Dinner can sometimes feel like the hardest part of the day. After work or school, most of us just want something simple that does not take forever to cook.
That is exactly why I started cooking more with cabbage and ground turkey.
Over the last few days I actually tested several recipes in my own kitchen using these two ingredients. Some ideas worked better than others. A few turned out so good that I knew they were worth sharing.
This blog is not random list written quickly. Every recipe here comes from real cooking I did myself. If you are looking for quick dinners that are healthy and affordable, these recipes can really help.
Let us dive into the content.
1. Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Bowl
Have you ever tried making traditional cabbage rolls?
It takes a lot of work. You have to boil the leaves and roll them up. It is kind of a mess, right? Well, this recipe gives you all that flavor without the hard work.
You just chop everything up and toss it in a pan. It is pretty much a one-pan wonder. You get the protein from the turkey and the crunch from the cabbage.
What you need
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One pound of ground turkey
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Half a head of green cabbage
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One can of tomato sauce
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Garlic and onion
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Rice (optional)
How to make it
First, cook your turkey in a large skillet until it is brown. Then, add your onions and garlic. Once they smell good, throw in the chopped cabbage. Pour the tomato sauce over everything. Cover it and let it simmer.
This is a great meal for a Tuesday night. It is healthy and fills you up. Your kids will actually like the sweet tomato flavor. Trust me, it is a winner.
2. Low Carb Turkey Taco Slaw
I love taco night but want something lighter than heavy shells. This taco slaw is basically a taco in a bowl. Cabbage stays crunchy even with hot meat, giving you a better texture. It is a healthy way to enjoy taco flavors.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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Four cups of shredded cabbage
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One packet of taco seasoning
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One fourth cup of water
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One tablespoon of olive oil
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Taco toppings
How To Do It
Brown the turkey in a pan with the oil. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Add the cabbage and toss it well. Cook for five minutes until the cabbage is slightly soft.
Serve it in bowls with your favorite toppings like cheese and avocado. It is a simple way to stay on track with healthy eating.
3. Sesame Ginger Turkey Stir Fry
Are you craving Chinese food? Instead of calling for takeout, try this. This stir fry is fast and way better for you. The mix of ginger and sesame oil makes it smell like a restaurant in your house.
I love using shredded cabbage here. You can buy the pre-shredded bags at the store to save time.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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One bag of coleslaw mix
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Two tablespoons of soy sauce
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One tablespoon of fresh ginger
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One tablespoon of sesame oil
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Sliced green onions
How To Do It
Cook the ground turkey on high heat until it is crispy and brown. Add the ginger and cook for one minute. Toss in the whole bag of cabbage mix and the liquids.
Stir fry for three minutes. Top with green onions before serving. Your family will ask for seconds because it is so tasty.
4. Creamy Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet
Sometimes you just need comfort food. This recipe is like a warm hug. It uses a little bit of cream cheese to make a rich sauce. It feels decadent but it is still quite healthy.
Personally, I think this is the best recipe for picky eaters. The creamy sauce hides the taste of the vegetables. It is a sneaky way to help your family eat better. It only takes one pan to make.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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Five cups of chopped cabbage
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Four ounces of cream cheese
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Half a cup of chicken broth
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Garlic powder
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Smoked paprika
How To Do It
Brown the turkey in a large skillet and drain the fat. Add the cabbage and the garlic powder. Pour in the chicken broth and cover the pan to steam.
Let it cook for eight minutes. Stir in the cream cheese and paprika until the sauce is smooth. Imagine a hot dinner that only took twenty minutes.
5. Turkey and Cabbage Egg Roll in a Bowl
This is probably the most popular cabbage recipe right now. Have you heard of Crack Slaw? That is what many people call it because it is so addictive. It tastes just like the inside of an egg roll.
I really like this because it is so versatile. You can add carrots or mushrooms. But the base is always ground turkey and cabbage. It is a great meal if you are watching your carbs.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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One head of cabbage shredded
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Three tablespoons of soy sauce
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One tablespoon of rice vinegar
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Minced garlic
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Ground ginger
How To Do It
Start by browning the ground turkey in a deep pan. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for two minutes. Add the cabbage and stir until it begins to wilt.
Pour the soy sauce and vinegar over the mixture. Stir everything together for five more minutes. You get all that nutty flavor without the greasy fried wrapper.
6. Mediterranean Turkey Cabbage Sauté
Let’s change things up with some Mediterranean flavors. Think lemon and oregano. This is a very fresh way to eat ground turkey. It feels like summer on a plate.
I find that cabbage works really well with lemon juice. It cuts through the richness of the meat. It makes the whole dish feel bright and energizing. Top it with feta cheese for a salty finish.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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Half a head of cabbage sliced
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One lemon juiced
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One teaspoon of dried oregano
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Two tablespoons of olive oil
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Feta cheese
How To Do It
Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the turkey until done. Add the cabbage and oregano to the pan. Sauté for about ten minutes until the cabbage is tender.
