Dirty Cabbage

Name: Dirty Cabbage
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced; 1 lb ground beef; 1 head cabbage, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 onion, sliced; 3-4 cloves garlic, minced; 1-2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; garlic salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, to taste; smoked paprika, to taste

Dirty cabbage brings all the smoky, beefy, Cajun-style flavor into one big Dutch oven without making things complicated.

Sliced smoked sausage gets browned first so it builds flavor and keeps those crispy edges, then ground beef goes into the same pot and gets seasoned with garlic salt, black pepper, Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, and smoked paprika. Tomato paste cooks into the beef before the onions and bell peppers soften down and add that sweet savory flavor throughout the dish.

Once the garlic gets fragrant, chopped cabbage goes in and slowly cooks down into the meat, peppers, and seasonings. Worcestershire sauce, more garlic salt, and extra Cajun seasoning give the cabbage that deep savory flavor that makes it taste way better than plain cooked cabbage.

The smoked sausage gets added back at the end so everything comes together into a hearty one-pot dinner that is smoky, spicy, savory, and loaded with comfort food flavor.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Loaded with smoked sausage, ground beef, cabbage, peppers, onion, and garlic.
One-pot dinner with bold Cajun-style flavor.
The cabbage cooks down into the meat and seasonings instead of tasting plain.
Smoked sausage adds crispy edges and smoky flavor throughout the dish.
Hearty enough to serve as a full meal by itself.

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Ingredients

The base of this recipe starts with smoked sausage and ground beef cooked in a Dutch oven with olive oil. Browning the sausage first gives it more color and flavor, while searing the ground beef before breaking it apart helps build a richer base for the cabbage.

Cabbage, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic salt, and black pepper all cook together until the cabbage softens and soaks up the flavor from the meat and seasonings.

1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 lb ground beef
1 head cabbage, chopped
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1–2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1–2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Garlic salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, to taste
Smoked paprika, to taste

How To Make Dirty Cabbage

Step 1: Brown Sausage

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until nicely browned.

Step 2: Remove Sausage

Remove the sausage from the Dutch oven and set it aside.

Step 3: Cook Ground Beef

Add the ground beef and let it get a good sear before breaking it apart. Season with garlic salt, black pepper, Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, and smoked paprika.

Step 4: Add Tomato Paste

Add the tomato paste and cook it with the beef for a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Add Onion and Bell Peppers

Add the sliced onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 6: Add Garlic

Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

Step 7: Add Cabbage

Add the chopped cabbage and let it cook down, stirring everything together as it softens.

Step 8: Season Cabbage

Season the cabbage with Worcestershire sauce, additional garlic salt, and Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning.

Step 9: Add Sausage Back

Add the browned smoked sausage back into the Dutch oven and mix everything together.

Step 10: Finish and Serve

Let it cook for a few more minutes so all those flavors can combine, then serve hot.

Recipe Variations

Use andouille sausage instead of smoked sausage for a stronger Cajun flavor. It adds more spice and smoke, which works really well with the cabbage and ground beef.
Add cooked rice at the end if you want more of a dirty rice and cabbage style dish. The rice will soak up the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning from the meat.
Swap the ground beef for ground turkey if you want a lighter version. The smoked sausage still keeps the dish flavorful, and the seasonings help the turkey taste less plain.
Add crushed red pepper flakes or extra Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning if you want more heat. Start small and taste as you go because Cajun seasoning can get salty fast.
Top each serving with shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a cheesy version. The cheese melts into the hot cabbage and makes the dish even richer.

Tips for Success

Brown the smoked sausage first so it develops crispy edges and adds more flavor to the Dutch oven.
Let the ground beef sear before breaking it apart so it gets better color and flavor.
Cook the tomato paste for a couple minutes so it deepens in flavor and blends into the beef.
Add the cabbage in batches if your Dutch oven is very full, because it will shrink down as it cooks.
Taste before adding more garlic salt because the sausage, Cajun seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce can all add saltiness.
Let everything cook together for a few minutes after adding the sausage back in so the flavors can fully combine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different sausage?

Yes, you can use kielbasa, andouille sausage, turkey smoked sausage, or another smoked sausage you like. Andouille will make the dish spicier and more Cajun-style, while regular smoked sausage keeps it a little more mild. Just make sure to brown it first so it adds flavor to the pot.

Can I make dirty cabbage low carb?

Yes, this recipe is already a solid low carb dinner since it uses cabbage, meat, peppers, and seasonings without rice or pasta. The main thing to watch is the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, but the amounts are small across the whole dish. You can also use a lower-sugar Worcestershire sauce if needed.

How do I keep the cabbage from getting watery?

Cabbage naturally releases moisture as it cooks, so cooking it uncovered for part of the time can help some of that liquid reduce. Stir it often as it softens so it cooks evenly with the beef, peppers, and sausage. If there is too much liquid at the end, let it cook a few extra minutes uncovered.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, dirty cabbage reheats well and the flavors usually get even better after sitting. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then reheat it in a skillet or microwave until hot. If reheating in a pan, a small splash of water or broth can help loosen it back up.

What can I serve with dirty cabbage?

Dirty cabbage is hearty enough to eat on its own, but it also works well with rice, cornbread, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes if you want a bigger meal. For a lower carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or just enjoy it as a bowl. The sausage, beef, and cabbage make it filling either way.

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Dirty Cabbage

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A hearty one-pot dirty cabbage recipe made with smoked sausage, ground beef, cabbage, bell peppers, onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 lb ground beef
1 head cabbage, chopped
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
garlic salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, to taste
smoked paprika, to taste

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until nicely browned.
Remove the browned sausage from the Dutch oven and set it aside.
Add the ground beef to the same Dutch oven and let it get a good sear before breaking it apart. Season with garlic salt, black pepper, Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning, and smoked paprika.
Add the tomato paste to the beef and cook it for a couple of minutes, stirring it into the meat.
Add the sliced onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the chopped cabbage and let it cook down, stirring everything together as the cabbage softens.
Season the cabbage with Worcestershire sauce, additional garlic salt, and Tony’s Cajun Kick seasoning.
Add the browned smoked sausage back into the Dutch oven and mix everything together.
Let everything cook for a few more minutes so the flavors can combine, then serve hot.

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Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.