I've been seeing this dirty cabbage recipe on my social media feed and had to make my version of it. I made this on a busy weeknight and it's basically a one pot dump and simmer situation, which is the best kind of recipe, and my kitchen smells like a Louisiana kitchen.
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What is Dirty Cabbage?
This dirty cabbage recipe takes the same savory, cajun flavors as classic dirty rice and swaps it with tender braised cabbage. You still get all that deep, smoky flavor, but the cabbage soaks up the sauce and turns so tender. Serve it over rice and you've just made the most delicious dinner.
Why You'll Love This Dirty Cabbage Recipe
- One Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot so cleanup is a breeze.
- Big Bold Flavor: Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, worcestershire sauce, and a splash of soy sauce make this dirty cabbage taste like it simmered all day.
- Sneaky Veggie Win: A whole head of cabbage cooks down into something so good that everyone will have seconds.
Ingredients for Dirty Cabbage Recipe
- Ground Beef: Aim for lean ground beef (90% and above) but if you can't find it, you can use less lean ground beef, just drain the oil first.
- Hot Italian Sausage
- Garlic
- White Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Tomato Paste
- Cajun Seasoning: The backbone of the flavor here, so don't be shy with it.
- Smoked Paprika
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Soy Sauce: My twist to add a savory depth that rounds out the cajun spices.
- Chicken Broth: Low sodium keeps you in control of the final seasoning.
- Corn Starch
- Green Cabbage
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- White Rice: For serving underneath all that saucy goodness.
Customizations
- Swap the Protein: Ground turkey or ground chicken works great if you want something lighter.
- Turn Up the Heat: Add a diced jalapeno or a few dashes of hot sauce if you like extra spice.
- Add Some Crunch: A handful of sliced green onions or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper on top adds a nice finishing touch.
How to Make this Dirty Cabbage Recipe
Step 1: In a large pot, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks.
Step 2: Add the garlic, onion, and bell pepper, then saute for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste, cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, chicken broth, and corn starch slurry, then bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Add the sliced cabbage and simmer for 16-20 minutes until tender, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Serve the dirty cabbage hot over cooked white rice.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. This dirty cabbage recipe also freezes well for up to 3 months, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this without sausage?
Yes, you can use all ground beef, but the Italian sausage adds a lot of the signature flavor, so you may want to bump up the cajun seasoning if you skip it.
What can I substitute for green cabbage?
Napa cabbage or savoy cabbage both work well for this dirty cabbage recipe and will give you a slightly more tender texture.
Why does this recipe use soy sauce if it's cajun inspired?
I think a small splash of soy sauce adds an extra layer of savory depth that plays really well with the worcestershire sauce and cajun seasoning, even though it's not traditionally cajun.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until hot.
Related Recipes You'll Love
- Marry Me Melting Cabbage
- Garlic Butter Melting Cabbage
- Napa Cabbage Rolls
- Chinese Cabbage Stir-Fry with Garlic
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Dirty Cabbage Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 90% or leaner
- 1 pound hot Italian sausage casing removed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 white onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1.25 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1.5 teaspoon corn starch + 2 tablespoon water to make a corn starch slurry
- 1 green cabbage core removed and cut into thin slices or cubes
- ¾ teaspoon salt adjust to your taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks.1 pound ground beef, 1 pound hot Italian sausage
- Add the garlic, onion, and bell pepper, then saute for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.4 cloves garlic, 1 white onion, 1 green bell pepper
- Stir in the tomato paste, cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, chicken broth, and corn starch slurry, then bring to a simmer.3 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 Tbsp cajun seasoning, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce, 1.25 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1.5 tsp corn starch + 2 tablespoon water, 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Add the sliced cabbage and simmer for 16-20 minutes until tender, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.1 green cabbage, ¾ tsp salt, Freshly cracked black pepper
- Serve hot over cooked white rice.Cooked white rice
Notes
- Don't Rush the Browning: Letting the meat get some color adds way more flavor than just cooking it through.
- Slice the Cabbage Thin: Thinner slices cook faster and soak up more sauce. You can also cut them into cubes if you'd like.
- Taste Before You Salt: The sausage, soy sauce, and cajun seasoning already bring plenty of salt, so adjust at the end.
