This cabbage goulash recipe is hearty, filling, and sure to be a family pleaser. This version of American goulash is an easy one pot meal that is pure comfort food.
Contents
🥬 Cabbage Goulash with Ground Beef
Cabbage goulash is a delicious and simple very southern dish to make, perfect for any night of the week.
This cabbage goulash recipe can be made in about 40 minutes! It's also very inexpensive, which makes it great for those who are on a budget.
When I made this cabbage goulash recipe I got inspired by the traditional Hungarian goulash recipe. So I replaced the noodles with shredded cabbage, then added aromatic herbs, ground beef, vegetables, seasonings and cheese to boost the flavor.
It was so oh-satisfying and delicious and my entire family loved it!
🥣 What is goulash soup?
Goulash soup is traditionally a Hungarian dish made with stew meat, red sauce, and paprika, usually served with noodles, rice or mashed potatoes on the side. Hungarian goulash often includes onions and garlic, red peppers and caraway seed.
American Goulash
The American version of goulash usually uses ground beef instead of chunks of meat. The sauce is more like a bolognese style (or American chop suey popular in New England) and is made with elbow macaroni in the dish instead of being served over it or on the side.
American goulash can be made on the stove top in a dutch oven or in a slow cooker.
Hungarian Goulash
The video below shows (presumably someone's Hungarian grandmother) a woman making authentic, traditional Hungarian goulash. Take a look!
🍽 What you need
Cabbage goulash uses budget-friendly ingredients - many of which are probably sitting in your kitchen. Beyond that, cabbage is essential ingredient.
Equipment
As for cookware, you won't need much, considering this is a one-pot meal.
- Dutch oven/ large pot
- Wooden spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
I always turn to my trusty, enameled, dutch oven when making soups, stews, and one-pot meals. It's one of the wisest investments I've ever made -it still serves me well, 5 years later. But if your budget is a lil tight right now, any large pot will do.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup beef broth
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
- 2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoons dried thyme.
- ¼ teaspoons dried basil.
- ¼ teaspoons dried rosemary.
- ¼ teaspoons dried sage.
- 1 tablespoons Adobo Seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-½ cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Not familiar with Adobo Seasoning? Check out my adobo seasoning guide for more information.
🔪 How to make Cabbage Goulash
Don't let the long list of ingredients fool you; this is one of the easiest, probably the yummiest ground beef and cabbage recipes you'll ever make - everything comes together in just 40 minutes in ONE POT.
Step 1
In a large hot pan, sauté your ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until about half cooked.
Add garlic, onions, olive oil & cook until meat is fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
Step 2
Stir in the remaining ingredients except for the cabbage.
Cover with a lid and cook for about 20 minutes, occasionally stirring over medium heat.
Step 3
Stir in the cabbage, and let simmer for about 5 minutes (for more crunchy texture) to 10 minutes (for softer texture).
Step 4
Remove from heat and remove the bay leaf. Taste and add more seasoned salt and pepper if needed.
Step 5
Stir in cheddar cheese
Serve warm!
Cooking Tips
Try the following tips for making the most flavorful goulash;
- For an extra flavor burst, try a combination of sharp cheeses. - cheddar and Swiss or Parmesan cheese create a fantastic flavor combination that will take your beef goulash to a new level. A splash of soy sauce also goes a long way.
- Add a dash of cayenne powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder if you want to spice things a bit.
- Feel free to swap out ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken. Using leftover cooked beef works well to.
- If you're out of garlic cloves, use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- If you opt for store-bought beef broth, always go for low or no sodium added versions. Besides being healthier, you can control the flavor of your dish.
- For an extra hint of creamy flavor, add a dollop of sour cream on top
- Feel free to add home canned tomatoes chopped instead of diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
📖 Goulash Variations
My whole family loves this very southern dish full of goodness, but sometimes I like to change things up. Be adventurous and try one of these delicious goulash versions...or all of them. And who knows, you might find a new family favorite;
German Goulash
This German goulash recipe uses lots of onions, so use 3 large ones. Start by browning 2 pounds of beef cubes, then follow the instructions as per recipe; substituting diced tomatoes and sauce for 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 diced bell pepper, and 1 chopped carrot for cabbage. Add 1 cup of red wine along with broth and other ingredients.
