This Amish ground beef and cabbage skillet is a simple, one-pot dinner made with budget-friendly ingredients and ready in about 30 minutes. It combines tender green cabbage, seasoned ground beef, onion, and tomatoes into a cozy, wholesome meal that stretches a single pound of meat into a full family dinner.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
🕒 Ready In: ~30 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 servings
🍽 Calories: ~330 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground beef, green cabbage, onion, diced tomatoes
📖 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free and low-carb
👌 Difficulty: Easy - one-pot cooking with minimal prep and cleanup
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If you're looking for an easy weeknight recipe using ground beef and cabbage, or you want a classic Amish-style skillet meal that cooks all in one pan, this version is naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and perfect for quick meal prep. It's the kind of comforting, straightforward recipe you can rely on anytime you need something filling with very little effort.
If you love healthy one-pot meals you can also try recipes like our Cheeseburger Soup, Shrimp Stir Fry, or Creamy Chicken Zucchini Noodles for quick and easy weeknight dinners.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love this Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage FAQs:
- More Beef Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage
Why You'll Love this Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage:
One-pan convenience: Everything cooks in a single skillet for easy prep and minimal cleanup.
Budget-friendly: Made with simple, affordable ingredients, perfect for feeding a family or stretching ground beef.
Naturally low carb and gluten-free: A great option for clean, simple eating with no need for grains or fillers.
Flavorful and filling: The mix of savory beef, tender cabbage, and tomatoes creates a hearty, comforting dish.
Great for meal prep: Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.
Key Ingredients:
- ground beef: Use 85/15 or 90/10 for the best balance of flavor and minimal grease. Drain excess fat after browning if needed.
- yellow onion: Diced and sautéed with the beef to create a sweet and savory base.
- cabbage: Green cabbage works best; shred it thinly so it wilts down and becomes tender during simmering.
- diced tomatoes: Use canned tomatoes with their juices for moisture and a slightly tangy base, fire-roasted tomatoes also work well.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Swap the Ground Beef: Use ground turkey or pork with the same seasoning blend. For a richer flavor, try half beef and half sausage.
- No-Tomato Option: Replace the diced tomatoes with beef broth for a milder cabbage skillet.
- Make It Spicy: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a spoonful of chili paste for heat.
- Extra Veggies: Mix in sliced carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini when you add the cabbage to boost volume and color.
- Cheesy Skillet: Stir in shredded cheddar or mozzarella at the end and let it melt for a creamy, comfort-food version of this ground beef and cabbage skillet.
How to Make Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage:
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes.
- Step 2: Cook for 7-8 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until browned and the onions are soft.
- Step 3: Stir in the shredded cabbage and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot as a main dish on its own or with rice or potatoes.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Slice cabbage evenly: Thin, uniform shreds cook down faster and more evenly.
- Simmer covered: Keeping the skillet covered helps the cabbage soften and allows the flavors to meld.
- Stir occasionally: This prevents sticking and ensures the cabbage cooks evenly throughout.
- Customize the flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Use what you have: Ground turkey or chicken can be swapped for beef, and chopped bell pepper or carrots can be added with the onions for extra veggies.
- Leftovers reheat well: This dish is even more flavorful the next day, perfect for make-ahead meals.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Let the dish cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if it needs moisture.
Freezer: Freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage FAQs:
Yes, you can make ground beef and cabbage without tomatoes. Replace the tomatoes with beef broth to create a savory, broth-based Amish-style ground beef and cabbage skillet. This variation cooks the same way and still produces a flavorful, one-pot dinner.
Amish ground beef and cabbage typically uses simple pantry ingredients, ground beef, cabbage, onion, and tomatoes, and cooks everything in one skillet for an easy, budget-friendly meal. The Amish-style version leans on straightforward seasoning and a tomato-based sauce, making it slightly sweeter and more comforting than many other ground beef and cabbage recipes.
Ground beef and cabbage is considered a healthy, balanced meal because it's naturally low-carb, high in protein, and made with whole-food ingredients. Amish ground beef and cabbage skillet keeps the recipe simple and nutrient-dense by using fresh cabbage, lean ground beef, and tomatoes without added sugars.
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Amish Ground Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes. Cook for 7-8 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until browned and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the shredded cabbage and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and the flavors are well combined.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot as a main dish on its own or with rice or potatoes.
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- Slice cabbage evenly: Thin, uniform shreds cook down faster and more evenly.
- Simmer covered: Keeping the skillet covered helps the cabbage soften and allows the flavors to meld.
- Stir occasionally: This prevents sticking and ensures the cabbage cooks evenly throughout.
- Customize the flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Use what you have: Ground turkey or chicken can be swapped for beef, and chopped bell pepper or carrots can be added with the onions for extra veggies.
- Leftovers reheat well: This dish is even more flavorful the next day, perfect for make-ahead meals.
Lynn says
Was a bit more heavy handed with the spices- absolutely delicious! Nice texture, wonderful flavor. We ate it with tortilla chips on the side..definitely a keeper
Rebecca says
Can you add Italian sweet ground sausage?
Roché Woodworth says
Can’t see why not!:) I might try it that way next time I make it
Shannon W says
I love it! This was what happened, happy accident yet amazing turnout! I went to add the 2nd round of canned tomatoes, it was with chilies (unfortunately it’s for my Grandma and spice is not to her liking)
My attempt to Dr.ing it up I added 1/4 of powdered sugar one can of tomato soup with one can of water. It’s to me tastes perfect!! Mine is definitely more of a stew! I think some rice added to the bowl would go well! For now I fried some bread dough and it’s perfect on this wet rainy day!! Thank you for this simple and very tasty recipe!! Sharing with my cabbage fans!!
Shannon says
Well should have spell checked before submitting !
1/4 cup of sugar
It to me tastes perfect! (Is the correct intended sentence
Colleen says
This meal is perfect and both my sisters love it
Alicia says
We are eating this dish now!! So good!!!! It’s a keeper!!
Brittany says
I’m eating Paleo right now, and this meal was the perfect meal, even by itself! And it took minimal effort 👌
Lisa Brown says
I threw in some egg noodles, nice variation for cabbage and noodles
Quick and easy!
Yvonne says
Easy and delicious! Always makes enough for two meals - it’s a win win for me!