Oh, you know those nights, right? When the clock strikes six, you feel like you haven’t eaten all day, and the thought of pulling out a dozen pots and pans for dinner just sends you straight to ordering takeout? I live for those moments when I can pull something hearty and delicious out of a single skillet in under 30 minutes. Trust me, I have a few go-to meals, but this one is hands-down my lifeline during the busiest parts of the week.
Forget complicated layering or long simmering times; this is honestly the simplest, most flavorful way to make my **How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time** recipe. It uses such basic pantry staples, but the combination of thyme and savory beef broth somehow makes it taste like comfort food central. If you need a reliable weeknight wonder, stick with me!
When things get completely hectic, I always turn to my big list of quick dinner ideas for busy weeknights, and this cabbage skillet always tops the list. You won’t regret trying this method!
Why This How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time Works (E-E-A-T)
You might be wondering what makes this simple dinner stand out from all the other stir-fries out there. Honestly, it’s the combination of speed and flavor that keeps me coming back! We’re talking about a total time investment of about 30 minutes, most of which is hands-off simmering time. It proves you don’t need fancy techniques to get an amazing dinner on the table.
We rely almost entirely on pantry staples here—ground beef, broth, a few dried spices—which means fewer emergency grocery runs for me! It’s this reliability and straightforward magic that makes my **How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time** such a trusted favorite. For more tips on minimal cleanup, check out my favorites for one-pan easy dinner recipes!
Quick Prep for Your How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
The real secret to staying under that 30-minute mark is being ready to go *before* the heat comes on. I always time my vegetable prep for right at 10 minutes. Get that medium onion chopped up—don’t worry about it being perfectly tiny, because it’s going to soften anyway. Then, shred up your cabbage. I usually grab a head and just slice it thin enough to fit easily into the skillet.
Having everything chopped and the spices measured out on the counter means the cooking process is just a fast assembly line. Once the beef is browned, everything else just goes right in. Honestly, never start cooking until your vegetables are diced!
Essential Ingredients for How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
You only need one big list for this dinner, thank goodness! It’s all about using standard things I usually have on hand, which is why this recipe is such a hero when I’m in a pinch. If you see me scrambling for dinner ideas, it’s usually because I have these things staring back at me from the fridge and pantry.
For the Skillet, here’s what you need to gather. Always make sure you have quality ingredients here; it really shines through when you’re only using a few flavor components. That’s my expert tip for making any **How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time** fantastic—don’t skimp on the beef or the broth!
- 1 lb Ground beef (I always go for 80/20 because the little bit of extra fat keeps everything juicy!)
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 3 cups Cabbage, shredded (I prefer shredding it thinner than what you buy bagged, if you can!)
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
If you’re looking for more ways to use up those ground beef staples, you should peek at my other ground beef recipes for busy weeknights. They follow the same easy philosophy!
Step-by-Step Instructions for How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
Okay, now for the action! This is where the magic happens quickly, and keeping your eye on the clock helps you nail the timing. We use one big, trusty skillet for everything, which is exactly what I love about this meal. Since we’ve already done our 10 minutes of setup, we can move fast here. If you’re looking for a foolproof guide to easy cooking in general, always check out my tips on how to make easy dinner recipes foolproof!
Browning the Beef and Sautéing Aromatics
First things first: medium heat on your large skillet. Get that ground beef and your chopped onion in there right away. Now, this is important—you need to use your spatula to break that beef up into tiny, happy little crumbles as it cooks. Nobody wants giant chunks! Keep breaking it down until the meat is totally browned and those onions are nice and soft, smelling sweet in the pan. When it’s done, take a minute to carefully drain off any grease that collected at the bottom. Trust me, you don’t want that floating on top of your finished dinner!
Wilting the Cabbage in How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
Once the pan is clean of excess grease, toss in your shredded cabbage. Add the dried thyme, salt, and pepper right on top. Give everything a good stir to coat the veggies with the beefy bits and spices. Now, we just need to wilt this down a bit. Cook this mixture, stirring every now and then, for about 5 minutes. You’ll see the cabbage start to shrink a little and soften around the edges. It shouldn’t be mushy yet, just starting to give way.
