Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet dinner solves busy weeknight meals. After making this many times, I know the secret to perfect texture. Crispy and savory, this dish is a favorite. Try it with my Carrot Cake Roll for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Frosting and Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies with Creamy Cheesecake Frosting.
Why This Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- 20-minute recipe
- Crispy texture
- Flavorful
- Perfect for leftovers
What You'll Need for Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small head cabbage, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Lime wedges
- Optional: Cilantro
- Optional: Sour cream
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor.
- Cabbage: Shred cabbage thinly for even cooking.
- Taco seasoning: Use store-bought or make your own.
- Diced tomatoes: Drain well to avoid excess moisture.
- Lime: Add just before serving for freshness.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
- Cabbage shredder — Makes shredding cabbage fast and even → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add onions and garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add cabbage and seasonings: Add chopped cabbage, taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in drained diced tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve: Serve hot. Top with cheese, lime, and cilantro if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
- Cooking technique: Use a non-stick pan to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
- Common mistake and fix: Cabbage can become soggy if overcooked. Cook on medium heat and stir frequently.
- Flavor enhancement: Add a splash of lime juice before serving to brighten the flavors.
- Substitution: Use shredded Brussels sprouts as a substitute for cabbage if needed.
Storing & Reheating Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
Freezing Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a splash of beef broth while cooking.
- Best substitution: If you don't have taco seasoning, mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated without losing flavor.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger meal or to have leftovers.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, cook on medium heat for a few more minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat thermometer — Ensures meat is cooked to the right temperature → Check price on Amazon
Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small head cabbage, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Lime wedges
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add onions and garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add cabbage and seasonings: Add chopped cabbage, taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in drained diced tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve: Serve hot. Top with cheese, lime, and cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a splash of beef broth while cooking.
- Best substitution: If you don't have taco seasoning, mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated without losing flavor.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger meal or to have leftovers.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, cook on medium heat for a few more minutes to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
Cabbage can become soggy if overcooked. Cook on medium heat and stir frequently. Avoid adding too much moisture.
Yes, this dish freezes well. Store in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
While this recipe is best cooked on the stove, you can try using the air fryer for a crispy finish. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.
You can use ground turkey or lentils as a substitute. Adjust seasonings to match the flavor you prefer.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
