This Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet with caramelized onions comes together quickly for healthy weeknight meals. You’d never guess this flavorful, nutritious meal is made with only 6 basic ingredients!.
This recipe is a mix of my Caramelized Cabbage with Bacon and my One-Pot Ground Beef and Cabbage soup.
In my mind, you can’t go wrong with meat and veggies for a filling, nutritious meal. The neutral flavor of cabbage makes it a win to cook with just about anything!.
This simple ground turkey and cabbage skillet only requires 6 basic ingredients, but is plenty flavorful.
Plus, it is easy to customize to your heart’s delight by adding various veggies or sauces.
If you only eat this recipe, it makes two servings. If you add side dishes like steamed rice, roasted vegetables, salad, etc., it makes four servings.
If you have a large pot, you can double the recipe for meal prepping weekday lunches or dinners. Just be sure you have a big enough vessel to hold a lot of cabbage.
Because the onion and cabbage need more time to cook for the best taste and texture, this recipe takes a little longer to make than a typical 30-minute skillet meal.
My favorite part about the recipe is that it is so easy to make. So foolproof that even people who have never cooked before will do great with it, I would say.
While the onions and cabbage are cooking, you can do other things without having to keep an eye on them.
Cabbage and ground turkey make an amazing flavor combination that results in a healthy, easy to make, and budget-friendly meal. This power duo is loved by home cooks for good reason. By pairing cabbage with ground turkey, you get a dish that is full of fiber, protein, and nutrients.
Why Cabbage and Ground Turkey Work So Well Together
Cabbage and ground turkey complement each other perfectly in terms of taste, texture, and health benefits. Here’s an overview of what each ingredient brings to the table
Cabbage – Cabbage is an extremely versatile vegetable that takes well to many cooking methods. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with meat. When cooked, cabbage becomes tender but still maintains some crunch. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and fiber. The fiber in cabbage helps you feel full and satisfied after eating.
Ground Turkey – Ground turkey is a lean and protein-packed choice that is lower in fat than ground beef. It has a mild flavor that allows the other ingredients to shine. Ground turkey provides a hefty serving of protein iron zinc, and B vitamins. The protein will help you stay full and energized.
Together, cabbage and ground turkey give you a meal that offers a winning combo of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The two ingredients balance each other out perfectly in terms of flavors, textures, and health perks.
Ways to Cook Cabbage and Ground Turkey
There are so many delicious ways to cook cabbage and ground turkey together. Here are some of the most popular recipe ideas:
Cabbage Stir Fry – Sauté shredded cabbage and ground turkey in a skillet along with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and other stir fry favorites. Serve over rice.
Cabbage Rolls – Stuff blanched cabbage leaves with a flavorful ground turkey and rice filling. Simmer in tomato sauce.
Cabbage Soup – Cook chopped cabbage with ground turkey, veggies, and seasonings in broth. Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
Cabbage Casserole – Layer cooked ground turkey with sliced cabbage, cheese, and a creamy sauce. Bake until bubbly.
Cabbage Hash – Cook ground turkey with shredded cabbage, potatoes, onions, and southwest seasoning. Top with a fried egg.
Cabbage Slaw – Toss shredded raw cabbage with cooked ground turkey, vinegar dressing, scallions, and carrot.
Cabbage Skillet – Sauté cabbage and ground turkey with garlic and coconut aminos or soy sauce. Serve over cauliflower rice.
The possibilities are endless! Play around with different seasonings and ingredients to customize recipes to your taste.
Benefits of Cabbage and Ground Turkey Meals
Including more cabbage and ground turkey in your diet offers some excellent health perks. Here are a few of the benefits you can enjoy:
- Increased fiber intake resulting in better digestion and heart health
- More protein to help build muscle, repair cells, and curb hunger
- Lower calorie meals that can aid in weight management
- Vitamins like vitamin C and K for immunity and bone strength
- Minerals like potassium and iron for reduced fatigue and muscle function
- Phytochemicals in cabbage with anti-inflammatory effects
- Lower in saturated fat than dishes made with ground beef
- Budget-friendly ingredients that help you save money on groceries
Research shows that increasing your produce intake and choosing leaner proteins like turkey can lower your risk for many chronic illnesses. Cabbage and ground turkey offer an easy, tasty way to do this!
Tips for Preparing Cabbage and Ground Turkey
Here are some handy tips to ensure your cabbage and ground turkey meals turn out perfectly:
- When buying cabbage, choose heads that feel very heavy for their size and have crisp leaves. Store whole heads in the fridge up to 2 weeks.
- To shred cabbage, carefully slice off the bottom core and remove the tough outer leaves. Quarter the cabbage and thinly slice each quarter.
- Look for lean ground turkey with no more than 10% fat content. Handle raw turkey carefully to avoid cross-contamination.
- Cook ground turkey thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature. Crumble and stir frequently as it cooks.
- Add acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar to recipes to help soften cabbage as it cooks.
