Dirty Cabbage with Smoked Turkey Sausages

A Big Pan of Cabbage That Eats Like a Meal

This dirty cabbage with smoked turkey sausages is one of those meals that looks a little simple at first, but once it’s done and you take that first bite, it just makes sense. You’ve got soft cabbage, smoky sausage, ground beef, peppers, onions, and all that seasoning cooking down together in one big pan. It’s the kind of dish that feels easy, a little messy, and very filling in the best way.

I like this recipe because it doesn’t try to be fancy. You chop, you brown, you let it all cook down, and before you know it, you’ve got a full skillet that smells like something you’d want to eat with a big spoon straight from the pan. The cabbage softens but still has a little bite, the sausage brings in that smoked flavor, and the ground beef makes it hearty enough to stand alone as a full dinner.

The first time I made it, I honestly just wanted to use up a head of cabbage and some sausage sitting in the fridge. But my family ended up loving it way more than I expected. Now it’s one of those recipes that shows up when we want something simple, warm, and a little bit old-school. If you like cabbage dishes that actually feel like a full meal, this one is worth trying.

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Why This Recipe Just Works

What I like most about this dish is how everything cooks together in one pan. The sausage gives it that smoky flavor right away, and the ground beef adds enough richness to make it feel like a full dinner on its own. Then the cabbage cooks down with the onions and peppers, and all the seasoning just wraps around everything. It’s simple, but it turns into something really satisfying.

Another thing that makes this recipe work so well is that nothing in it is complicated. You don’t need a special technique or a long list of ingredients. You just put things in the pan, let them cook, and they come together on their own. Even the seasoning doesn’t need to be perfect. A little Cajun, a little garlic, a little onion powder—just enough to give the cabbage some life.

And the best part is how filling it is. Cabbage might seem light, but once it’s mixed with sausage and beef, it becomes a full meal without needing much else. Some people like to eat it with rice or cornbread, but honestly, it’s good straight from the pan too. It’s just one of those dishes that does its job without trying too hard.

What You’ll Need for This Dish

The ingredients for this recipe are all pretty basic, and that’s one of the reasons it’s so easy to make. Nothing fancy here—just things you can grab at the store without thinking too much about it.

Main Ingredients
• Green cabbage
• Smoked turkey sausage, sliced
• Ground beef
• Onion, chopped
• Green bell pepper
• Red bell pepper

Seasonings
• Cajun seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Salt

Cooking Base
• A little olive oil or any cooking oil you like

That’s really it. Even though the list is short, everything brings something different to the pan. The sausage gives it flavor, the beef makes it hearty, and the cabbage ties it all together once it softens down. It’s a simple mix, but it turns into a meal that feels much bigger than the ingredients.

How to Make It

The steps for this dish are really simple. Everything happens in the same big pan, and once you start cooking, it all comes together pretty easily.

Prepare the ingredients
Start by cutting the cabbage into big pieces so it doesn’t turn into mush while cooking. Slice the sausage into rounds, and chop the onions and peppers. Once everything is prepped, the rest goes fast.

Brown the sausage
Heat a little oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage slices and cook them until both sides get some color. The sausage gives off a little smoky flavor as it browns, which helps the whole dish later. Once it looks good, take it out and set it aside.

Cook the ground beef
Use the same pan. Add the ground beef and season it lightly with some of the spices. Cook it until it’s browned and crumbly. If there’s extra grease, drain it. Then set the beef aside with the sausage.

Cook the cabbage and vegetables
Add the cabbage to the pan, then the onions and peppers on top. Sprinkle more seasoning over everything. It might look like too much cabbage at first, but it cooks down a lot. Stir things around so the cabbage gets coated with the spices.

Let it simmer
Cover the pan and let it cook over medium to low heat. The cabbage will soften and release its own liquid, so you don’t need to add anything extra. Stir it every few minutes so nothing burns. After 15–20 minutes, it should be soft and starting to take on some color.

Combine everything
Once the cabbage is tender, add the sausage and ground beef back into the pan. Mix everything together and let it cook for a few more minutes so the flavors blend.

Serve
That’s it. Serve it hot. It’s good on its own, but it also goes really well with rice or cornbread if you want something on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Simple Skillet Meal That Feels Like Home

This dirty cabbage with smoked turkey sausages is one of those meals that doesn’t look like much at first, but once everything cooks down and comes together in the pan, it turns into something really comforting. The cabbage gets soft, the sausage brings in that smoky flavor, and the beef makes it filling enough to count as a full dinner without needing anything fancy on the side.

My family enjoyed this dish a lot, and it’s one of those recipes that I know I’ll keep making on busy days. It’s easy, it’s warm, and it tastes even better the next day. I hope you give it a try soon, because there’s a good chance it’ll end up in your regular rotation too.