Description

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a flavorful and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, crunchy cabbage, fresh vegetables, and classic Southwestern ingredients like black beans, corn, and Fritos corn chips. Topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a creamy ranch or Southwest-style dressing, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning

Vegetables and Beans

4 cups chopped green cabbage
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup canned sweet corn, drained

Crunchy and Dairy Toppings

2 cups Fritos corn chips
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup ranch dressing or Southwest-style dressing

Instructions

Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat thoroughly to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
Season Beef: Add the taco seasoning packet along with a splash of water to the browned beef. Stir well and allow it to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Prepare Vegetables: While the beef is cooking, chop the green cabbage into bite-sized pieces and dice the tomatoes. Drain the canned black beans and sweet corn to remove excess liquid and keep the dish from becoming soggy.
Combine Ingredients: In a large serving bowl or casserole dish, layer the chopped cabbage, seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly without crushing the cabbage.
Add Crunch and Cheese: Top the mixture with crunchy Fritos corn chips, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top to add richness and texture contrast.
Dress and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the ranch or Southwest-style dressing over the assembled dish. Toss lightly if desired to coat the ingredients evenly, then serve immediately to enjoy the crisp textures.

Notes

For a spicier flavor, use a spicy taco seasoning or add diced jalapeños.
To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
Serve immediately after adding the dressing and chips to avoid sogginess.
Use low-fat cheese and dressing options for a lighter meal.
This dish is best enjoyed fresh; leftovers may become soft due to the chips and cabbage.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southwestern American

Keywords: Frito Cowboy Cabbage, Taco seasoned beef, Southwestern recipe, Ground beef cabbage dish, Easy weeknight dinner, Fritos recipe, Cheddar cheese salad, Ranch dressing