Super Viral Cowboy Cabbage Recipe | Easy Skillet Dinner
Try this super viral cowboy cabbage recipe — a hearty, easy skillet dinner made with ground beef, cabbage, and bold flavors. Perfect for weeknight meals or potluck favorites.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Knife and cutting board
- Skillet (for bacon or chicken)
- Whisk for dressing
- Serving platter
Ingredients
- ½ head green or red cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup cooked chicken or bacon (optional)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or cotija cheese
Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Toppings: corn chips, Fritos, or tortilla strips
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: Shred cabbage finely. Dice peppers. Drain beans and corn.
- Cook Protein (optional): Cook chicken or bacon until done, then chop.
- Mix Base: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, beans, corn, peppers, and protein.
- Whisk Dressing: Blend mayo or yogurt with lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss Salad: Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss gently.
- Top & Serve: Sprinkle cheese, jalapeños, and crunchy chips before serving.
- Tip: Keep chips separate until serving to maintain crunch.
Notes
- Green cabbage offers classic crunch; red cabbage adds color and sweetness.
- Protein options: shredded chicken, crispy bacon, or beans for vegetarian.
- Cheese choices: cheddar for sharpness, pepper jack for spice, cotija for authentic Tex‑Mex.
- Dressing can be customized with ranch, chipotle crema, or Greek yogurt.
- Store components separately; dressed salad keeps for 1–2 days.
- Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or game‑day spreads.