Description
A hearty, budget-friendly stir fry made with ground beef, cabbage, and bell peppers in a single skillet. This quick weeknight meal is savory, slightly spicy, and perfect for feeding a family without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
- Rice or noodles, optional for serving
Instructions
- Prep the vegetables by dicing the onion and bell peppers, shredding the cabbage, and mincing the garlic.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if desired.
- Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the pan with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss in the shredded cabbage and stir to combine with the beef and vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage starts to wilt.
- Sprinkle in the paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir to coat everything evenly.
- Stir in the soy sauce and tomato paste. Add the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. The dish is ready when vegetables are tender-crisp and beef is fully cooked.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately over rice, noodles, or on its own.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when browning the beef to ensure a good sear. Shred cabbage by hand for better texture control. Add garlic last to prevent burning. If the dish looks too dry during simmering, add a splash of water or broth. If too wet, cook longer. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: budget meal, cowboy stir fry, one skillet, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, family friendly, cheap meals, weeknight dinner