Savory Irish Ground Beef and Cabbage (Print Version)
Hearty ground beef and tender cabbage simmered with classic Irish seasonings in a skillet. 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 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - ½ tsp caraway seeds (optional, for authentic flavor)
11 - ½ tsp paprika
12 - ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
→ Liquids
13 - ¼ cup low-sodium beef broth (or water)
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, carrots, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until onions are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in 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 cabbage begins to wilt.
04 - Pour in beef broth. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 7–8 minutes until cabbage is tender but not mushy.
05 - Uncover and cook for another 2–3 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate and flavors meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
06 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot while flavors are at their peak.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything happens in one skillet so cleanup takes about thirty seconds
- The cabbage becomes sweet and tender in a way that even vegetable skeptics somehow find irresistible
- It's the kind of meal that leaves you satisfied without that heavy, overstuffed feeling
02 -
- Overcrowding the pan when you add the cabbage will make it steam instead of sauté, so give it a minute between additions if your skillet is on the smaller side
- The caraway seeds become more potent as they cook, so start with less if you are unsure about that distinctive flavor
03 -
- Cut your cabbage into uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same rate
- Season gradually at each stage rather than dumping everything in at once