This 30-minute gluten free ground beef and cabbage Stir Fry is an easy, veggie packed dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week! Made with ground beef, cabbage, broccolini, and a simple coconut amino based stir fry sauce. Quick to make and full of savory flavor! Whole30 compatible, paleo friendly, and soy free!

Overhead shot of a white speckled plate with ground beef and cabbage whole30 stir fry with cut up broccolini, served next to some cauliflower rice and topped with black sesame seeds.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, there is just something about a weeknight stir fry that makes home cooking so easy & practical!

This stir fry relies on simple and inexpensive ingredients like ground beef, cabbage, and broccolini for a complete meal that is full of veggies and so SO flavorful.

Top notch dinner material that the whole family will devour!

If you haven’t cooked much with cabbage, or made a stir fry with cabbage you are in for a T-R-E-A-T.

When cooked (especially over somewhat high heat), the cabbage ribbons melt into a sweet and tender version of their formerly crunchy self that you will devour by the forkful.

I honestly believe that cabbage is so underrated and the real star of the show here!

Why you’ll love this ground beef stir fry

It is:

Savory
Packed with vegetables
Flavorful
Easy to make
Inexpensive
Wholesome
Great for leftovers
SO dang tasty!

Overhead shot of a large cream colored ceramic skillet filled with ground beef and cabbage whole30 stir fry with cut up broccolini, and topped with black sesame seeds.

Ingredients

(If you’re already ready to get started, scroll all the way down to the bottom for the full recipe!)

Aromatics – Sesame oil, diced shallots, and chopped garlic create the flavor base for this stir fry.
Ground beef – I love using ground beef in a stir fry. It is relatively inexpensive, cooks quickly, and all the nooks and crannies of the ground meat creates more space for the delicious stir fry sauce to cling to. You could swap it for ground turkey, pork, or chicken if that’s what you’re into!
Cabbage – Green, red, or even napa cabbage would all work for this recipe. Keep in mind that red cabbage will stain the rest of the stir fry a dark purple color when cooked.
Broccolini – I love the tender bite of broccolini, but you could also substitute broccoli florets if that’s what you have on hand.
Simple soy-free stir fry sauce – Coconut aminos, rice wine vinegar, and optional hot sauce make this super simple (& crazy delicious!) stir fry sauce.

Overhead shot of ingredients for whole30 ground beef and cabbage stir fry. The biggest bowl is filled with shredded green cabbage, there is a plate with cut up broccolini, a smaller plate with diced shallots, and a variety of small bowls containing chopped garlic, black sesame seeds, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and coconut aminos. On a light grey background.

How to make this Stir Fry

All you need to make this stir fry is 1 pan, and about 30 minutes. Minimal effort and maximum flavor makes this weeknight friendly dinner a big win!

Here’s the step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

I am a firm believer that it’s generally a good idea to prep all your ingredients and have them ready on the counter before you start cooking, but this is especially true for a stir fry, because of how fast they cook.

So start by dicing the shallot, chopping the garlic, pulling the ground beef out of the refrigerator, slicing the cabbage into ribbons, cutting the broccolini, and stirring together the easy stir fry sauce in a small bowl.

How to slice cabbage into thin ribbons:

Cut the cabbage in half and reserve the other half for another recipe. Take the remaining half and lay the flat side flat on a large cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice cabbage around the core into roughly 1/4 inch thick ribbons.

Step 2: Cook the ground beef with the aromatics

Head sesame oil over medium high heat in a large saute pan or wok.

Add diced shallot, chopped garlic, and ground beef. Cook, breaking up beef with a spoon until it is completely browned, and shallots and garlic are soft – about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add the cabbage

Add cabbage to the skillet and continue to cook, tossing frequently, so the cabbage wilts evenly.

Step 4: Add broccolini and stir fry sauce

When cabbage is wilted and tender – after about 3-5 minutes – add the broccolini and stir fry sauce.

Cook for just another minute or two, stirring frequently, until broccolini is still bright green but tender, and sauce has reduced slightly.

Step 5: Serve!

Season to taste with salt and pepper, top with sesame seeds and serve!

Overhead shot of a cream colored ceramic skillet filled with cooked ground beef, shallots, and garlic.

Overhead shot of a cream colored ceramic skillet filled with cooked ground beef, shallots, garlic, and piled high with fresh shredded green cabbage.

Close up shot of cooked Whole30 ground beef stir fry with cabbage - also contains bright green pieces of broccolini.

What other types of protein can I use for this recipe?

If ground beef is not your jam you can easily swap it for another type of ground meat. Ground turkey, pork, or chicken, would all be delicious substitutes.

Serving suggestions

For a delicious Whole30 compatible and paleo option, serve this stir fry with cauliflower rice, over a roasted sweet potato, or veggie noodles.

If you’re not doing a Whole30 it is also really delicious with white rice or rice noodles!

How to store, re-heat, and freeze

To store: This stir fry can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

To re-heat: To re-heat, simply warm gently on the stove, stirring frequently, until heated through. Or re-heat in the microwave for a minute or two.

To freeze: I do not recommend freezing this stir fry. The veggies will get overly soft and watery and it will lose its textural appeal.

Love this stir fry? Here’s some other easy recipes to try!

If you enjoyed this recipe, we’d love it if you would take 5 seconds to rate and review it below! It’s also super helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe.

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!