I love a good stir fry! It’s one of those magical dishes that seems to come together when you throw together a bunch of random things you have in the fridge. Today, I’m excited to share with you my favorite recipe for stir-fried beef and cabbage. Not only is this dish popular, but it also shows that simple ingredients can come together to make something truly amazing and tasty.
It was a cold winter night, and I was in the kitchen looking at half a head of cabbage that looked lonely next to some strips of beef in my freezer. That’s when I decided to make a stir fry. I remembered my mother’s time-tested advice: simple dishes done well can make people at the table say “ooh” and “ahh.” And wow, did this dish live up to that! The bright colors and strong smells not only warmed us up, but they also made everyone feel good.
I’ll show you how to make this Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry step by step, and then we’ll talk about what makes it so special.
What goes into Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry?
The main part of the dish is the beef. I like to use flank steak or sirloin because they are tender, but you can use any type of meat you have on hand. Just cut it thin against the grain to keep it juicy and soft.
Cabbage: This vegetable makes the stir fry more crunchy and filling. Green cabbage is what I like best, but if you have red or Napa cabbage lying around, you can use that too. It will taste and look great.
Bell Peppers: I like to add some colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) to give the dish a sweet taste and more nutrients. They are a great way to make the dish more colorful and improve its overall flavor.
I like using red onions because they are sweet but not too sweet. They blend in with the dish perfectly and add an extra layer of flavor without taking over the other ingredients.
The smell of garlic cooking in oil is nothing short of heavenly. It’s my secret ingredient that gives it that great umami taste that makes you want more.
Fresh ginger gives the dish a warm, spicy kick that cuts through the richness of the beef. I always keep some in my kitchen because it makes food taste better.
Soy Sauce: This adds flavor to the stir fry. I like to use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness, but you can use regular soy sauce if you want a stronger flavor.
Sesame Oil: A little bit of this fragrant oil makes the whole dish taste warmer and more complex. The last step makes a big difference!
Rice or Noodles: You can eat the stir fry on its own, but I highly recommend serving it over rice or noodles so that the juices can soak in. It makes the meal a satisfying feast!
Is it healthy to eat beef and cabbage stir fry?
I often think about how healthy my favorite foods are. There’s a lot to love about my Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry.
Beef: It might be known for being heavy, but it’s a great source of high-quality protein, iron, and B vitamins, which are important for energy and strong muscles. Just remember to use lean cuts to keep things in check!
Cabbage: This simple vegetable is like a superhero in the world of fruits and vegetables. It has a lot of fiber and not many calories, which can help with digestion and make you feel full longer. Plus, it has a lot of vitamin K and antioxidants that might help your immune system!
Did you know that bell peppers are one of the best sources of vitamin C? This nutrient is good for your skin and may help your immune system work better, so go ahead and eat a lot of them!
Onions and garlic: Onions taste great and are full of vitamins and minerals. Garlic is thought to be good for heart health, so adding it to your diet is a great idea.
Sesame oil has a strong flavor and healthy fatty acids, so a little goes a long way! It might help lower inflammation and is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
This dish may seem like a treat, but it’s actually pretty balanced, so it’s a great meal choice any day of the week!
List of Ingredients
You will need the following for about four servings:
– 1 pound of flank steak or sirloin, cut thinly against the grain – 4 cups of chopped green cabbage – 1 cup of sliced bell peppers (any color you want)
– A medium-sized red onion, cut into slices
– 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
– 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon of ground ginger)
– 3 tablespoons of soy sauce with less salt
– 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (for cooking) – 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
– Add salt and pepper to taste. – Serve with cooked rice or noodles.
How do you make stir-fried beef and cabbage?
Let’s get started on the cooking! Put on your apron and let’s get this tasty stir fry going!
1. **Get Your Ingredients Ready:** Cut the beef as thinly as you can to begin. Put the meat in the freezer for about 30 minutes to make it a little firmer if you have trouble. Cut the cabbage into pieces, the bell peppers and onion into slices, the garlic into small pieces, and the ginger into small pieces!
2. **Get It Hot:** Put 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a big skillet or wok and heat it over medium-high heat. You want it to be hot enough that the beef sizzles when you add it.
3. **Cook the Beef:** Put the sliced beef in the pan, but don’t put too much in at once (you may need to do this in batches). Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it is browned and just cooked through. Take the beef out of the pan and put it aside.
4. **Prepare the Vegetables:** Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook them for about three minutes, or until they start to soften. Add the ginger and garlic that have been chopped up and stir for another minute, or until they smell good.
5. **Put in the Cabbage:** Put the chopped cabbage in the skillet and mix it well. At first, you might think it’s too much, but cabbage shrinks as it cooks. Stir-fry for about five minutes, or until the cabbage is soft but still a little crunchy.
6. **Put Everything Together:** Put the cooked beef back in the pan. Mix in the soy sauce and sesame oil, and heat everything through for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. **Serve and Enjoy:** Put the rice or noodles on the plate first if you’re serving them. After that, pour the stir fry on top! If you want to be fancy, you can add sesame seeds or sliced green onions on top.
Yummy different ways to serve it!
Now that you know how to make this great dish, let’s talk about some ways to change things up or make it even better!
– **Get Saucy:** Do you want to try something new? For more flavor, try adding a splash of hoisin or oyster sauce. Both add a tasty sweet and salty flavor!
– **Add Crunch:** Add some nutty crunch to your stir fry by topping it with crushed peanuts or cashews. Every bite is a pleasant surprise!
– **Make it Spicy:** If you want it to be a little hotter, try adding red pepper flakes or sriracha while it’s cooking. Or, for a real kick, add sliced fresh chili peppers.
– **Option for Vegetarians:** To make this dish vegetarian, just swap out the beef for tofu or tempeh. Just let the tofu soak in the marinade for a while to give it flavor!
– **Vegetables in season:** Stir fries are a great way to use up seasonal vegetables. You can add any vegetables you like, such as carrots, broccoli, snap peas, or others.
– **Make it a Favorite for Meal Prep:** This dish stays fresh in the fridge for a few days, so it’s a great choice for meal prep for lunches or quick dinners during the week.
There you go, my dear friends! Not only is Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry a quick and easy meal, but it’s also a healthy and flexible dish that smells great and tastes great. I hope you try this recipe. You can make it yourself or share it with family and friends. I promise you’ll make some great memories around the dinner table.
So, get ready to chop and stir-fry, and I can’t wait for you to taste the delicious flavors of this dish! Feel free to tell us what you think or any creative changes you made to make this dish your own! Have fun cooking!
