This Ground Beef and Cabbage recipe is an easy, budget-friendly ground beef cabbage recipe full of flavor. It is a gluten-free and dairy-free dinner.
This one pan meal isn't your usual fried dish. You don't have to prepare an Asian stir-fry sauce with soy sauce, ginger, onion, and garlic.
Instead, it's a simple homemade version that requires no special ingredients.
This recipe was updated in November 2024 with new photos, video, and tips.
Ground Beef and Cabbage
Try these cabbage recipes next: ground chicken and cabbage or inside out egg roll.
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Ingredients For Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe
- Cabbage - you can use chopped or shredded cabbage. Slice it similar to coleslaw but into thicker strips. A bag of coleslaw mix is also a convenient option.
- Beef - I typically opt for lean ground beef, which is a healthier choice with less fat to drain.
- Shredded Carrots - in our house, cabbage and carrots go hand in hand. Carrots add a subtle sweetness to ground beef stir fry. You can also use grated sweet potato or bell peppers cut into strips.
- Tomato paste - I recommend using high-quality tomato paste in a tube (from an Italian brand).
Readers Feedback
I tried it! It came out delicious. my family really loved it. Everyone dished out twice.
- Emily, our reader
Can I Substitute the Beef?
While I'm using ground beef for this stir-fry recipe, feel free to substitute other ground meat proteins!
🍗 Ground chicken or turkey work just as well, or you can try adding bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs or breasts.
That's the great thing about stir-fry - it's a flexible "use what you have" kind of meal.
🌱 Vegan/vegetarian option: substitute beef with plant-based protein.
Finely chopped tofu or tempeh crumbles (seriously tasty!) are great alternatives.
How To Make Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry Step-By-Step
- Start with beef. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
- Saute onion. In the same skillet saute onion and cook until translucent.
- Add carrots. Follow with grated carrot and cook until the carrot becomes soft.
- Add tomato sauce/paste and veggie stock (or a bouillon cube mixed in with water) and stir well.
- Simmer. Let the carrots and onions simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add cabbage, add salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Combine ingredients, stir well, cover, and simmer until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Return the cooked beef, stir, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives, and serve while hot.
- Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt!
What Else Can I Add?
Wondering what else can you add to this ground beef with cabbage stir fry recipe?
To make it a more fulfilling meal consider one of the following recipe variations:
- Add rice: Cook ½ cups of rice. Add it to the beef mixture and stir for a couple of minutes until combined.
- Low carb: Use grated broccoli or cauliflower rice as a low-carb option.
- Sauces: Instead of tomato sauce, use taco, salsa, or BBQ sauce.
- Asian flavors: Swap tomato sauce for soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- Spicy kick: Add some red pepper flakes, chili powder, or Tabasco.
- Add more veggies: Diced tomatoes, bell peppers, cremini mushrooms, peas, or sprouted mung beans.
- Garlic: Mince 1-2 garlic cloves and add them right after the onions.
Julia's Tip: I prefer using green cabbage, but red cabbage should work fine too. Just remember that it has a different flavor and will give your meal a purple hue.
What To Serve With Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe
This recipe is really satisfying on its own.
Cabbage has a way of filling you up, almost like a starch replacement.
But if you want to make it even heartier, you can serve it over white rice or Asian noodles like ramen, udon, or soba.
Here are some delicious side dish options:
- With a Salad: Mediterranean cucumber salad, or Tomato basil mozzarella salad, and readers' favorite Marinated cucumber, tomato and onion salad
- With a Soup: Pumpkin soup
- With Sides: Mashed potatoes, or whipped Sweet potatoes, sauteed Green beans, air fryer Cauliflower, dinner rolls, or Brussels sprouts
How To Chop Cabbage For Frying?
Chopping cabbage for frying is quite simple. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Start by removing any outer leaves that are wilted or damaged.
- Cut the cabbage in half through the core.
- Place the cut side of the cabbage half down on the cutting board to keep it stable.
- With a sharp knife, slice the cabbage thinly from top to bottom, creating long, thin strips.
- Rotate the cabbage half as needed to continue slicing until you've chopped the entire half.
- If you prefer smaller pieces, you can crosscut the long strips into smaller chunks.
- Repeat the process with the other half of the cabbage if needed.
What To Do With Leftover Cabbage?
Not sure what to do with the leftover half of the cabbage?
How about trying air-fried cabbage or Cabbage steaks for a crispy and tasty side dish?
Or, you could make fermented cabbage (real sauerkraut) to add a tangy twist to your meals.
Another tasty option is to make recipes like Cabbage casserole which pairs perfectly with Pork tenderloin or Roasted turkey.
Follow my best tips on how to store cabbage - a whole head of cabbage or slices.
Storing Leftovers
Stir fries and skillets, like this one, hold up nicely when stored.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
You can also freeze this recipe for later. It'll keep for about two to three months in the freezer.
Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in a skillet when you're ready to enjoy it again.
How To Meal Prep
This easy and delicious dish is fast and easy to make!
To make it ahead of time, follow these simple steps:
- Allow the stir-fry to cool down completely.
- Take your meal prep containers and portion out the mixture into each one. You can add some cooked rice as well. Seal them tightly with the lid.
- When you're ready for a quick lunch, grab one container and microwave it for 2 minutes before serving.
Ground Beef Recipes
I have a variety of beef recipes for you to try, start with these readers' favorites:
Cabbage Recipes
Check out this extensive roundup collection of the best cabbage recipes.
