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. The slightly sweet crunchy cabbage perfectly complements the savory, lean ground turkey. Paired together in a skillet, they create a simple hearty, healthy one-pan meal.
Ground turkey cabbage skillet meals come together quickly on busy weeknights. They provide plenty of nutrition from the fiber-filled cabbage and protein-packed ground turkey. Let’s look at some easy recipe ideas for cooking cabbage with ground turkey.
Why Pair Cabbage and Ground Turkey
There are several benefits to cooking cabbage with ground turkey
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Flavor – The neutral cabbage tastes great with bold, savory ground turkey It also balances out the meat’s richness.
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Texture – The crispness of the raw cabbage softens when cooked, contrasting nicely with crumbled, browned ground turkey.
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Nutrition – Cabbage offers vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and antioxidants. Ground turkey provides lean protein, zinc, vitamin B6 and niacin.
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Cost – Both ingredients are budget-friendly to keep meals affordable.
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Convenience – Cabbage and ground turkey cook quickly in one skillet. Minimal ingredients and prep needed.
Tips for Cooking Cabbage and Ground Turkey
Here are some tips to ensure your cabbage and ground turkey turns out perfectly:
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Shred or chop the cabbage thinly so it wilts down and cooks faster.
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Cook the cabbage first until softened before adding ground turkey.
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Brown the ground turkey well to enhance flavor. Break up large clumps as it cooks.
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Add aromatics like garlic, onion and spices to boost flavor.
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Cook over high heat to evaporate excess moisture from cabbage.
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Season well with salt, pepper and herbs. Cabbage needs strong seasoning.
Simple Skillet Meals with Cabbage and Ground Turkey
These easy one-pan meals feature cabbage cooked with ground turkey:
Basic Ground Turkey Cabbage Stir Fry
Sauté shredded cabbage in oil then add ground turkey and soy sauce. Quick and simple.
Ground Turkey Cabbage Hash
Cook cabbage with ground turkey, potatoes, onions, garlic and bell peppers. Top with a fried egg.
Mexican Ground Turkey Cabbage Skillet
Flavor with cumin, salsa and cilantro. Serve with avocado, lime and tortillas.
Italian Turkey Sausage and Cabbage
Sauté cabbage and spicy turkey sausage with onion, garlic and red pepper flakes.
Turkey Cabbage Fried Rice
Make takeout-style fried rice with ground turkey, cabbage, peas, carrots and eggs.
Ground Turkey Bolognese
Sauté cabbage and ground turkey as the base for a cozy cabbage bolognese bake or pasta topper.
Turkey Cabbage Soup
Simmer ground turkey and cabbage with broth, tomatoes, onions, carrots and potatoes.
Smoky Turkey Cabbage Sauté
Add smoked paprika and chipotle chile powder for a smoky turkey-cabbage combo.
Greek Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Blanch cabbage leaves then wrap around a savory ground turkey and rice filling. Bake in tomato sauce.
Turkey Cabbage Stir Fry
Stir fry cabbage with ground turkey then flavor with ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil.
More Ways to Use Ground Turkey and Cabbage
Beyond skillet meals, these are other tasty ways to enjoy ground turkey and cabbage together:
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Ground turkey cabbage egg rolls
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Cabbage wraps with ground turkey fillings
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Ground turkey cabbage casserole or gratin
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Cabbage stuffed peppers with ground turkey rice
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Cabbage patch turkey soup with ground turkey
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Braised cabbage wedges topped with sautéed ground turkey
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Ground turkey cabbage stir fry wraps or lettuce wraps
The simple combination of cabbage and ground turkey makes for hearty, healthy one-pot meals. The two ingredients were made for each other! Use these tips and recipe ideas to start creating easy cabbage and turkey skillet dishes.
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.