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Filthy Cabbage Recipe

Savory, buttery cabbage loaded with crispy seasoned ground beef or turkey, onions, garlic, and colorful bell peppers. The meat is cooked until deeply browned and caramelized before everything gets smothered together with tender cabbage and bold Cajun seasoning. Serve this Filthy Cabbage over rice or roasted sweet potatoes for an easy, flavor-packed dinner.

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • * 1 head cabbage
  • * 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • * ½ onion
  • * 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • * 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • * 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • * 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • * 1 tablespoon Knorr chicken bouillon
  • * ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • * 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • * 1 red bell pepper diced
  • * 1 yellow bell pepper diced
  • * 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

Instructions

  1. Add the onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, chicken bouillon, and cayenne pepper to a food processor. Blend until finely processed and well combined.
  2. Pour the seasoning mixture over the ground beef or turkey. Gently mix until evenly incorporated.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the seasoned ground meat. Spread and press it into an even layer across the bottom of the pan.
  5. Do not immediately break up or sauté the meat. Allow it to cook undisturbed until the bottom develops a deep brown, slightly crispy crust.
  6. Once the crust forms, begin breaking the meat apart and sauté until the remaining meat is browned and cooked through.
  7. Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
  8. Add the chopped cabbage and butter. Toss everything together as well as possible.
  9. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid.
  10. Cook for approximately 15 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage reaches your desired tenderness.
  11. Once the cabbage has cooked down, stir everything together thoroughly.
  12. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired. Add additional Cajun seasoning, chicken bouillon, or cayenne pepper if needed.
  13. Serve hot over rice or roasted sweet potatoes.
  14. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Recipe Notes

Ground beef or turkey: Either works. Ground beef provides a richer flavor, while ground turkey gives you a lighter option.

Don’t skip the crust: Allow the meat to cook undisturbed before breaking it apart. This creates caramelized, crispy edges that add a tremendous amount of flavor.

Cabbage: One whole head will look like a lot when it first goes into the skillet. Don’t worry. It cooks down significantly.

Seasoning: Wait until the cabbage has cooked down before adding a lot of extra Cajun seasoning or bouillon. The flavors become more concentrated as the cabbage loses volume.

Liquid: You shouldn’t need to add broth or water. The cabbage and vegetables naturally release moisture as they cook.

Cooking time: Cook the cabbage for approximately 15 to 25 minutes depending on your preferred texture.

Spice level: Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper for a milder dish.

Serving: White rice is the obvious choice, but roasted sweet potatoes add an incredible sweet-and-savory contrast.