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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.
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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

106 responses to “Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry”

  1. Marlene Mchugh Avatar
    Marlene Mchugh

    I made this for the first time using ground turkey. It was fantastic. I have tried it with ground chicken and ground beef also but prefer the ground turkey. Its very budget friendly. The flavors make you think its a high priced meal but the it cost so little in reality. Its the only reason I buy ground turkey. Its just so very good. We have it weekly now.

    Keep up the great recipes.

  2. Diane Avatar

    5 stars
    WOW…just wow! I wasn’t expecting such healthy ingredients to taste so incredibly delicious, but my entire family (including two young boys) gobbled it up! I think the spices give this dish amazing depth, and it’s so healthy! I served it with sliced apples on the side. This is a definite keeper and a fabulous way to incorporate cabbage into dinners; thank you!

  3. Colleen Avatar
    Colleen

    Ok thank you! BTW, it’s supposed to say “family” not “filt” sorry!

  4. Colleen Avatar

    Hi Katie!
    Thanks for sharing, I made this recipe and my whole filt loves it! Just one question…do you drain the beef fat after browning?
    Thank you!

  5. Debra Avatar

    I love this! I have been making it for several years. Sometimes I will just use a bag of coleslaw mix (cabbage and grated carrots only). I have added red pepper flakes, garlic, salsa or tomato sauce, sometimes add bell peppers if I have some on hand, ALWAYS put onion, salt, and black pepper in it. So good and low carb! My husband and I both have type 2 diabetes. This is a great recipe for diabetics.

  6. Kathy R. Avatar

    4 stars
    This sounds like a delish dish but as it is just me it would be way to much. Is it possible to freeze this recipe?

  7. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    5 stars
    This is the first Wellness Mama recipe I have made and I LOVED it. I made the Chinese version of it. The best part was getting to use my new food processor to prepare the veggies.

  8. Wilson Avatar

    My family have alergies of spices, papers and most herbs.
    Where can I get suitable receipies?

  9. emily Avatar

    4 stars
    Hello, can you please clarify something that I find a bit confusing. The spices : by garlic, do you mean fresh garlic or powdered garlic? what about the herbs? Are basil, thyme and oregano supposed to be dry or fresh?thank you

  10. Lenah Avatar

    I loved this meal! I want for sure what to call it so I said cabbage hamburger stir fry casserole and I should have came up with a better name for it. My son ate half of his on bread and butter. (He went from eating everything to bread butter etc and very picky) and all 4 of the rest of the family ate it. Bit they said it was missing something missing, like it was bland but I thought it was delicious we did the basic recipe with eggs and turned it into a casserole…I thought it was great and like grandmas cooking but it wasn’t there favorite…I think its in there mind though lol BC I told them it was new etc…my grandparents I think are losing there taste buds and just go off memory I think of what they ate before. I was just wondering o anyone else noticed this??? Thank you so much for the recipe!!!I live it and will try it again this time with chicken stock…any over ideas would be appreciated! Thank you -Lenah

  11. Anna Avatar

    We aren’t eating carrots (or beets, peas, or legumes) right now. =( What would you suggest as a replacement? Would Rutabaga be too bitter?

  12. Jenifer Avatar

    I made this yesterday, had it with sour cream and hot sauce. It was good, but something was missing. Tonight I was inspired to use it in making a burger! I heated it up in the oven along with some Cheshire cheese and had it with roasted onions and garlic, with ketchup and mustard of course, on whole wheat Chia and Flax seed bread from the local Fresh & Easy market. It was yummy, and I realized I like this better than the usual hamburger patty, And of course it is healthier, too. Thanks! 🙂

  13. Amanda Avatar

    Tried this recipe tonight and all I can say is THANK YOU!!! Having adrenal burnout plus two kids makes dinner planning/prep tough but this is fast, easy, nutritious and delicious.

  14. Hannah Avatar

    I googled ground beef cabbage recipes and found this. I tried it last night with some picky cabbage hating kids. They were skeptical at first but I noticed that the mixture looks just like taco salad or taco filling without a shell as I was cooking it. So I put some tortilla chips on the plate and rice for a side. They scooped it or crumpled chips on it with salsa. It tastes like taco salad for the winter months (because it’s warm instead of cool.) my seasonings were garlic (lots), smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and cumin. It was great! My stepson said that when I said it looked like taco filling without the shell suddenly he could eat it. He hates cabbage but he ate every bite! I liked it best mixed with brown rice, quinoa, salsa and crumbled tortilla chips. Thank you for a great recipe. I’m looking for more now. 🙂

  15. Patricia Avatar
    Patricia

    I made this tonight for dinner. One of my boys said we should have it 3x a week! We all enjoyed it. I put in some turmeric with a lot of other spices, nice color. Thank you for the recipe. I loved how quick and easy it was to make!

  16. Ivy Avatar

    This was a wonderful recipe!! My family loves it will a dollop of sour cream on top. We didn’t have oregano, so I used rosemary, instead, and it tasted like Shepherd’s Pie. A new fave. Thanks for sharing!!

  17. Nikki Avatar

    Mmm! I have had this recipe on my “to try” list and finally have it a go tonight. So yummy! We tried it as described and also with an Asian twist. Loved both!

    Your reference to hamburger helper had me thinking that it would also be super yummy topped with Food Renegade’s cheese sauce. Mmm!

  18. Chloe Avatar

    My grandma used to make those baked cabbage rolls stuffed with tomato, beef, rice and meat– I love to use this approximate recipe as a jumping off point for a really awesome “stuffed cabbage tribute” soup. Basically I just do what you’ve done, only I use lots of chunky-sliced carrots and parsnips instead of just grated carrots. Then I just add diced, canned tomatoes and enough homemade beef stock (made with oxtails if possible–my favorite!) to cover and simmer until everything is hot and fork-tender. I also add a good splash of apple cider vinegar to each serving instead of salting at the table (I find that people often automatically add salt to things, when what they’re really craving is a shot of sour). I load it with fresh minced garlic, too, so between that, the bone broth, and the cabbage, you end up with a really comforting, nourishing soup that’s great for recovering after an illness or other rough patch.

    You can also add rice if you’re into that; my grandma’s original cabbage rolls always had rice in them, but I don’t add it to the soup and I don’t miss it.

  19. Ruth Avatar

    I made this tonight for my family! Whoooowheeee! I’m so happy you shared the recipe. Everyone ate it up. Including my 2 and 3 year old:)

4.43 from 19 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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