Keto Cabbage and Ground Beef Recipes: Quick, Easy, and Delicious

Are you looking for a simple, flavorful, and healthy meal that fits into your keto or low-carb lifestyle? Look no further than keto cabbage and ground beef recipes! These dishes are not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with nutrients and incredibly versatile. Cabbage, an often underused ingredient, shines in these recipes, offering a delightful crunch and a wealth of health benefits.

Why Cabbage is a Keto Superstar

Before diving into specific recipes, let's explore why cabbage is such a great addition to a ketogenic diet. Cabbage is low in net carbs and high in fiber, making it an ideal vegetable for those watching their carbohydrate intake. But its benefits extend beyond just macronutrients.

Cabbage is a nutritional powerhouse, boasting essential vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin C: Boosts immune function and acts as an antioxidant.
• Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
• Folate: Important for cell growth and DNA formation.
• Fiber: Aids digestion and promotes feelings of fullness.
• Potassium: Supports heart health and regulates blood pressure.

Emerging research even suggests that cruciferous vegetables like cabbage may have cancer-fighting properties, potentially protecting against colorectal cancer due to compounds like glucosinolates.

Keto Asian Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

For a quick and flavorful meal ready in under 30 minutes, try this keto Asian beef and cabbage stir fry. This recipe combines the savory taste of ground beef with the crispness of cabbage and a delicious Asian-inspired sauce.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• Ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• Coleslaw mix (cabbage-based)
• Red onion
• Garlic
• Fresh ginger (or ground ginger)
• Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
• Toasted sesame oil
• Swerve brown sugar (or other keto-friendly sweetener)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Hot sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together tamari, sesame oil, Swerve brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Set aside.
2. Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, red onion, garlic, and ginger until the beef is browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add cabbage: Add the coleslaw mix to the skillet and stir to combine.
4. Add sauce and cook: Pour the sauce over the cabbage and beef mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to soften, about 5 minutes.

This stir-fry is a customizable dish. Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef, or use yellow or white onions instead of red onion. For a different texture, try a broccoli-based coleslaw mix, keeping in mind it may require longer cooking time.

Low Carb Crack Slaw

"Crack slaw" is a popular and easy keto recipe featuring ground beef and coleslaw mix. Despite its somewhat unappealing name, this dish is a flavorful and satisfying way to enjoy cabbage.

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Coleslaw mix
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Tamari (or soy sauce)
• Olive oil
• Vinegar
• Stevia (or other keto-friendly sweetener)
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet or wok, brown the ground beef with garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
2. Cook the cabbage: Heat olive oil in the skillet. Add the coleslaw mix and cook until it begins to brown.
3. Add sauce: Stir in tamari, vinegar, stevia, and red pepper flakes (if using) into the cooked cabbage.
4. Combine: Return the ground beef to the skillet and mix well.

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Customize the seasonings to your liking, adding more or less spice as desired. The grated cabbage in this dish offers a texture similar to rice, making it a satisfying and filling meal.

One-Pan Keto Cabbage Casserole

For a comforting and cheesy dish, try a keto cabbage casserole. This recipe is a low-carb version of a classic casserole, perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Cabbage (chopped)
• Diced tomatoes (canned, undrained)
• Shredded cheese
• Seasoning (Tony Chachere's or your favorite blend)

Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as you go.
2. Add cabbage and tomatoes: Add the chopped cabbage and canned tomatoes (undrained) to the skillet. Stir well.
3. Season and cook: Add seasoning to taste. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender. Stir occasionally.
4. Add cheese: Cover the casserole with shredded cheese and place the lid back on for a minute or two until the cheese is melted.

Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or jalapeños to this casserole, but remember to adjust the net carb count accordingly. Using canned tomatoes with green chiles adds an extra layer of flavor.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Keto Cabbage Casserole: Three Ways

This versatile recipe can be made in the oven, pressure cooker, or slow cooker, depending on your preference and schedule.

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Cabbage (chopped)
• Carrot (grated)
• Garlic (minced)
• Onion (diced)
• Tomato sauce
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Seasonings

Oven Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped cabbage, grated carrot, minced garlic, and diced onion to the skillet. Cook until cabbage is slightly tender and onions are translucent.
4. Mix in tomato sauce, cream cheese, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is well combined and melted. Add seasonings and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

Pressure Cooker Method

1. Using the sauté function, brown the ground beef in your pressure cooker.
2. Add cabbage, carrot, garlic, onion, tomato sauce, cream cheese, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well.
3. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
4. Quick-release the pressure. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted.

Slow Cooker Method

1. Brown the ground beef, garlic, and onion in a skillet and transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add cabbage, carrot, tomato sauce, cream cheese, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted before serving.

For a dairy-free version, skip the cream cheese and cheddar cheese.

Keto Beef & Cabbage Bowl

This simple and budget-friendly meal is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Cabbage (shredded)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Carrot (shredded)
• Ghee or coconut oil
• Green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ghee or coconut oil, ground beef, and onion.
2. When beef is cooked and onions are translucent, add in cabbage and carrots.
3. Sauté the cabbage/beef mixture until the cabbage is gently cooked but not soft and mushy.
4. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with green onions.

Enjoy this keto beef cabbage sauté on its own or with a side of cauliflower rice or zero-carb konjac rice. If you're not following a keto diet, it's also delicious served with steamed rice.

Paleo Mexican Ground Beef and Cabbage Variation

Looking for a paleo-friendly option? Try this Mexican-inspired ground beef and cabbage dish.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Onion (chopped)
• Taco seasoning
• Mushrooms (sliced)
• Black olives (sliced)
• Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• Coconut oil

Instructions

1. Sauté the chopped onion in coconut oil.
2. Add ground beef and taco seasoning.
3. Add mushrooms and cook for a few minutes to soften.
4. Add black olives and cherry tomatoes.

Tips and Considerations

• Net Carbs: Always calculate the net carbs in your recipes by subtracting the fiber content from the total carbohydrates.
• Sweeteners: When using keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, remember that they may not impact blood sugar levels.
• Customization: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, seasonings, and sauces to create your own unique keto cabbage and ground beef recipes.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to control the spice level of your dishes.
• Fat Content: You can use a fatter or leaner ground beef depending on your preference, but remember to drain excess fat after cooking.
• Dairy-Free Options: Many of these recipes can be easily adapted to be dairy-free by omitting cheese and cream cheese or substituting with dairy-free alternatives.

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