Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

Introduction

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a hearty and flavorful skillet dish that combines ground beef, fresh cabbage, and zesty tomatoes with a crunchy Fritos topping. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 4 cups chopped green cabbage
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 cups Fritos corn chips
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare your ingredients by chopping the cabbage, onion, and bell pepper.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet; sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies and taco seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Step 5: Add the chopped cabbage, stirring until it’s coated with the tomato mixture. Cook until the cabbage is slightly wilted but still retains some crunch, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat. Top the mixture with Fritos corn chips and shredded cheddar cheese. Allow the cheese to melt from the residual heat.
7. Step 7: Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream on top, if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra spice, add a chopped jalapeño when sautéing the onion and bell pepper.
• Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter protein alternative.
• Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to give the dish a smoky kick.
• Serve over rice or wrapped in tortillas for a different presentation.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warm. Add fresh Fritos on top after reheating to maintain crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, black beans, or a plant-based meat alternative to keep the texture and protein content.

What can I use if I don’t have Fritos?

You can use crushed tortilla chips, corn chips, or even crunchy roasted chickpeas as a crunchy topping in place of Fritos.

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

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4.8 from 127 reviews

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a hearty and flavorful skillet dish combining lean ground beef, fresh green cabbage, and savory diced tomatoes with green chilies. Enhanced with taco seasoning and topped with crunchy Fritos and melted cheddar cheese, this easy one-pan meal offers a satisfying Tex-Mex twist on cabbage. Perfect for a quick dinner, it can be served with a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 4 cups chopped green cabbage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced

Pantry

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 2 cups Fritos corn chips

Dairy

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Chop the cabbage, dice the onion and bell pepper, and set aside all ingredients ready for cooking.
2. Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
3. Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies along with the taco seasoning. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Cook Cabbage: Add the chopped green cabbage to the skillet and stir well until the cabbage is coated with the seasoning mixture. Cook until the cabbage is slightly wilted but still retains a bit of crunch, approximately 3-4 minutes.
6. Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Top the warm cabbage and beef mixture with the Fritos corn chips and then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, allowing it to melt slightly. Serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream on the side if desired.

Notes

• For a spicier twist, add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when adding the tomatoes.
• Using lean ground beef helps reduce fat, but you can substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred.
• To keep the Fritos crispy, add them just before serving rather than cooking them with the mixture.
• If dairy-free, omit the sour cream and cheese or substitute with dairy-free alternatives.
• This dish is best enjoyed immediately as leftovers may cause the Fritos to become soggy.

Keywords: Frito Cowboy Cabbage, ground beef cabbage skillet, Tex-Mex cabbage recipe, quick cabbage skillet, taco seasoned cabbage