Use Cabbage And Ground Beef To Make A Filling And Warm Dinner Perfect For Cold Weather

Schmorkohl is a common dish that gets many Germans through the cold German winter months. It is satisfying, nourishing, comforting, and easy to make. It's also one of the easiest international dishes that make cabbage the star and a great way to use up a whole head of it. And you can make a filling rendition that's inspired by the classic German dish of delicious and rich braised cabbage with ground beef.

At its heart, Schmorkohl is all about cabbage. You typically cook it down, sautéing or pan-frying until it browns and caramelizes, which brings out its best flavor. Then, you braise it in vegetable or beef broth along with aromatics, spices like caraway seeds and paprika, and precooked ground meat. The meat adds protein and heartiness. Finally, you can top it with chopped parsley and sour cream, and the resulting dish makes for a cozy dinner entrée. Alternatively, the braised beef and cabbage can double as a filling or topping for other dishes. 

Creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or noodles are the perfect starchy vehicles for a topping of braised cabbage and beef. You can do the same with other starchy vehicles, like fluffy rice or noodles. You can also transform any basic baked potato into a gourmet meal by using your German-inspired cabbage and beef dish as a fun and delicious topping. You can also serve the dish with toast. The bread sops up all the delicious and savory braising liquid.

Or use this dish as a filling. Simply spoon it into a tortilla and roll it up for a cozy burrito you can enjoy on a busy weeknight. If you use a high-fiber tortilla wrap, you can easily give the whole dish an extra fiber boost. You can also spoon it into hollowed-out vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini or use it as the filling for hand pies.

If you've made extra braised cabbage and beef, store the dish in an airtight container. Cooked beef keeps in the fridge for up to three or four days. It can stay safe up to three months in the freezer. Reheat the leftovers, and once again, you'll have a warm dinner on the table to nourish you during the cold winter.