Turn off the heat and squeeze the lemon juice over the dish. Sprinkle with feta cheese. It is a healthy choice that does not taste like diet food.
7. Spicy Thai Turkey and Cabbage Wraps
Do you like a little bit of heat? These Thai wraps are so fun to eat. Instead of a pan, you can use large cabbage leaves as the wrap itself. It is a fun, hands-on dinner for the kids.
The filling uses ground turkey with lime juice and chili flakes. It is zesty and spicy at the same time. You get a lot of flavor in every single bite. It is a real game changer.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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One head of cabbage leaves
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Two tablespoons of lime juice
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One teaspoon of red chili flakes
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One tablespoon of soy sauce
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Fresh cilantro
How To Do It
Cook the ground turkey in a pan until fully cooked. Stir in the lime juice, chili flakes, and sauce. Carefully peel large leaves off the raw cabbage head.
Spoon the hot turkey mixture into the center of each leaf. Garnish with cilantro and wrap them up. It is a fresh take on a turkey dinner.
8. Turkey and Cabbage Soup with Beans
When the weather gets cold, nothing beats a big pot of soup. This recipe is very filling because it adds beans to the mix. It is a high protein meal that will keep you full for hours.
I suggest using white beans like cannellini. They are creamy and go well with turkey. The cabbage melts into the broth and becomes very sweet. Trust me, it is even better the next day.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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Four cups of chopped cabbage
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One can of white beans
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Six cups of chicken broth
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One can of diced tomatoes
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Italian seasoning
How To Do It
Brown the turkey in a large soup pot. Add the chopped cabbage and tomatoes. Pour in the chicken broth and the Italian seasoning. Bring the soup to a boil.
Lower the heat and add the beans. Simmer for twenty minutes before serving. This is a great way to use up half a head of cabbage.
9. Ground Turkey and Cabbage Casserole
Casseroles are the ultimate family dinner. They are easy to serve and everyone usually likes them. This one layers ground turkey with cabbage and a bit of cheese on top.
You can prep this in the morning and pop it in the oven when you get home. It is a great strategy for busy parents. It takes away the stress of cooking right before dinner time.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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Six cups of shredded cabbage
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One cup of shredded cheese
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One half cup of onion
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One half cup of heavy cream
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Salt and pepper
How To Do It
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Brown the turkey and onions in a pan. In a large bowl, mix the raw cabbage with the cooked turkey and cream.
Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top with cheese and bake for thirty minutes. Believe it or not, the cabbage tastes like noodles when it is baked.
10. BBQ Turkey and Cabbage Skillet
This might sound a bit strange, but bear with me. BBQ sauce and cabbage are a great match. It is a very fast meal. You just brown the turkey and add the cabbage.
It is sweet, smoky, and savory. Most kids love the taste of BBQ sauce. It makes the cabbage taste like a treat. It is a great way to introduce new vegetables to younger children.
Ingredients Needed
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One pound of ground turkey
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Four cups of shredded cabbage
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Half a cup of BBQ sauce
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One tablespoon of butter
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Onion powder
How To Do It
Melt the butter in a skillet and brown the turkey. Add the cabbage and onion powder. Cook for seven minutes until the cabbage is soft.
Pour the BBQ sauce over everything and stir well. Cook for two more minutes so the sauce gets sticky. It is a simple meal that delivers a lot of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I stop cabbage from smelling bad when I cook it?
A. The secret is not to overcook it. Cabbage only starts to smell when it is boiled for too long. If you sauté it or simmer it quickly, it stays fresh and sweet. Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice also helps.
2. Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
A. Absolutely. Ground chicken and ground turkey are very similar. Both are lean and take on the flavors of your spices. You can use whichever one is on sale at your store.
3. Is cabbage actually healthy for you?
A. Yes, it is a superfood. It has lots of Vitamin C and K. It is also great for your digestion because it has a lot of fiber. Plus, it is very low in calories, so you can eat a lot of it.
4. How do I store leftover cabbage and turkey?
A. You can keep these meals in an airtight container in the fridge for about three to four days. Most of these recipes also freeze very well. Just make sure they are completely cool before you put them in the freezer.
5. What is the easiest way to cut a cabbage?
A. First, cut the cabbage in half through the core. Then cut it into quarters. Slice out the hard core from each piece. Now you can easily shred it or chop it into squares.
Final Thoughts
I hope these recipes give you some fresh ideas for your weeknight dinners. Try one that looks interesting to you and see how it turns out in your kitchen.
If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to comment down. I will definitely reply to you.
And if there is any recipe or topic you want me to cover next, just leave your suggestion in the comments. I would be happy to create a detailed guide based on your ideas.