Let’s clear something up right away: this cabbage isn’t dirty in the way your mind might swerve to the gutter. It’s “dirty” the way New Orleans dirty rice is dirty — deeply savory, packed with browned meat, and seasoned with enough Cajun swagger to make plain old cabbage blush.
Ground beef and andouille sausage team up here to do some serious heavy lifting, laying down layers of smoky, spicy flavor before the cabbage even enters the chat. By the time everything simmers together, that humble head of cabbage has soaked up so much andouille-scented goodness it barely remembers its wallflower days at the produce stand.
“Zesty” really is the word for it — there’s heat from the Cajun seasoning, a little tang from the vinegar at the end, and just enough broth to make it saucy without turning it into soup. If you’re feeling extra hungry, ladle it over hot egg noodles garnished with scallions, and enjoy a dish that’s proof positive that “dirty” can be a compliment.
Dirty Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. lean ground sirloin beef
- 1 (12 oz.) package andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning, such as McCormick®
- 1 small green cabbage, sliced 1/4-inch-thick
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp. cider vinegar
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 8 oz. cooked egg noodles (optional)
Directions
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add ground beef; cook, stirring to crumble, until browned, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Add andouille sausage; cook, stirring often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate with beef.
- Reduce heat to medium; add scallions, red pepper, green pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until softened, 5 minutes. Add garlic, tomato paste, and Cajun seasoning; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in cabbage, ground beef, and sausage until fully incorporated. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Stir in vinegar and salt. Serve over hot egg noodles (optional) and garnish with scallions.
Adapted from a recipe for allrecipes.com
