If you like dirty rice, you’ll like dirty cabbage too. It’s full of flavor and has a little bit of a kick.

If you’re looking for something to serve for Mardi Gras, this dirty cabbage recipe needs to go to the top of your list. It’s a low-carb riff on dirty rice (a staple of Louisiana Cajun cuisine) in which chopped cabbage replaces the traditional rice. Like dirty rice, this dish gets its name from its “dirty” appearance that comes from the inclusion of ground beef and many seasonings. Serve this hearty dish as-is with a big slice of cornbread or cornbread muffins, or serve it as part of a spread of Cajun-inspired foods.

Dirty Cabbage Ingredients

• Ground beef: Ground beef adds some heart to this cabbage recipe. Use a 90% lean blend.
• Andouille sausage: This spicy smoked pork sausage is a staple in Creole and Cajun cuisine.
• Aromatics: This recipe is made with the Cajun holy trinity of onion, green bell pepper and celery. Minced garlic adds an additional punch of flavor, and red bell peppers add a little sweetness.
• Green cabbage: You will need a medium head of green cabbage to make this recipe.
• Seasonings: The dirty cabbage is seasoned with a spicy combination of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the meat

Heat the olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until it’s browned and no longer pink, about four to six minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate.

Add the sliced andouille sausage to the Dutch oven and cook it until it’s browned, about six to eight minutes, stirring often. Transfer it to the plate with the browned beef.

Step 2: Saute the aromatics

Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion, red and green peppers and celery to the Dutch oven. Cook them until they’re softened, about four to five minutes. Add the minced garlic and saute it until it’s fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 3: Add the cabbage

Add the shredded cabbage to the Dutch oven. Season it with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.

Add the ground beef and sausage, and stir to combine everything. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is softened and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve it immediately.

Dirty Cabbage Variations

• Add tomatoes and chiles: Deepen the flavor and add a little more heat by stirring in a can of diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel.
• Use a different meat: Swap ground turkey or ground pork for the ground beef. Or use chopped, cooked bacon in place of the sausage.

How to Store Dirty Cabbage

Cool the dirty cabbage completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge.

How long does dirty cabbage last?

Dirty cabbage lasts for three to four days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze dirty cabbage?

Yes, you can freeze dirty cabbage. Allow the dirty cabbage to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe storage container or bag. Store it in the freezer for up to three months. Allow the dirty cabbage to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.

How should you reheat dirty cabbage?

The best way to reheat dirty cabbage is to transfer it to a skillet and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed through.

Dirty Cabbage Tips

What’s the best way to cut cabbage for dirty cabbage?

This recipe calls for roughly chopped cabbage. Just like when shredding cabbage, you’ll want to remove the core first. To do so, cut the cabbage stem so that the head of cabbage sits flat on the cutting board. Then, slice straight down the middle of the cabbage head to cut it into two halves. To remove the stem from each half, make two diagonal cuts around the stem, then pull it out and discard it. Then, simply cut each half vertically into 1-inch slabs, and chop each into one-inch pieces.

What can you serve with dirty cabbage?

Like dirty rice, you can serve dirty cabbage as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or pork chops. Or, serve dirty cabbage as a main dish with a thick slice of cornbread on the side.

What can you make with leftover dirty cabbage?

My favorite way to use leftover dirty cabbage is to make soup with it. Simply add broth (vegetable, chicken or beef would all work) to a large soup pot, then stir in an equal amount of leftover dirty cabbage (for example, 4 cups of broth and 4 cups of leftover cabbage) and simmer it until the meat is heated through. Serve it with a simple green salad and some crusty bread, and dinner is ready in no time!

Loading Popular in the Community