Weight-Loss Cabbage and Lean Beef Dirty Skillet

Southern cooks call a pan "dirty" when browned meat stains every bite with deep flavor. Here lean beef meets cabbage and the onion-pepper-celery trinity in one skillet for a quick, hearty dinner.

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 25 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 280 cal
• 28g protein
• 16g carbs
• 12g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 lb extra-lean ground beef (93% lean)
• 1 small head, shredded (about 6 cups) green cabbage
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1, diced green bell pepper
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no salt added)
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• to finish hot sauce

Instructions

1. 1Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. 2Add the lean ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon; cook 5 to 6 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
3. 3Stir in diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery; sauté 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent.
4. 4Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper; cook 60 seconds until the spices bloom and smell fragrant.
5. 5Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. 6Add the shredded cabbage in handfuls, tossing after each addition so it begins to wilt into the mixture.
7. 7Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once halfway, until the cabbage is tender but still has a slight bite.
8. 8Uncover and cook another 2 to 3 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate and the skillet look ‘dirty’ and concentrated.
9. 9Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or hot sauce if desired.
10. 10Remove from heat, scatter chopped fresh parsley over the top, and give one final gentle stir.
11. 11Spoon into shallow bowls and serve hot as a complete low-calorie, high-volume dinner.
12. 12Leftovers reheat well for meal-prep lunches the next day.