Description
This Turkish Cabbage Stew is a comforting, flavorful dish featuring tender cabbage simmered with ground beef or lamb, aromatic spices, and rich tomato paste. Perfect for a hearty meal, it combines the warmth of paprika and cumin with the subtle kick of red pepper flakes, delivering a traditional Anatolian flavor profile in a simple, one-pot preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Butter
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
Vegetables
- 1 large red onion, very finely chopped
- 1 medium cabbage head, thick stem removed, washed, and roughly chopped
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: Place a Dutch oven over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter to create a flavorful base for the stew.
- Sauté the Onion: Add the finely chopped red onion to the melted butter and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, enhancing the stew’s sweetness.
- Brown the Meat: Incorporate the ground beef or lamb into the pot. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon until it is nicely browned and cooked through.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, red pepper flakes, sweet paprika, cumin, dried coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture for about 1 minute to let the spices release their flavors and meld with the meat.
- Add Cabbage and Broth: Mix in the roughly chopped cabbage and pour the beef broth over the ingredients, combining everything evenly.
- Simmer the Stew: Cover the Dutch oven and reduce the heat if necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Let the stew cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage becomes tender and the flavors fully develop.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stew and modify seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Using ground lamb instead of beef adds a richer, earthier flavor typical of Turkish cuisine.
- For a spicier stew, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the beef broth used is gluten-free as some brands may contain additives.
- This stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a side of rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: Turkish cabbage stew, ground beef cabbage recipe, hearty cabbage stew, one pot stew, Turkish comfort food
