This Low Carb Dirty Cabbage is my take on viral dirty cabbage, a one-pan dinner of ground beef, ground sausage and strips of cabbage simmered in a spicy Sriracha beef broth.
With 9g carbs and 39g protein per serving, each bite is savory with a little heat. It's perfect for meal prep or feeding the family.
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Jump To:
- Why this low carb dirty cabbage works
- Low Carb Dirty Cabbage Ingredient Notes
- Step by step instructions
- How to make low carb dirty cabbage
- Recipe Tips
- Dirty Cabbage Variations & Swaps
- What to serve with Dirty Cabbage
- Macros and Nutrition
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More low carb dinner recipes
- Recipe Card
This is one of my go-to easy meals when I want something hearty and flavorful without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I've made it many times and it's always a hit with my family.
If you enjoy cabbage recipes, you might also like my Low Carb Sausage and Cabbage Skillet, Low Carb Cabbage Beef Stroganoff and Easy Low Carb Cabbage Alfredo.
Why this low carb dirty cabbage works
- Dirty cabbage, also called filthy dirty cabbage, is dirty rice with cabbage in place of the rice
- 9g total carbs and 39g protein per serving
- One pan meal: the beef, sausage, vegetables and cabbage all cook in the same skillet
- Five pantry spices, sriracha and Worcestershire replace the Cajun seasoning and tomato paste
- Apple cider vinegar goes in last, so the tang does not cook off
- Makes 6 servings of healthy dirty cabbage for low carb meal prep
Low Carb Dirty Cabbage Ingredient Notes
Dirty cabbage has been trending on social media, and I put my own spin on the idea by combining ground beef and sausage with cabbage, a spicy Sriracha beef broth and my own seasonings.
- Lean ground beef: lean beef balances the fattier sausage, so the pan has enough drippings to cook the vegetables
- Ground sausage: most dirty cabbage recipes use sliced andouille or smoked sausage. Ground sausage crumbles into the beef, so every forkful has both meats. I used hot Italian ground sausage for extra spice and flavor. If you prefer not to use pork, you can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken or additional ground beef.
- Garlic: fresh minced cloves, cooked on low heat in the drippings
- White onion, red bell pepper and celery: the same trio used in dirty rice.
- Salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika and Italian seasoning: these stand in for a Cajun seasoning blend, so you control the salt and the heat
- Beef broth: steams the cabbage and lifts the browned bits off the pan
- Worcestershire sauce: adds the savory depth that other versions get from tomato paste
- Sriracha: brings heat and garlic in one bottle. Add more on top if you like it spicy
- Cabbage: green cabbage cut into strips takes the place of rice and keeps this cabbage and ground beef skillet low in carbs
- Apple cider vinegar: goes in at the very end for tang that cuts through the rich meat
* See the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step by step instructions
How to make low carb dirty cabbage
This easy dirty cabbage recipe has four steps. Your one-pan dirty cabbage is ready when the cabbage is as tender as you like it.
STEP 1: Brown the ground beef and ground sausage, then set the meat aside and keep the drippings.
STEP 2: Cook the garlic on low heat, then add the onion, red bell pepper and celery until tender. Stir in the seasonings, sriracha, Worcestershire and beef broth.
STEP 3: Add the cabbage strips, cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
STEP 4: Return the meat, stir in the apple cider vinegar and heat through.
Pro Tip
Turn the heat to low before the garlic goes in. The drippings are still hot from browning the meat, and garlic burns fast in hot fat.
Recipe Tips
- I like to use a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven because the raw cabbage takes up lot of space before it wilts.
- Keep the drippings in the pan because they add extra flavor when you cook the garlic and vegetables. If you remove it add a tablespoon of olive oil.
- Cut the cabbage into even strips so it all cooks at about the same rate.
- Start checking the cabbage around 10 minutes. If you like some bite, you can stop there, or let it go closer to 15-20 minutes for softer cabbage.
- If the pan looks too soupy, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes before adding the meat back in.
- Add the vinegar at the end and just heat it through. This keeps that little hit of acidity.
Dirty Cabbage Variations & Swaps
- Milder: skip the cayenne and halve the sriracha
- Spicy dirty cabbage: use hot sausage and add sriracha on top
- Ground turkey or chicken: swap for the sausage and add a little oil, since there are fewer drippings
- Smoked sausage or andouille: slice and brown it in place of the ground sausage
- Green bell pepper: works in place of red
- Bagged coleslaw mix: use in place of cabbage strips and check it at 5 minutes
What to serve with Dirty Cabbage
- On its own in a bowl: this ground beef cabbage skillet already has the protein and vegetables
- With a Low Carb Green Bean Salad with Feta
- With Low Carb Biscuits to soak up the broth
Macros and Nutrition
One serving of this high protein dirty cabbage is one sixth of the pan. Each serving has 471 calories, 9g total carbs and 39g protein.
Nutrition per serving (1 of 6)
| Calories | 471 |
| Fat | 31g |
| Total Carbs | 9g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 39g |
Storage
- Meal prep: cool, then divide into 6 airtight containers
- Fridge: up to 4 days
- Freezer: up to 3 months. The cabbage is softer after thawing
- Reheat: in a skillet over medium heat, or microwave 1 to 2 minutes and stir halfway
- For meal prep dirty cabbage: stop the simmer at 10 minutes so the cabbage holds its texture when reheated
Example: cook on Sunday, portion 6 containers, eat 4 through Thursday and freeze 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
This low carb dirty cabbage has 9g total carbs per serving, with 3g fiber and 4g sugar. The carbs come from the cabbage, onion, red bell pepper, sriracha and Worcestershire. Versions served over rice are higher.
I used a hot Italian ground sausage, which adds extra spice and flavor, but you can use regular Italian sausage if you prefer less heat. You can also use mild or spicy breakfast sausage, chorizo, andouille sausage, or another ground sausage you enjoy. If you don't want to use pork, substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or additional ground beef.
Cabbage releases water as it cooks. Simmer with the lid off for the last few minutes to reduce the liquid. Reheat leftovers in a skillet to cook off any extra.
Recipe Card
Low Carb Dirty Cabbage
RECIPE VIDEO
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb (680.39 g) lean ground beef
- 1 lb (453.59 g) ground sausage
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ medium white onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 2 cups (473.18 ml) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon sriracha alternatively use tomato paste
- ½ head of cabbage
- 1 tablespoon (14.79 ml) apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and ground sausage. Break the meat apart and cook until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to move the meat to a bowl. Leave the drippings in the skillet.
- Turn the heat to low. Add the minced garlic and cook until tender, about 1 minute.
- Add the diced onion, red bell pepper and celery. Raise the heat to medium and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika and Italian seasoning.
- Add the sriracha, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Stir and scrape up the browned bits.
- Add the cabbage strips. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cabbage is as tender as you like.
- Return the browned meat to the skillet and stir until warmed through.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and heat for 1 minute. Serve with extra sriracha on top if you like the heat.
Notes
- Nutrition is calculated for 6 equal servings and changes with the sausage brand
- Taste before adding the salt if your broth and sausage are already salty
- The cabbage shrinks by more than half, so a full pan at the start is normal
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If the video and recipe card differ, follow the recipe card for the latest ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooked food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more food guidelines
Oscar Chimenti says
This is the one pan dinner I make when I want a lot of protein and very little cleanup.