This Easy Beef Cabbage Stir Fry recipe is a really quick and easy budget-friendly stir fry and another favourite way to use beef mince aside from bolognese. There are more vegetables in this stir fry than meat in this recipe, making it a great choice to boost your vegetable intake for the day. Flavoured with a salty, sweet and acidic sauce, this will be a classic stir fry for the whole family to enjoy.
Of course, if you don’t have the listed vegetables, feel free to switch in other vegetables like bok choy, broccoli florets, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, snow peas or bean sprouts – anything that you enjoy in a stir fry goes here. With its simple ingredients and quick prep time, this dish will become a family favourite in no time. My family think this is the best beef stir fry!
Health benefits
Beef is an excellent source of protein, iron, and essential vitamins like B12, which support energy production and muscle health. Cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable, is rich in fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants, promoting gut health and boosting immunity. Adding colourful veggies like carrots and capsicum enhances the meal’s nutrient content with a variety of vitamins and minerals, while the healthy fats from olive oil and cashews also supports health. There’s approximately 33g protein and 7-8g fibre per serve.
What sets this dish apart is the homemade sauce. Unlike many store-bought sauces, which are often loaded with refined sugars, additives, and preservatives, this homemade version is a cleaner, healthier option. It avoids the unnecessary added sugars and artificial ingredients commonly found in processed sauces, which can lead to blood sugar spikes and long-term health issues. By controlling the ingredients, you’re nourishing your body with natural flavours and keeping your meals free from unnecessary sugars and additives.
Ingredients
To make this beef stir fry recipe, you’ll need red onion and beef mince (ground beef) for the protein base. For a flavour boost, add finely grated ginger root and minced garlic cloves. The veggies include carrots, shredded wombok cabbage (or sugarloaf cabbage), and red capsicum. For the garnish, add fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) and toasted raw cashew nuts will add freshness and crunch.
For the stir fry sauce ingredients, whisk together tamari (which is a gluten-free, low sodium soy sauce), rice malt syrup (or honey/maple syrup), and rice vinegar. This blend creates a delicious, slightly sweet and tangy sauce to tie the stir fry together.
How to make easy beef cabbage stir fry
Begin by toasting the cashews in a dry wok over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden. Once toasted, set them aside to cool. Next, heat the olive oil in the wok over medium high heat and stir-fry the diced onion for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften. Add the beef mince, along with the ginger and garlic, and stir-fry until the beef is fully cooked and any liquid has evaporated.
Once the beef is ready, toss in the julienned carrots, shredded wombok cabbage, capsicum (red bell pepper) and the pre-mixed sauce. Stir-fry everything together for 4-5 minutes, or until the cabbage has wilted and the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve this healthy beef stir fry immediately, garnished with fresh coriander leaves and the toasted cashews for added crunch. You can pair it with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal. It’s also great over noodles. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat in a wok or skillet over high heat until just warmed through.
Vary this easy beef cabbage stir fry to suit your dietary needs
To make this stir fry soy-free, replace the tamari with coconut aminos and sea salt. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, swap the beef for diced tempeh, which will provide a hearty plant-based protein. For a nut-free option, replace the cashews with toasted sunflower seeds, or omit the nuts altogether. For grain-free, serve over quinoa or zoodles. This dish is easily adaptable, so feel free to adjust it based on your preferences.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary goals.
For more quick, easy, healthy stir fry recipes, click HERE.
Easy Beef Cabbage Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion/s – diced
- 500 g beef mince
- 2 tbsp ginger root – finely grated
- 4 clove/s garlic – minced
- 2 carrot/s – julienne or grated
- 1 wombok cabbage – or sugarloaf approx. 600 g shredded
- 1 red capsicum/s – julienne
- ½ bunch/s fresh coriander leaves – to serve
- 70 g raw cashew nuts – toasted, to serve (½ cup)
Sauce
- 60 ml tamari
- 85 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
Serve
- Rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice (to serve)
Instructions
- Start by mixing the ingredients for the sauce together in a small bowl.
- Toast in the cashews in a dry wok on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes until golden. Set aside to cool.
- Next, in the wok, heat the olive oil over a high heat.
- Stir fry the onion for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften.
- Add the beef, ginger and garlic and fry until the beef is cooked through (and there is not any liquid in the pan).
- Add the carrots, wombok, capsicum and sauce. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes or until the cabbage wilts.
Serve
- Serve with the fresh coriander, toasted cashews and rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice.
Make-ahead
- Re-heat, stirring in a wok over a high heat until just hot.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
