This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Jump to Section
My Ground Beef & Cabbage is So Good!
This ground beef and cabbage is like a deconstructed version of malfouf, which is Lebanese stuffed cabbage made with spiced ground beef, onions, and short grain rice. As much as I love that recipe and my kids go crazy when I make it, it’s a labor of love! I find that this version has the essence of malfouf, but is done in one skillet and ready in under 30 minutes.
I like that this ground beef and cabbage is a high-protein meal that you can eat on its own or with a little yogurt on top. To make it taste like the traditional Lebanese stuffed cabbage, I serve it over cooked basmati rice for my family, and it gives me all the nostalgic feels! Let me know if you feel the same once you try it and if you’ve had malfouf!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil: You can use another high-heat cooking oil if that’s what you have!
- Garlic and onion: I prefer yellow or white onion for this recipe. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can substitute 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder and add it with the rest of the spices.
- Ground beef: I like to use 80% lean ground beef, which isn’t too fatty! You could also try ground chicken or turkey.
- Spices: I always add cumin, 7 spice, sumac, salt, and pepper to this recipe. The one spice that might be harder to find is 7 spice, which is a traditional Levantine spice blend. I usually make my own 7 spice seasoning, but you could substitute cinnamon or allspice.
- Green cabbage: Make sure to core the cabbage before chopping it! If you need help use my tutorial on how to cut cabbage.
- Lemon: A lemon usually has 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice in it if you’re looking to substitute bottled or pre-squeezed lemon juice.
- Parsley: You can’t not top this ground beef and cabbage with fresh, chopped herbs. I love parsley, but you could also try cilantro or dill.
Popular Additions
- Add chopped tomato. Try mixing in 1 or 2 chopped tomatoes during the last 5 minutes of cooking. I especially love doing this during the summer, when tomatoes taste the best.
- Add a little heat! I recommend a chopped chili pepper or a pinch or two of cayenne chili.
- Top the ground beef and cabbage with toasted pine nuts or walnuts. This just adds another layer or flavor and texture.
- Top with crumbled feta. I love the salty pop this adds!
How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage
My Best Ground Beef and Cabbage Tips
- Watch the garlic closely. Garlic burns fast—and can totally ruin the flavor of this recipe. Once you add it, I recommend stirring it often until fragrant and then adding the ground beef.
- Make sure to break up the beef into small pieces. This will help it cook quickly and brown! I often use a wooden spoon, but a potato masher works really well and can be faster, too.
- Make sure to choose a skillet with a lid. This will make it easier to steam the cabbage! It’s not fun to have to scramble to find a lid or use a sheet pan to cover the skillet.
- Check the cabbage a couple of times when cooking. If you notice anything’s sticking or burning, add a little water (just a couple of tablespoons!).
Serving Ideas
Recipe Help & FAQs
Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, it’ll keep for up to 3 days! You can reheat it in a skillet on low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
Because this recipe isn’t stuffed cabbage, it’s more forgiving! You could use any type (green, red, savoy), but I prefer green cabbage.
You can, but the recipe wouldn’t be the same! I prefer the texture of the bigger pieces of cabbage and find it easier to eat with the ground beef.
More Ground Beef Dinner Recipes:
- Turkish Pasta
- Homemade Beef Tacos
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Ground Beef and Broccoli Stirfry
- Ground Beef with Hummus
- Lebanese Beef Kafta
- Unstuffed Bell Peppers
- Hashweh Lebanese Ground Beef
- Pasta Bolognese
- Macarona Bechamel
- Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
If you try this Ground Beef and Cabbage recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Ground Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon 7 Spice
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ head green cabbage chopped (about 4 cups)
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Rice for serving, optional
- Whole milk yogurt for serving, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the cumin, 7 Spice, sumac, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cabbage, cover and let simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Enjoy as-is or with warm pita, rice, and/or yogurt sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
