Savory Irish Ground Beef Cabbage (Printable version)
A comforting skillet meal with ground beef, tender cabbage, and classic Irish seasonings ready in 30 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pantry & Seasonings
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tsp salt
08 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp caraway seeds (optional, for authentic flavor)
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika
12 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
→ Liquids
13 - 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth (or water)
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the diced onion, carrots, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until the onions are softened.
03 - Stir in the chopped cabbage. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, caraway seeds (if using), paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt.
04 - Add the beef broth. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 7–8 minutes until the cabbage is tender but not mushy.
05 - Uncover, stir, and cook for another 2–3 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate and flavors meld.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the kind of dinner that makes your whole house feel warm and cozy in under 30 minutes
- The cabbage gets sweet and tender while soaking up all those savory beef flavors
02 -
- Dont skip the caraway seeds if you can help it, theyre what makes this distinctly Irish
- The cabbage should be tender, not mushy, so keep an eye on it during the final cooking stage
03 -
- Dont rush the browning step on the beef, those caramelized bits add incredible depth
- If the cabbage seems too dry before adding broth, add another splash of liquid