Hungarian Goulash
Swap out ground beef for 2 pounds chuck roast cut into bite-size pieces. Use 2 diced bell peppers and carrots instead of cabbage. Leave out the tomato sauce and dried herbs, then add ¼ cup of Hungarian sweet paprika and continue with the recipe.
Vegetarian Goulash
Replace the beef with 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, add 1 chopped celery stalk, 2 diced carrots, pinto beans and bell peppers. But feel free to throw in whatever other veggies you have on hand. Also, leave out the cheese if desired.
Slow cooker goulash
If you prefer the convenience of a slow cooker or crockpot and you've got time, you'll love this recipe. Cook, covered for 2 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low. Wait until the last 15-30 minutes of cooking time to add cabbage.
🙋 What cut of beef should I use for goulash?
Across the world, goulash is usually made with flanks or chunks of beef. It works well with beef that is tough and gets tender with slower cooking, which makes it affordable. Lamb, pork or veal can be used as well, but normally beef is the meat of choice for this dish. For this particular cabbage goulash recipe I used ground beef for convenience.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ Reheating
Got leftovers or want to make a big batch? Here's how to store cabbage goulash;
Refrigerate
Transfer leftovers in an air-sealed container and eat within 3 days.
Freeze
This goulash doesn't freeze well because the cheese tends to separate or get grainy when frozen or reheated. So if you're planning to make a big batch, leave out the cheese, then store the rest in an airtight container or freezer-safe baggies. It should last up to 3 months.
Reheat
Allow the goulash to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. The best option is to reheat on the stove over medium heat for a few minutes or until heated through.
👪 Serving Size
This cabbage goulash recipe serves 10, so it's perfect if you have company for dinner. Even if it's just you and your small family, you'll have plenty of leftovers to eat for lunch the next day. Or better yet, freeze and enjoy another time.
Besides being easy to make, delightfully delicious, this very southern dish recipe allows you to switch things up whenever you want to.
📋 Recipe
Cabbage Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion - diced
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup beef broth
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
- 2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme.
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil.
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary.
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage.
- 1 tablespoon Adobo Seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- ½ tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-½ cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large pan, saute your ground meat in skillet over medium-high heat until about half cooked.
- Add garlic, onions, olive oil & until meat is fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
- Add water and broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, italian seasoning, bay leaves, and seasoned salt, pepper and adobo seasoning. Mix well.
- Lower heat and cover - allow to cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the cabbage, and let simmer for about 5 minutes (for more crunchy texture) to 10 minutes (for softer texture).
- Remove from heat and remove the bay leaves.
- Stir in cheddar cheese and serve.
Notes
- For an extra flavor burst, try a combination of sharp cheeses. - cheddar and Swiss or Parmesan cheese create a fantastic flavor combination that will take your beef goulash to a new level. A splash of soy sauce also goes a long way.
- Add a dash of cayenne powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder if you want to spice things a bit.
- Feel free to swap out ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken. Using leftover cooked beef works well to.
- If you're out of garlic cloves, use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- If you opt for store-bought beef broth, always go for low or no sodium added versions. Besides being healthier, you can control the flavor of your dish.
- For an extra hint of creamy flavor, add a dollop of sour cream on top
- Feel free to add home canned tomatoes chopped instead of diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
Gilly
Why do some of your pics have pasta?
Kim
The one with the pasta is an advertisement for my vegan version. Sorry for the confusion!
Kristin
Do i need to drain the meat?
Susan
Would you mind adding this to the recipe instructions? Unfortunately, I didn’t see this until after I had added the broth and water. ? Thank you!
Kimberly
Tasty.....I did not drain the beef, so it was a bit oily, which made the dish more like a soup. I am on Keto so the oil works foe me.....all is good.
The cabbage took up the space where I usually have noodles and was delicious.