The adjustment to eating real food can be a shock to the food bill, but this recipe is the exception. This is one of my go-to recipes because it is 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 and only gets one pan dirty! It is a healthy version of Hamburger Helper and it packs a delicious punch of nutrition.
TIP: Let the children help prepare this stir-fry by letting them cut the vegetables. Even really little ones can use a crinkle cutter to safely cut veggies. I find that my kids are more likely to eat a recipe if they help prepare it and it keeps them busy and happy while I cook. (This is the crinkle cutter we have)
There are also a lot of variations to this recipe:
- Add cumin, chili powder, and salsa to make a Mexican version
- Add fermented soy sauce or coconut aminos and ginger to make a Chinese variation
- Add a dozen eggs after it is cooked and bake to make a casserole
Another simple one-pan recipe that is a favorite at our house is Pakistani kima, which also uses ground beef as well as sweet potato and green beans as the vegetables and seasons with a hint of curry.
The herbs and spices I use for this recipe and many others can be found on my resources page.
Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, venison, etc.)
- 2 small onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 medium carrots (grated)
- 1 small head of cabbage (chopped)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp basil
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ cup salsa (or sour cream, optional)
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.
Notes
- Add cumin, chili powder, and salsa to make a Mexican version
- Add fermented soy sauce or coconut aminos and ginger to make a Chinese variation
- Add a dozen eggs after it is cooked and bake to make a casserole
Nutrition
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What is your best quick go-to dinner recipe? Share below!
Omega-3 vs Omega-6
I just made the Mexican version (swapped the carrots for peppers) and it’s AMAZING! I found this website 3 weeks ago and have since been making everything from toothpaste to shampoo. My husband keeps rolling his eyes, but the other day I came down to find him swishing around coconut oil 😉
so happy for you
So simple and easy! Your dollop of sour cream on top looks divine. I recently found a soy + dairy FREE “sour cream” recipe on Healthful Pursuit (.com). I think I’m going to make this recipe and the mock sour cream this weekend. You’ve inspired me! Thanks!
Thanks for the recipe/idea. We had it last night and it was DELICIOUS!
So funny, I have made this recipe once before and my husband and I loved it! Thought I would make it again and I was SO bummed I couldn’t find it! Very glad you re-posted it 🙂 Although I think I remembered the recipe pretty well!
Mmm…nom, nom. Thanks for the dinner idea for tonight. Looks tasty and healthy. Would this go well with Quinoa?
I am trying this asap. It looks delicious. Also, I am not a skilled cook so when I see “season to taste” I skip the recipe. THANK YOU for listing specific seasonings and at least an idea of how much you use of each. That gives people like me a starting point which is very helpful let alone time- and money-saving. I hope you give more measurements to your recipes in the future. They all sound so good. Those good cooks can take it and run with it; me, I need a little help in the starting block. 🙂
Love your blog…thank you.
Love this and cannot wait to try it….simple and healthy. I’ve used so many of your recipes from food to household and beauty products. You’ve really inspired me to take the time to create my own products rather than buy unhealthy and processed products. I find it’s as easy to make these products as it is to walk into the store and buy it. I feel so much better raising my children with these natural products. Thanks for the time you put into researching, experimenting and sharing your finds. I trust your recipes and advice…..I wish we were neighbors! 🙂
Thank you so much and thanks for reading 🙂
This is very good and simple. I made the version with salsa, cumin and chili powder. Be sure you add enough to give it some good flavor. Next time I may try using a pasta sauce in it. Very inexpensive and makes a lot, so you have leftovers!
how long would you bake it for a casserole?
I’d guess about an hour, but I don’t remember how long I cooked it last time I made it that way.
This is REALLY good! I added the S&P, thyme, basil, oregano, garlic…and then at the end a bit of worcestershire sauce (organic w no msg). REALLY REALLY nice! I’m making it again tonight by request as it was a big hit last week.