Garlic Butter Shrimp & Smoked Beef Sausage Cabbage Skillet

This is one of those easy skillet dinners that delivers plenty of flavor without making a pile of dishes. Juicy garlic butter shrimp, smoky beef sausage, and tender cabbage all come together in one hearty pan, making it a satisfying, low-fuss meal for any night of the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Shrimp and sausage together. Both bring their own flavor and texture to this hearty skillet.
• Cabbage instead of the usual grain. A lighter, low-carb base that still feels filling.
• One skillet, minimal cleanup. Everything comes together in the same pan.
• Ready in 35 minutes. A fast, flavorful dinner for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 12 oz smoked beef sausage, sliced
• ½ large head green cabbage, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp & Smoked Beef Sausage Cabbage Skillet

1. Season the shrimp. Season the shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

2. Brown the beef sausage. Heat the olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the smoked beef sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.

3. Cook the cabbage. Add 2 tbsp butter to the same skillet. Add the onion, bell pepper, and cabbage. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and lightly browned.

4. Add the garlic. Stir in the minced garlic, onion powder, and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.

5. Cook the shrimp. Push the cabbage mixture to one side of the skillet and add the remaining 1 tbsp butter. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until pink, opaque, and cooked through.

6. Bring everything together. Return the browned beef sausage to the skillet. Toss the shrimp, sausage, and cabbage together until everything is coated in the buttery seasonings.

7. Finish and serve. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, then serve hot.

Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Shrimp & Cabbage Skillet

• Let the sausage brown well. This builds extra flavor that carries through the whole dish.
• Don’t overcook the cabbage. Cooking it until just tender with some browning keeps a nice texture instead of turning it mushy.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp. Two to three minutes per side is enough; they’ll turn rubbery if left too long.
• Add the lemon juice at the end. This keeps its bright flavor from cooking off too much.

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp & Cabbage

This dish is a complete meal on its own, but crusty bread or a scoop of rice can be added if you’d like to round things out further.

Frequently Asked Questions