in carbs than regular soy sauce
Serve over cauliflower rice for a complete keto meal or over regular rice for a heartier non-low carb version!
Tips for the Best Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
- High heat is your friend — cook over medium-high to high heat for proper browning and stir fry texture
- Don’t overcrowd — brown the beef in a single layer for caramelization not steaming
- Slice cabbage thin — thinner slices cook faster and more evenly
- Don’t overcook the vegetables — 5-7 minutes keeps the cabbage slightly crisp which is perfect!
- Add vinegar last — adding apple cider vinegar off heat preserves its bright tang
- Drain excess fat — if using 80/20 beef drain most of the fat before adding spices
- Taste and adjust — add more coconut aminos for saltiness, more vinegar for tang, more chili powder for heat!
Variations
- Ground turkey version — swap beef for ground turkey for a lighter dish
- Spicy version — add sriracha or extra chili powder for heat
- Add noodles — toss in cooked rice noodles or ramen noodles for a heartier meal
- Add mushrooms — sliced mushrooms add incredible earthy umami
- Egg roll in a bowl — this dish is essentially a deconstructed egg roll! Add a drizzle of sriracha mayo on top
- Vegetarian version — swap beef for crumbled tofu or tempeh
What to Serve with Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
- White or brown rice — the classic pairing that soaks up all that incredible sauce
- Cauliflower rice — for a low carb keto version
- Rice noodles — toss directly into the skillet for a noodle bowl
- Lettuce wraps — spoon into butter lettuce cups for a fun appetizer style serving
- Alone — it’s hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own!
How to Store Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat adding a splash of soy sauce or water if needed, or microwave covered for 2 minutes.
Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Note that cabbage can become slightly softer after freezing but still tastes great!
Meal prep: This is an excellent meal prep recipe — make a full batch on Sunday and enjoy quick lunches all week over rice!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! Stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for the best results — adds a splash of soy sauce if needed to revive the moisture and flavor!
What can I serve with this? Cooked rice, cauliflower rice, or rice noodles all pair beautifully. It also stands alone as a complete hearty meal!
How can I make this vegetarian? Swap ground beef for crumbled firm tofu or tempeh. Press the tofu dry first for the best browning results!
Can I use red or savoy cabbage? Yes! Red cabbage adds beautiful color and savoy cabbage has a slightly milder flavor. Both work well — just note red cabbage will turn the whole dish purple!
What is coconut aminos? Coconut aminos is a soy-free sauce made from coconut sap. It has a similar flavor to soy sauce but slightly sweeter and less salty. Find it at most health food stores or on Amazon!
Is this recipe gluten free? Yes — as long as you use coconut aminos or certified gluten free tamari instead of regular soy sauce!
More Easy One Pan Recipes You’ll Love
Easy Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken
This ground beef and cabbage skillet proves that the best weeknight dinners don’t need to be complicated — just good ingredients, bold flavors, and one pan. Make it tonight and it’ll be in your regular rotation by next week!
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil: Used for sautéing, enhancing flavors with a slight fruity note.
- 1 pound ground beef: The protein foundation of the dish, adaptable to ground turkey or chicken for variety.
- 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger: Adds a spicy, warm undertone. Fresh ginger preferred, or substitute with 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Delivers a concentrated garlic flavor, easily replaced with one minced garlic clove.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Provides depth, substitute with 1/4 cup finely chopped onion if desired.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder: Adds mild heat, can be adjusted to taste or replaced with a pinch of cayenne.
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper: Boosts overall flavor with a slight kick.
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar: Balances the dish with a touch of sweetness; brown sugar can be used instead.
- 1/2 large head green cabbage, sliced: Supplies crunch and bulk, a vital veggie component.
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced: For sweetness and color, yellow or green peppers can be used as well.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Offers color and slight sweetness, an essential part of the vegetable mix.
- 3 green onions, chopped: Provides a fresh, slightly sharp flavor. Scallions can work if green onions not available.
- 3 tablespoons coconut aminos (or tamari/soy sauce): Adds umami; choose based on dietary preference (gluten-free or soy-free options).
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: Brings tanginess to balance the flavors, easily swapped with rice vinegar.
- Sesame seeds for garnish: Add texture and visual appeal; optional but recommended.
How to Make It
Step 1: Heat the Skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. The oil should shimmer when it’s ready, ensuring your beef sears correctly for an optimal, caramelized flavor.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Add the ground beef and minced ginger to the hot skillet. Break the meat apart with a spatula, cooking until most of the pink is gone—around 5 minutes. This step enhances the dish with the aromatic essence of ginger.
Step 3: Spice It Up
Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and coconut sugar into the skillet. Stir well, cooking for another minute until the spices release their fragrance, deepening the dish’s flavor profile.
Step 4: Combine the Vegetables
Add the cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, and green onions. Gently toss everything to blend. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly yet maintain some texture—a perfect contrast to the beef.
Step 5: Final Seasoning
Pour in the coconut aminos and stir well for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring everything is well-coated and the flavors meld together.
Step 6: Finish with Vinegar
Add apple cider vinegar, turn off the heat, and give the mix one last stir. This step cuts the richness and adds a gleaming finish to the dish.
Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet (One Pan!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil: Used for sautéing enhancing flavors with a slight fruity note.
- 1 pound ground beef: The protein foundation of the dish adaptable to ground turkey or chicken for variety.
- 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger: Adds a spicy warm undertone. Fresh ginger preferred, or substitute with 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Delivers a concentrated garlic flavor easily replaced with one minced garlic clove.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Provides depth substitute with 1/4 cup finely chopped onion if desired.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder: Adds mild heat can be adjusted to taste or replaced with a pinch of cayenne.
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper: Boosts overall flavor with a slight kick.
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar: Balances the dish with a touch of sweetness; brown sugar can be used instead.
- 1/2 large head green cabbage sliced: Supplies crunch and bulk, a vital veggie component.
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced: For sweetness and color, yellow or green peppers can be used as well.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Offers color and slight sweetness an essential part of the vegetable mix.
- 3 green onions chopped: Provides a fresh, slightly sharp flavor. Scallions can work if green onions not available.
- 3 tablespoons coconut aminos or tamari/soy sauce: Adds umami; choose based on dietary preference (gluten-free or soy-free options).
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: Brings tanginess to balance the flavors easily swapped with rice vinegar.
- Sesame seeds for garnish: Add texture and visual appeal; optional but recommended.
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. The oil should shimmer when it’s ready, ensuring your beef sears correctly for an optimal, caramelized flavor.Step 2: Cook the Beef
Add the ground beef and minced ginger to the hot skillet. Break the meat apart with a spatula, cooking until most of the pink is gone—around 5 minutes. This step enhances the dish with the aromatic essence of ginger.Step 3: Spice It Up
Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and coconut sugar into the skillet. Stir well, cooking for another minute until the spices release their fragrance, deepening the dish’s flavor profile.Step 4: Combine the Vegetables
Add the cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, and green onions. Gently toss everything to blend. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly yet maintain some texture—a perfect contrast to the beef.Step 5: Final Seasoning
Pour in the coconut aminos and stir well for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring everything is well-coated and the flavors meld together.Step 6: Finish with Vinegar
Add apple cider vinegar, turn off the heat, and give the mix one last stir. This step cuts the richness and adds a gleaming finish to the dish.