Dirty Cabbage Skillet is a hearty Southern one-pan meal combining ground beef, smoked sausage, and tender cabbage seasoned with Cajun spices. It's budget-friendly, comes together in one skillet, and delivers bold flavors in under 30 minutes.
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Slice the smoked sausage into rounds.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned on both sides.
Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned.
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Season the mixture with Cajun seasoning, paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine.
Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and stir to incorporate it with the meat and vegetable mixture.
Pour in the beef broth, then return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir everything together.
Bring to a simmer and cook until the cabbage has wilted and is tender to your liking.
Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat with an extra splash of broth if needed. Freezes well for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Yes. Prepare the dish completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Use andouille sausage for similar Cajun flavor, or swap for spicy Italian sausage, kielbasa, or an extra 1 lb of ground beef if avoiding sausage entirely.
Simmer until the cabbage is wilted and tender but not mushy, typically 8–12 minutes depending on chop size. It should be soft enough to cut easily with a fork.
Yes. Double all ingredients and use a larger skillet or Dutch oven. Increase the simmering time slightly to ensure the cabbage cooks through evenly.
Check your Cajun seasoning blend and tomato paste labels; most are gluten-free. Confirm ground beef and sausage contain no fillers, and use gluten-free beef broth if needed.
