Filthier Cabbage

Ingredients

• 0.5 lb bacon (chopped and crisped; half a pack)
• 3 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 white onion (large, chunky chop)
• 1 red bell pepper (chunky chop)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (chunky chop)
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp Salt-Free Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning (or any other salt-free creole seasoning)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1.5 tsp salt (add more if desired)
• 3 cup beef broth (low sodium)
• 1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 1 jalapeño (minced)
• 1 green cabbage (large head, thick cut (approx 2.75 to 3 lbs))
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp black pepper (optional)
• red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Chop the bacon and cook in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp.

2. 2

   Remove the crisped bacon from the pot, reserving at least half of the rendered bacon fat in the pan.

3. 3

   Add the ground beef to the pot and cook over medium-high heat until a hard crust forms. Do NOT drain the fat.

4. 4

   Push the beef to the sides of the pot. Add the tomato paste to the center and cook for 2 minutes to develop flavor.

5. 5

   Add the chunky white onion, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to the pot and cook for another 3 minutes until they begin to sweat.

6. 6

   Add the all-purpose flour, Salt-Free Tony’s seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt to the pot.

7. 7

   Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.

8. 8

   Add the minced garlic and minced jalapeño, then simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

9. 9

   Add the thick-cut cabbage in batches, stirring until each batch is fully coated in the gravy.

10. 10

    Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer covered for 10-15 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your preferred texture.

11. 11

    Stir in the fresh parsley and the reserved crispy bacon. Taste one final time.

12. 12

    If the sauce is too runny, cook uncovered for a few minutes to reduce. Serve hot, optionally over jasmine rice.

Notes

The author recommends Salt-Free Tony's to better control the salt ratio while maximizing the creole flavor. The cabbage is cut into thick pieces to maintain texture and act as 'chips' for the sauce.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• comfort food
• one-pot
• beef
• cabbage
• creole
• savory
• dinner