Let me show you my favorite way to use up a leftover head of cabbage. This German cabbage recipe (Schmorkohl) is made from braised cabbage with ground beef, and seasoned with paprika and caraway seeds.
I make this dish almost every time after making German Cabbage Rolls using up the leftover cabbage. It is surprising how many meals you can get out of one cabbage head.
By popular demand, this reader-favorite recipe made it into my debut cookbook, German Kitchen-Classic Dishes!
What is Schmorkohl
Schmorkohl is a traditional German dish and translates as "braised cabbage". Schmoren is the German word for braising and Kohl is the word for cabbage. To make this braised cabbage dish, the cabbage is first fried and then cooked in broth. There are many different ways to cook it. Here is another recipe where Schmorkohl: German Bratwurst and Cabbage Recipe
How to make German Braised Cabbage with Ground Beef
This traditional German cabbage dish is super quick to make. It takes around 30 minutes and thus is a perfect mid-week meal.
Key Ingredients:
- Cabbage - you can use green, white, or savoy cabbage for this recipe. I used white cabbage in my pictures
- Onions - yellow or red onions
- Garlic
- ground beef /minced beef - I used lean ground beef for this recipe
- tomato paste - this gives the dish a nice red tint but also adds to the roasting flavor.
- beef broth - for simmering the cabbage
- spices - sweet paprika, caraway seeds, salt, pepper
- To serve - parsley and sour cream
Schmorkohl Recipe Steps
Wash the cabbage and remove the outer leaves. Quarter through the stem, remove the dense core with a sharp knife, and discard. You can either slice the cabbage in fine strips with a knife or shred it with a mandolin (like I have done).
In a large pot, heat the oil. Fry the ground beef until it starts to brown and break apart so it crumbles. Add the onions and garlic to the meat and fry for a further 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and mix it into the beef. Cook for a minute for the roasting flavors to develop. Season with salt, pepper, caraway seeds, paprika, salt, pepper and sugar.
Add the cabbage and fry for a further two minutes. Deglaze the fried cabbage and beef mixture with the beef broth. Cook for 15-20 minutes with the lid on, until the cabbage is cooked. The cabbage should still have some bite to it. Serve with chopped parsley and a dollop of sour cream.
What to serve with Beef and Cabbage
This sauteed cabbage with beef dish tastes great with potatoes, pasta, or rice. I like to serve it with a little yogurt or sour cream to add some freshness to this tasty dish.
How to store
You can store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 2-3 days. This dish is also very suitable for freezing, where it should last up to 6 months.
More German Cabbage Recipes
Recipe
Easy German Cabbage with Ground Beef (Schmorkohl)
Ingredients
- 2 lb (1 kg ) cabbage green or white cabbage, or savoy cabbage
- 2 onions about 200 g
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 lb (500 g) ground beef / minced beef
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon carraway seeds
- 1 pinch sugar
- 2 cups (500 ml) beef broth
- salt
- pepper
To serve
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves
- 4 tablespoon sour cream
Instructions
- Wash the cabbage and remove the outer leaves. Quarter through the stem, remove the dense core with a sharp knife, and discard. You can either slice the cabbage in fine strips with a knife or shred it with a mandolin (like I have done).2 lb cabbage
- Finely chop the onions and garlic.2 onions, 2 cloves garlic
- In a large pot, heat the oil. Fry the ground beef until it starts to brown and break apart so it crumbles. Add the onions and garlic to the meat and fry for a further 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste. Cook for a minute for the roasting flavors to develop. Then add the cabbage and briefly fry with the beef.2 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 lb ground beef / minced beef , 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- Deglaze the cabbage and beef mixture with the beef broth. Season with salt, pepper, caraway seeds, paprika and sugar.1 tablespoon sweet paprika powder , 1 teaspoon carraway seeds, 1 pinch sugar, 2 cups beef broth, salt, pepper
- Cook for 15-20 minutes with the lid on, until the cabbage is cooked. The cabbage should still have some bite to it. Serve with chopped parsley and a dollop of sour cream.2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, 4 tablespoon sour cream
Video
Nutrition
Love this authentic German recipe?
This is one of 65 traditional dishes featured in my cookbook, German Kitchen-Classic Dishes - all tested, perfected, and handpicked by readers like you!
AKM says
This one is a keeper! I used a one-pound bag of cole slaw mix, so the only thing that took up any time was chopping the onions. Great for a weeknight dinner, when you want some comfort food and you want it fast. It tasted even better tonight as leftovers! Don’t skip the sour cream!
Marita Sinden says
Yay thank you so much for your feedback! I am glad you liked it! Have a great weekend! Marita
Terry says
Easy to make and tastes fantastic.
Marita Sinden says
Thank you Terry, It is one of my favorites as well
Lisa Garrett says
Wow!!! This is so delicious! Not what I expected, and easy.
Marita Sinden says
Thank you Lisa! I am glad you ejoyed it! It it also one of our favorite mid-week recipes.
Luke says
Super easy to make, and very tasty! Goes great with some sort of potatoes.
Marita Sinden says
Thanks Luke I am glad you enjoyed it
Gilly says
Our German friends made this traditional meal for our family years ago. We make it now with our left-over cabbage, beef and pork mince and serve it with sweet and English potato mash. So good!!
Marita Sinden says
Hey Gilly! Thanks for the feedback! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Cyndi says
This was really very good! Super tasty and quick to make! I did cook some chopped bacon that I needed to use before starting with the rest of the ingredients, and it went together well 🙂 Served it with rice. Big hit with the family!!
Marita Sinden says
Thank your Cyndi! I am glad your family enjoyed it!
Dr Harry says
I love all you recipes ! I am making your Doener for Maifest in Columbus ,Ohio next week
Marita Sinden says
Thank you Harry for your kind comments! Let me know how you think of the Döner recipe!
Best Wishes
Marita