Simmering for Tenderness
Time for the flavoring liquids! Pour in your cup of beef broth and that tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Stir it around so everything gets wet. Bring that mixture up to a gentle simmer—you should see little bubbles popping all around the edges. Once it’s simmering, immediately drop the heat down to low. Put the lid on tight and let it hang out for 10 to 12 minutes. This is where the cabbage gets tender. If you like it firm, go closer to 10 minutes. If you like it really soft and fork-tender, push it toward 12. After the simmering time, take the lid off and let it bubble for 2 more minutes if you think there’s too much liquid swimming around. Serve it hot!
Expert Tips for the Best How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
I’ve made this skillet dish so many times that I’ve developed a few little tricks that just take it from good to, well, perfect every time! These little details are what turn a standard ground beef dinner into something you actually look forward to serving.
First off, let’s talk about browning that beef. I mentioned draining the fat, which is essential if you use 80/20, but you need to spend quality time getting dark color on the meat *before* you add the onions, or at least before you add the liquid. If you just cook it until it turns gray, you leave so much flavor behind! Get those little pieces nicely browned and crusty—that deep flavor is critical for carrying the simple spices later on. For more ideas on what truly makes an easy dinner shine, check out my guide on what makes perfect easy dinner recipes work so well.
Remember I mentioned in the notes that you can play around with the liquids? If you want a deeper, saltier, more savory punch than traditional Worcestershire alone, toss in a splash of soy sauce along with the beef broth. It’s a total game-changer for adding depth without having to add extra cooking time. Seriously, try just one tablespoon next time!
I have to tell you, this recipe recently saved me last Tuesday. I got home late from an appointment, the fridge looked sad, and I was ready to give up and order pizza. But I had the staples for this skillet meal ready to go. In 30 minutes flat, I had hot, steaming, flavorful food on the table, which meant we ate together instead of everyone grabbing snacks. That’s the true power of mastering your **How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time**!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Skillet Dinner
I know sometimes you open the pantry and you’re just one can or one package short of what a recipe calls for. Don’t panic! Because simplicity is the name of the game with this meal, we have a few easy swaps you can make in a pinch without sabotaging the whole thing.
Let’s talk beef fat content first. If you find yourself with only really lean ground beef, like 93/7, that’s totally fine, but you might notice the final dish is a little drier because we rely on that fat for carrying flavor during the initial cook. If that’s all you have, just add an extra tablespoon of oil when you start, or slightly reduce the simmering time by about two minutes. If you happen to have fattier beef, like 85/15, that’s great, but make absolutely sure you drain that grease thoroughly after browning!
The beef broth is also flexible. If you don’t have a cup of broth on hand, don’t run to the store! You can easily create your own savory liquid. Just use one cup of hot water and stir in one teaspoon of a good quality beef bouillon powder or a bouillon cube. It dissolves fast and gives you that deep, meaty background flavor we need to balance the cabbage.
Also, thyme—it’s a classic pairing here, but if you’re out? Dried oregano works surprisingly well as a close second, even though it gives it a slightly different aromatic profile. And for a little extra zing, sometimes I throw in half a teaspoon of dried marjoram along with the thyme. These little adjustments are what turn a single recipe into a versatile staple in my rotation. If you’re looking for even more meals built around super limited supplies, you absolutely have to check out my 5-ingredient easy dinner recipes collection.
Serving Suggestions for How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
Since this meal is already a complete powerhouse on its own—meat, veggies, savory broth—the best side dishes are the ones that require zero extra cooking, or maybe just a quick trip to the toaster!
The goal here is texture contrast. You’ve got soft, tender cabbage and ground beef, so you need something with a little crunch or something sturdy to scoop up all those flavorful juices left in the bottom of the skillet. Seriously, those little bits of browned beef and reduced broth are liquid gold, and I hate to waste a single drop!
My absolute favorite thing to serve alongside this skillet dinner is a big piece of crusty bread. I’m not talking about soft sandwich bread—I mean something with a real, substantial crust that can stand up to dipping. If you make a loaf yourself, you should look at my thoughts on making a fresh Italian bread, but honestly, any good bakery loaf works wonders.
If you’re trying to keep things lighter or maybe looking for something green for balance, keep that side dish super simple. A quick tossed salad with a bright, acidic vinaigrette is perfect. The acidity of the dressing cuts right through the richness of the ground beef so nicely. Just whatever you choose, keep it fast—we’re aiming for a 30-minute meal here, remember?