- Braise or sauté cabbage before adding ground turkey to allow it to become tender.
- Season ground turkey boldly with spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic, and pepper. Cabbage mellows these strong flavors.
- Add fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, and chives at the end for brightness.
With these handy tips, you’ll be ready to whip up easy and healthy cabbage and ground turkey meals any night of the week. Give this amazing ingredient duo a try! Your taste buds and body will thank you.
How to Make Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet:
In a large pot or 12-inch skillet with a deep rim, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced onion and cook until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes.
Put the sliced cabbage in the pan, stir it as much as you can (it will be full), and put a lid on top. For about 10 to 15 minutes, stir the cabbage every now and then until it has wilted and a lot of liquid has leaked out.
Take off the lid and make a space in the middle of the pan for the ground turkey and garlic.
Allow the turkey to brown for a few minutes without touching it. Then, break it up with a spatula and mix it in with the cabbage and onion.
Pour in the coconut aminos (or liquid aminos or soy sauce) and stir well.
There should still be a lot of liquid at the bottom of the pan. Keep cooking over high heat, stirring every now and then, until the sauce is the thickness you want it to be.
You can top this ground turkey cabbage skillet with any of your favorite things, like sour cream, hot sauce, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, or any other topping you like. ) and enjoy!.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
And that’s it! A quick and easy healthy dinner recipe that requires hardly any effort to prepare. Make this low-carb meal any time you’re looking for a nourishing dinner that will keep you feeling energized.
If you love skillet meals, also try these delicious healthy recipes!
Ingredients for Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet:
Avocado Oil: Since avocado oil has a high smoke point, it is great for cooking at high temperatures. It was used to sauté the onion and cabbage.
Onion Fresh garlic cloves get minced up and added in for extra flavor.
Cabbage: Cabbage adds volume to the meal, making it nice and filling and satisfying. You can also use red cabbage if you prefer.
Lean Ground Turkey: For a high protein, low-fat dinner recipe, we use ground turkey in this delicious meal. Feel free to swap it out for lean ground beef or ground chicken.
Coconut Aminos: Bringing a little Asian flair to the meal, coconut aminos adds sweetness and umami flavor. You can swap it out for homemade teriyaki sauce, store-bought teriyaki sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, or tamari.
Sea Salt: Add sea salt to taste. If you’re using soy sauce, you likely won’t need to add more salt.
I like drizzling a little sriracha over the ground turkey and cabbage for a little kick.
You can serve this meal with extra sides like steamed rice or roasted vegetables, or you can make the skillet even more veggie-packed.
If you do dairy, you can serve with grated cheese such as parmesan, cheddar, gouda, etc. Sour cream, salsa, and avocado are also great options.
- You can add any hearty vegetable you like, like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or bell peppers.
- Cook the recipe with the fat that comes off of 4 to 6 strips of thick-cut bacon. Once everything is done, you can sprinkle the crispy bacon on top.
Now that we have the healthy ingredients list covered, let’s make it!
HOW TO COOK CABBAGE WITH GROUND TURKEY
FAQ
What meat is best for cabbage?
What can I add to ground turkey to make it taste better?
When not to cook ground turkey?
Why do you soak cabbage in vinegar?
What to eat with ground turkey & cabbage?
Serve this Ground Turkey and Cabbage with a fresh tomato side salad to add a burst of color and extra crunch. Pair it with cauliflower rice or steamed broccoli for an extra low-carb option. Add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top for added richness.
What is cabbage soup diet?
It is one of the fad diet followed in 1980’s. To attain quick weight loss this diet gained popularity. It is basically including large quantities of cabbage soup the whole day for a week. There is a regime to include 1 or 2 low calorie foods along with cabbage soup. It is basically a low calorie diet with lack of many nutrients. Weight loss can be achieved but regained after going back to routine diet.
What is ground turkey cabbage soup?
Ground Turkey Cabbage Soup is a delicious, veggie-packed soup filled with good-for-you ingredients! Lean ground turkey, cabbage, and plenty of other fresh vegetables, all in a super flavorful broth make this easy, one-pot recipe a family favorite! This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
How long do you cook a Turkey with cabbage?
Adjust the heat to medium-high once it starts cooking. While the turkey is cooking, slice the cabbage into thin strips, discarding the core to ensure only the tender leaves are used. Once the turkey is fully cooked (about 8 minutes or until no longer pink), remove it from the pan and set it aside for later.
Can you substitute ground turkey for cabbage?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken, beef, pork, or a plant-based alternative. Each will provide a unique flavor and texture, allowing you to customize the dish to your liking. How do I keep the cabbage from getting too soft?
Do you add salt to ground turkey & cabbage?
Sea Salt: Add sea salt to taste. If you’re using soy sauce, you likely won’t need to add more salt. I like drizzling a little sriracha over the ground turkey and cabbage for a little kick. You can serve this meal with additional side dishes like steamed rice or roasted veggies, or add more vegetables to the skillet.