Ground Beef with Cabbage | Elizabeth Rider

If you want a quick, healthy, high-protein + high-fiber, budget-friendly meal, ground beef with cabbage is hard to beat!

This recipe is high in protein (around 30g per serving!), high in fiber, made with just 5 main ingredients, and comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for dinner on busy weeknights and costs around $10 to make (or $15 if you need to grab sauerkraut).

This dish has roots in my mom’s German-inspired cooking and is a simplified take on her famous “Kraut Balls,” which is basically a dinner roll stuffed with ground beef, sauerkraut, and cabbage. By skipping the dough, this version becomes a weeknight-friendly dinner or great meal prep meal.

The combination of savory beef with the texture of gently cooked cabbage makes for a satisfying meal. I also add sauerkraut for extra flavor and tang (and you do get some probiotics there!) and a dash of tamari to deepen the umami flavor. I give you tons of ideas for substitutions and variations below as well—I encourage you to make this ground beef and cabbage recipe your own!

Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Serves: 4 regular servings or 3 extra-large servings

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound (16 ounces) ground beef (grass-fed 90/10 preferred)
• 1 (12 oz) bag shredded cabbage mix (or about 4 cups)
• 3 tablespoons sauerkraut, plus an extra tablespoon of the brine
• 2 tablespoons tamari (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• ¼ teaspoons fine-grain sea salt
• 5–6 grinds of freshly cracked black pepper
• optional: 1-2 cloves fresh garlic, grated

How to Make It:

1. Cook the Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the thinly sliced onions until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Push the onions to the side or remove them from the pan.
2. Cook the Beef: Increase the heat to high and add the ground beef. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and let it sear for 1–2 minutes without stirring. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned, about 7–10 minutes. Add the onions back and stir to combine.
3. Add the Cabbage & Saurerkraut: Add the shredded cabbage, sauerkraut with brine, tamari, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
4. Cook Down, Then Serve: Lower the heat to medium and let the cabbage cook down, stirring occasionally, for 10–15 minutes, depending on your texture preference. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve warm.

See the full details in the printable recipe card below.

Is Beef a Healthy Food?

Yes! When it’s minimally processed and high-quality, beef can absolutely be part of a healthy diet. Grass-fed beef is packed with protein, iron, and B12—essential nutrients that help your body thrive. Studies that question the healthiness of red meat often include highly processed versions, like fast-food patties or preservative-filled sausages.

By contrast, minimally processed beef, like ground beef in this recipe or my Perfect Flank Steak recipe, is nutrient-dense and satisfying. I recommend grass-fed 90/10 ground beef, which provides great flavor, a hefty dose of protein (around 30g in a 4-ounce serving!), and a healthy balance of fats. And while you don’t need to eat beef every day, enjoying it a few times a week or month can support your health without compromising on taste.

Tips & Variations

1. Add a few cloves garlic (grated or pressed) when the beef is almost done cooking for extra flavor. Garlic burns easily, so add it towards the end and keep it moving in the pan to prevent burining.
2. For added vegetables, include diced carrots or red bell pepper.
3. Substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
4. Stir in diced tomatoes for a slightly saucier version.
5. For extra richness, use beef broth to deglaze the pan before adding the cabbage.
6. Serve with cauliflower rice, white rice, or soba noodles for a more filling meal.
7. For meal prep, divide leftovers into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to two days or the freezer for up to two months.
8. Experiment with recipe variations by adding sweet potatoes, fresh ginger, or parsley.
9. For paleo or gluten-free diets, ensure the tamari or soy sauce is compliant. Coconut aminos is a great alternative.
10. This dish can also be made in an Instant Pot or Dutch oven; use what pan works best for you.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley or Italian seasoning to make this more of a Mediterranean route.
12. Adjust nutrition facts based on your choice of ground beef and additional ingredients, and check daily values to align with your dietary needs.

Enjoy this flavorful and versatile recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners or as part of a meal prep rotation! If you try it, leave a comment—I’d love to hear how it turned out.

You can also find more beef recipes here, and dinner ideas here.

Print