I really love stir fries! They’re fast, tasty, and a great way to get a lot of vegetables on your plate. Today, I’m excited to tell you about one of my all-time favorite dishes: Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry. This dish has a warm, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that makes dinner feel special without having to spend all night in the kitchen. I remember the first time I made it on a cold night. The smell filled the house, and my family couldn’t help but come into the kitchen, hungry and curious.
This recipe is great because you can use it in so many ways. You can change the flavors to suit your taste, use different vegetables, or even use chicken or tofu instead of beef. Also, it’s a great way to use up cabbage that you have left over from other meals! So let’s get into this tasty world of beef and cabbage that crunches.
What goes into a stir fry with beef and cabbage?
We’ll be using a few ingredients that work well together to make a delicious Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry. Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need:
I usually use flank steak or sirloin for this recipe because they are tender cuts that cook quickly. If you can, I really think you should get grass-fed beef. It usually tastes better and is better for you.
For this stir fry, you’ll need some green cabbage, but Napa cabbage works just as well. Cabbage is very crunchy and takes on the flavors of the sauce very well.
I like to add a mix of bell peppers (red and yellow make it pop), carrots, and green onions to my vegetables, along with cabbage. You can also add snap peas or broccoli to make it look and feel better.
Aromatics: Garlic and ginger are two important spices that give the dish its flavor. Believe me, these two together will make your taste buds dance!
For the sauce, mix together soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option), oyster sauce (optional but adds depth), sesame oil for that great nutty flavor, and a little bit of sugar or honey. This blend is the main event!
Oil: For frying, use an oil with a high smoke point, like peanut or canola oil. This keeps the oil from burning while you cook at a high temperature.
Is it good for you to eat beef and cabbage stir fry?
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is very good for your health.
Beef: This food is a great source of high-quality protein, iron, zinc, and a number of B vitamins. Red meat can have a lot of saturated fats, but using a lean cut makes the dish healthier.
You should eat more cabbage because it is high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. It helps the digestive system and may lower the risk of some long-term diseases.
Vegetables: Adding a variety of colorful vegetables gives you a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. They also give things a crunchy and textured feel!
Sauces: If you’re trying to cut back on salt, be careful with soy sauce because it has a lot of sodium. If you want a savory flavor but less sodium, look for low-sodium versions or try coconut aminos instead.
# Things you need to make Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
This recipe is great for family dinner or meal prep for the week because it serves about four people.
– **1 pound of flank steak or sirloin, cut thinly against the grain**1 medium head of cabbage, cut into small pieces1 bell pepper, cut into slices (red, yellow, or both)- **1 big carrot, cut into julienne or thin slices4 green onions, chopped up (both the white and green parts)3 cloves of garlic, chopped up1-inch piece of ginger, chopped up- **3 tablespoons of soy sauce (or tamari)2 tablespoons of oyster sauce (optional)1 tablespoon of sesame oil1 tablespoon of honey or sugar3 tablespoons of oil with a high smoke point, like canola or peanut oilAdd salt and pepper to taste.Optional: sesame seeds for decoration
How do you make stir-fried beef and cabbage?
Now that we have everything we need, let’s start cooking. Here’s how to make this tasty meal:
1. **Get Your Ingredients Ready**: Before you start cooking, make sure everything is cut up and ready to go. Stir-frying is a fast process, so getting everything ready ahead of time will save you time and trouble.
2. **Make the Sauce**: Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Taste it and change the flavors to suit your taste. If you like it a little sweeter, add more sugar or honey.
3. **Cook the Beef**: Put the oil in a big skillet or wok and turn the heat up high. Put the beef in a single layer on top. Don’t move it around too much while it sears for about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir and cook until just done after it has turned a nice brown color. It usually takes about three to four minutes. Don’t overcook it, though, because beef can get tough.
4. **Remove the Beef**: Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate. This way, it won’t keep cooking in the heat that is still there.
5. **Stir-fry the Vegetables**: Add a little more oil to the same pan if you need to. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until they smell good. After that, put in the carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage. Cook the vegetables in a stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are soft but still crunchy.
6. **Mix Everything Together**: Put the beef back in the pan, pour the sauce over the mixture, and mix everything together well. Cook it for another minute or two, or until everything is hot all the way through.
7. **Garnish and Serve**: Take off the heat and, if you want, sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top. Serve warm.
8. **Serve It Up:** I like to put this stir fry on top of a bed of fluffy jasmine rice or quinoa. You could also serve it in lettuce wraps, which are low in carbs. The lettuce’s crunch goes perfectly with the tasty beef and vegetables.
A Few Cooking Tips for Stir-Frying Beef and Cabbage
Here are some more tips and ideas for how to make cooking your own:
– **Marinating the Beef**: If you have time, let the beef sit in the soy sauce mixture for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking it. It will make the taste better and the meat softer.
– **Different Types of Cabbage**: You can use leeks, bok choy, or Swiss chard instead of or in addition to the cabbage. All of them work great in this dish.
– **Spice it Up**: Add a few red pepper flakes or sliced chilies to the stir fry if you like it hot. You could also add a little sriracha on top before serving to make it spicy.
– **Make it Vegetarian**: To make it vegetarian, replace the beef with tofu or tempeh. You can do the same thing. I recommend pressing the tofu for 15 to 20 minutes before marinating and sautéing it to get rid of extra moisture.
– **Meal Prep**: This stir fry is great for getting ready for meals! Put leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Warm it up slowly on the stove or in the microwave.
– **Serving Suggestions**: To bring out the flavors even more, add a little sesame oil or lime juice right before serving. Believe me, it makes a huge difference!
I really hope you give this Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry a try! Not only is it a filling meal, but it’s also a great way to get the whole family together to eat some great homemade food. Whenever I make this dish, I remember that cooking isn’t just about filling our stomachs; it’s also about bringing love, comfort, and warmth to our tables. So go ahead and try new things, have fun, and tell others about your experiences! I’d like to know how your stir fry turns out. Have fun cooking!
