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Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

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cabbage stir fry
Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Switching to real food can be a shock to the food bill. This beef and cabbage stir fry though is the exception. It’s one of my go-to easy recipes since it’s fast and inexpensive to make. Even my one year-old will eat cabbage when I make it this way!

I love this beef and cabbage stir-fry recipe because it comes together quickly and easily. This is a one-pan main dish and packs a delicious punch of nutrition. It’s like Hamburger Helper’s healthy cousin.

Cabbage Stir Fry Ingredients

Our family loves the Asian flavors of this dish and the umami flavor of the coconut aminos. It tastes like regular or low-sodium soy sauce but without the soy. Served over cauliflower fried rice it’s also a great low-carb meal. We like it over white rice too.

I use onions, carrots, and cabbage as the vegetables in this. You could add or sub other ingredients too, like napa cabbage or bell peppers. And if you want a side dish instead of a main meal, leave out the beef.

There are a lot of variations to this recipe that you can try. Instead of using the Asian-inspired sauce use different spices mixed into the stir fry:

  • Add cumin, chili powder, cilantro, and salsa to make a Mexican version
  • Add a dozen eggs after it’s cooked and bake to make a casserole
  • Add Italian seasoning for an Italian version

Get the Kids Involved

Let the kids help prepare this cabbage stir-fry by letting them cut the vegetables. Even really little ones can use a crinkle cutter to safely cut veggies. I find my kids are more likely to eat a recipe if they help prepare it. Plus it keeps them busy and happy while I cook. (This is the crinkle cutter we have)

You can take it a step further and get the kids involved with helping grow the veggies for the cabbage stir fry! Gardening is a therapy of its own and I make time every summer for one. When kids help make their own food, or better yet grow it, they’re more willing to try new recipes.

How to Make Cabbage Stir Fry

This is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make! While the ingredients list may seem a little long, it really pulls together fast. If you’re in a really big hurry you could even use a pre-made sauce or seasoning mix for the Asian version. Something like this sesame ginger vinaigrette made with avocado oil would be a tasty option.

Once you’ve chopped your veggies (or let the kids do it!), it’s just a matter of cooking them until soft. Add the cooked ground beef and simmer it all in the stir-fry sauce. I like cooking everything until it’s soft, not mushy, but some may prefer their veggies with a bit more crunch to them.

My original version of this recipe has more of an Italian flavor to it. But the Asian-flavored stir fry is just as good too!

cabbage stir fry

Original Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Beef and cabbage stir fry that's fast and simple to make. Flavor variations make this recipe versatile and kid-approved.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Calories 241kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

4 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large skillet or wok, brown the ground beef.
  • When the beef is almost completely browned, add the sliced onions and grated carrots.
  • When onions and carrots are starting to soften, mix in the cabbage and all the spices.
  • Cook about 10 more minutes, stirring often until cabbage starts to soften.
  • Top with salsa or sour cream if desired and enjoy.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Original Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 241 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 925mg40%
Potassium 952mg27%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 5440IU109%
Vitamin C 70mg85%
Calcium 121mg12%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

There are a lot of variations to this recipe that you can try:
  • Add cuminchili powder, and salsa to make a Mexican version
  • Try the Asian version below!
cabbage stir fry

Asian Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

This Chinese takeout-inspired beef and cabbage stir-fry is fast and simple to make.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Calories 294kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

4 people

Equipment

Ingredients

For the sauce:

For the stir fry:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, venison, etc.)
  • 2 small onions (thinly sliced)
  • 2 medium carrots (grated)
  • 1 small head green cabbage (or any kind, chopped)

For topping:

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
  • In a large skillet or wok, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat.
  • When the meat is almost completely browned, add the sliced onions.
  • When the onions are starting to soften, mix in the carrots and cabbage.
  • Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring often until the cabbage starts to soften.
  • Stir in the sauce and bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce heat, and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the veggies are no longer crunchy.
  • Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds and enjoy on its own or over rice.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Asian Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
Amount Per Serving
Calories 294 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 823mg36%
Potassium 864mg25%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 5347IU107%
Vitamin C 70mg85%
Calcium 107mg11%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

This reheats well on the stovetop for a yummy weeknight dinner.

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

More One Pan Meals

Need a few more easy dinner options in your meal plan?

What’s your family’s favorite go-to weeknight meal? Share in the comments below!

Beef and cabbage stir fry comes together in minutes and only needs one pan for a delicious, fast and healthy meal. Healthy alternative to hamburger helpers.
Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

104 responses to “Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry”

  1. Kristen Santos Avatar
    Kristen Santos

    Did you recently update this recipe? I thought the original recipe didn’t have a sauce and just had seasoning combos.. it was one of my faves! Sorry if I’m mistaken

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      It was recently updated so that the Asian flavors version is now the featured recipe and the other flavor combinations are given as different options. The previous version was more Italian themed with garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme.

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