Storing and Reheating Your How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
One of the best things about this **How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time** is that it tastes just as good, maybe even *better*, the next day once all those thyme and broth flavors have had a chance to really mingle overnight. I always make sure I have leftovers because lunch the next day is practically solved!
When putting it away, make sure you let any hot leftovers cool down *slightly* on the counter—don’t rush them straight into the fridge hot, that’s bad news for food safety! Once they are just warm, scoop the leftovers into a shallow, airtight container. This helps them cool down quickly and evenly. Stored properly in the fridge, this skillet meal is fantastic for up to three days. It’s just so sturdy; unlike delicate pasta dishes, the cabbage holds its structure really well!
Now for reheating, I actually have two preferred methods, depending on how much time I have or how much I’m eating. If I’m just warming up a single plate, the microwave is the fastest way to go. Just pop it in for a minute or two until it’s steaming hot all the way through. I usually cover it loosely with a paper towel to catch any splatters.
But if I’m feeling fancy, or if I’m reheating a larger batch, I always go back to the stovetop. Put the leftovers back into your large skillet over medium-low heat. This gentle heat revives the texture better than the microwave does. You might need to add just a tiny splash of water or extra broth—maybe a tablespoon—because some of that liquid gets absorbed overnight. Cover it loosely and let it warm up for about five to seven minutes. It brings back that perfect, steamed tenderness that makes this dish so good. It’s one of those satisfying meals you can always count on, similar to the hearty comfort you get from my favorite quick, easy family dinners!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Ground Beef and Cabbage Dish
I get so many questions whenever I post this skillet dinner on social media! People always want assurances that something this easy can actually be delicious, or they want to know how they can tweak it for their specific needs. Here are a few of the most common things folks ask me about this **healthy skillet dinner**.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely, you can swap it out! Ground turkey or even ground chicken works just fine here. Since poultry tends to be much leaner than the 80/20 beef I recommend, you’ll want to be more mindful when draining the fat, or better yet, skip the draining step entirely if you used very lean ground meat. If you do end up draining off a lot of liquid, just remember to add an extra tablespoon of broth or water when you get to the simmering stage so your cabbage doesn’t dry out while it cooks. It’s a wonderfully easy substitution!
How do I make this How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time spicy?
Oh, I love a little kick! If you want to turn this comfort dish into more of a **ground beef cabbage stir fry** with some heat, you have a couple of fantastic, easy options. The easiest way is to add a good pinch—maybe half a teaspoon—of red pepper flakes right in with your dried thyme during Step 2 when you wilt the cabbage. Alternatively, you can add a dash of your favorite hot sauce directly into the skillet when you add the Worcestershire sauce in Step 3. That hot sauce mixes beautifully with the savory broth base. Just remember, start small; you can always add more heat later, but you can’t take it out!
Another excellent question I often get is about making this dish truly low-carb. Since we are skipping rice or noodles, this is already a great low-carb option! If you wanted to bulk it up with more vegetables while staying low-carb, you could easily swap out one of the cups of shredded cabbage for an equal amount of chopped cauliflower florets. I have another whole recipe based on that idea since I love using cauliflower as a filler when I can, documented over in my ground beef cauliflower skillet post, but it works perfectly in here too!
Share Your Success with How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time
Now that you’ve got your skillet hot and ready to go, I truly want to hear all about it! Cooking should always be a conversation, and nothing makes me happier than knowing someone else in the world survived a crazy Tuesday night because of this recipe.
When you try out my **How I Get Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner Recipe Perfect Every Time**, please don’t be shy! Jump down to the comments section below and tell me what you thought. Did your cabbage wilt exactly how you like it? Did you sneak in some secret spice? Star ratings help other busy cooks know this recipe is a winner, so please give it a quick rating!
And if you snapped a picture—and I hope you did, because this dish actually looks gorgeous when plated up with some fresh bread—please share it with me! Tag me on social media. Seeing your versions of the meal in your own kitchen is the best feedback I could ever ask for. It keeps me motivated to keep sharing all my favorite quick fixes and reliable family favorites. You can always find me heading over to my main food blog for more inspiration if you need another weeknight hero!
Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the shredded cabbage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt slightly.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender to your liking.
- Remove the lid and cook for another 2 minutes if there is too much liquid remaining. Serve hot.