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Ground Beef and Cabbage (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ of a medium cabbage, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, grated or julienned
- 3 tablespoon tomato sauce or paste
- ½ cup beef broth, or vegetable broth
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika, regular or smoked
- 1 medium to large onion
- 2-3 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking
INSTRUCTIONS
- Start with beef. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook until ground beef is cooked and golden brown. Drain the fat if needed and set aside.1 pound lean ground beef, salt and pepper, 2-3 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking
- In the same skillet, add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the grated carrot and cook until the carrot becomes soft.1 medium to large onion, 1 medium carrot
- Add tomato sauce/paste and veggie stock or mix in a bouillon cube with water and stir. Let the carrots and onions simmer for 2-3 minutes.3 tablespoon tomato sauce or paste, ½ cup beef broth
- Follow with cabbage, add salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Let simmer under a closed lid (stirring occasionally) until cabbage becomes soft.½ of a medium cabbage, salt and pepper, 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
- Return the cooked beef, stir, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives and serve while hot.
- Tip: I like my cabbage to still have a little crunch, so I only cooked it until it was partially wilted. If you prefer your cabbage fully cooked and soft, just cook it a bit longer.
VIDEO
NOTES
- The recipe makes about 4-5 smaller servings.
- Store the food in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. When reheating in the skillet, add a bit of liquid, like water or broth, to revive the flavors.
-
Storing leftovers:
- Stir fries and skillets, like this one, hold up nicely when stored. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- You can also freeze this recipe for later. It'll keep for about two to three months in the freezer.
- Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in a skillet when ready to enjoy it again.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Frequently Asked Questions
One popular dish made with ground beef and cabbage is a delicious stir fry cooked in a skillet with onions and other vegetables.
For a variation, add some crushed red pepper for a little kick, or switch out the ground beef for ground turkey to make it lighter.
In addition to cabbage and ground beef, you can include rice, noodles, green onions, red peppers, or even cauliflower for added flavor and texture.
Yes, you can definitely use leftover ground beef to make this stir fry.
Reheat the meat in the skillet and add the cabbage and other ingredients.
Yes, you can cook ground beef and vegetables together!
It's common in stir-fries, casseroles, tacos, and soups.
Cooking them together helps blend the flavors, and it's easy because you can make a whole meal in one pan.
Just cook the ground beef all the way first, then add the veggies and cook until they're done the way you like.
There are several reasons why your ground beef might taste weird. Some possible reasons include:
1. Spoilage: Check the expiration date and smell for any strong, unpleasant odors.
2. Contamination: Ensure thorough cooking to kill harmful bacteria.
3. Seasoning: Review the ingredients list for unfamiliar spices or herbs.
4. Quality: Consider the quality of the meat, as it can impact taste.
The ground beef and cabbage recipe is a great choice for those on the keto diet without feeling like it is a diet food.
Ground beef can become watery if it has a lot of fat or if you crowd the pan while cooking. To avoid becoming too watery, choose lean ground beef and cook it in batches over medium-high heat.
To cook ground beef really fine, break it up as it cooks. Use a potato masher or a fork to stir and mash the beef constantly in the skillet until it is browned and finely crumbled.
You'll Also Love
Jaimee
I'll be honest, I didn't expect to like this, much less my kids. We were gifted cabbage from someone's garden and I needed to use it up. I dispise making cabbage rolls (too labor intensive...lol). I made the recipe almost as is (seasoned the meat with garlic salt, and left it in the pan when I added the veggies) & served over rice. I was pleasantly surprised that even my picky eater liked it!
Julia
Hi Jaimee, so happy to hear this! I don't like to make the cabbage rolls either, this is way easier AND quicker 🙂 Thank you for commenting!
Adriana J Quintero
Thanks for a delicious and simple recipe. For my taste it needed some umph, I added garlic powder and a few chili flakes--delicious!!! Thank you!
AlexP
This a go-to for entertaining. Delicious.
MarieEllen
Just tried the Ground Beef and Cabbage recipe, Julia, and it was a huge hit with my family! Loved how easy and quick it was to make on a busy weeknight. Any tips on making it a bit spicier next time?
Michelle
I loved it. I added an Asian twist with soy sauce & an Asian 5 spice powder in the beef. I Served it with sweet potatoes. Thanks!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
sounds amazing! thank you for tips!
Mary
This was easy and delicious.
Thank you!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Mary!
Lindsay
This recipe is delicious!!! My husband and I agreed this will become one of our go to staples! Love the versatility of this recipe also! We had a leek, garlic and a couple Serrano peppers that we needed to use and we threw those in with great success!! Thank you so much for this awesome cabbage recipe !!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Lindsay, we too love a little spicy kick
Judith
Delicious! Even those who don't care for veggies loved it. I did add green chili's. That's the only thing I did differently
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
green chilis sound delicious! Thank you Judith!
Reenie
I didn’t realize you were supposed to set aside the ground beef until after it was done. It still came out very good. I added some rice to it as suggested. It made a ton!! Thanks for sharing
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Reenie thanks for feedback! Happy you liked it! I like to divide the cooking in steps and cook the beef separately to avoid overcooking. Thats why I set it aside and drain if needed (this will depend on how lean is the beef).
James
Great stuff. I load it up with gluten free soy sauce, roll it up in low carb wraps, fry in butter to seal.
Another option is to do as above, however mix eggs for tasty breakfast rolls.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
That sounds delicious, thanks James!