Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet
This ground beef taco cabbage skillet is one of those meals that quietly becomes a regular in your kitchen without much effort.
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Can Opener
- Grater (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 –4 cups green cabbage shredded
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 –2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder optional, for heat
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup beef broth or water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional, for topping
- Fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the ground beef
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, letting it brown evenly.
- Cook for about 5–7 minutes until no pink remains. If there’s excess grease, carefully drain it off so the skillet doesn’t feel too heavy later.
- Pro tip: Let the beef sit for a minute or two before stirring too much at the start—this helps it develop a deeper, richer flavor instead of steaming.
Step 2: Add onions and garlic
- Add the chopped onion directly into the cooked beef. Stir and cook for about 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and turns slightly translucent.
- Next, add the minced garlic and stir quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pro tip: Don’t let the garlic sit too long on high heat—it can burn fast and turn bitter, so keep things moving here.
Step 3: Build the flavor base
- Stir in the tomato paste, taco seasoning, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix everything well so the beef is fully coated in the spices. Let it cook for about 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add the diced tomatoes and beef broth, then stir again until everything is combined into a slightly saucy mixture.
Step 4: Add the cabbage
- Add the shredded cabbage in batches, stirring as it wilts down into the skillet. It may look like a lot at first, but it reduces quickly as it cooks.
- Let it simmer for about 6–8 minutes until the cabbage becomes tender but still has a slight bite.
- Pro tip: Cover the skillet for a few minutes if you want the cabbage to soften faster while locking in moisture and flavor.
Step 5: Finish and melt the flavors together
- Once the cabbage is cooked to your liking, give everything a final stir and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top if using, then cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully.
- Serve hot straight from the pan for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 320–380 kcal
- Protein: 22–28g
- Carbohydrates: 10–14g
- Fat: 18–24g
- Fiber: 3–5g
- Sugar: 4–6g
- Sodium: Varies depending on taco seasoning and broth used
- Cholesterol: 60–85mg