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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Cabbage Goulash Recipe

    BY: Kimberly Grabinski PUBLISHED: 19 Nov, '21 UPDATED: 19 Nov, '21 5 Comments

    RecipePrintComments
    4.67 from 6 votes
    cabbage goulash soup pin

    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.

    Cabbage Goulash in a spoon
    Contents
    • 🥬 Cabbage Goulash with Ground Beef
    • 🥣 What is goulash soup?
    • 🍽 What you need
    • 🔪 How to make Cabbage Goulash
    • 📖 Goulash Variations
    • 🙋 What cut of beef should I use for goulash?
    • 🥗 What to serve with Cabbage Goulash
    • 🧊 Storing and ♨️ Reheating
    • 🍳 Related One-pot Recipes
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🥬 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.

    sauté ground beef

    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.

    boiling cabbage goulash ingredients

    Step 3

    Stir in the cabbage, and let simmer for about 5 minutes (for more crunchy texture) to 10 minutes (for softer texture).

    cabbage in a goulash pan

    Step 4

    Remove from heat and remove the bay leaf. Taste and add more seasoned salt and pepper if needed.

    cabbage goulash cooking

    Step 5

    Stir in cheddar cheese

    goulash in a pan  with cheedar on a white background

    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.

    🥗 What to serve with Cabbage Goulash

    This very southern dish goes well with these side dishes!

    • airfryer whole cauliflower wm
      Air Fryer Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • steamed Broccoli carrots and cauliflower
      Easy Steamed Vegetables
    • cilantro lime cauliflower rice
      Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    cabbage goulash in a spoon

    🧊 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.

    🍳 Related One-pot Recipes

    Try one of these related one-pot recipes for your next family meal.

    • featured creamy ranch pork chops
      Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
    • featured beef stew instant pot
      Instant Pot Beef Stew
    • deconstructed egg roll in a bowl featured
      Egg Roll in a Bowl

    👪 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.

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    Love this dinner recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Try one of my quick, easy, and affordable dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!

    📋 Recipe

    cabbage goulash in a spoon

    Cabbage Goulash

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 365kcal
    Author: Kim Grabinski
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Save Saved! Share
    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 uses cabbage rather than noodles.

    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.
    Looking for dinner recipe ideas? I have hundreds of fantastic recipes for quick, easy, and affordable meals.


    Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 648mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 2.9mg
    Information shown is an estimate and is for information only. 730 Sage Street is not responsible for the factual accuracy of any nutrition information, calculations or claims.
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    • Author
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    Kimberly Grabinski
    Kimberly Grabinski
    Kim brings experience and knowledge of recipe creation to 730 Sage Street. She is noted for developing iconic recipes by Huffpost, Buzzfeed, and Dr. Axe to name a few.
    Kimberly Grabinski
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kimberly

      March 12, 2020 at 8:31 pm

      4 stars
      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.

      Reply
    2. Kristin

      October 20, 2018 at 8:27 am

      5 stars
      Do i need to drain the meat?

      Reply
      • Susan

        October 23, 2018 at 7:07 pm

        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!

        Reply
    3. Gilly

      October 07, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      Why do some of your pics have pasta?

      Reply
      • Kim

        October 07, 2018 at 3:46 pm

        5 stars
        The one with the pasta is an advertisement for my vegan version. Sorry for the confusion!

        Reply

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