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Home » Recipes » Dinner

Easy Stovetop Beef Cabbage Bowl

Published: Aug 1, 2022 · Modified: Mar 31, 2025 by Megan

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Craving cabbage rolls but don’t want the fuss of rolling? This beefy Cabbage Bowl is a quick and easy deconstructed version you can make all in one pot on the stovetop! Enjoy all the same delicious, comforting flavors, packed with protein and vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

A low calorie beef cabbage bowl in a skillet with a hand stirring with a wooden spoon.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How To Make a Cabbage Bowl
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Expert Tips
  • More Healthy Asian-Inspired Meal Recipes
  • Easy Skillet Cabbage Bowl

This wholesome beef Cabbage Bowl checks all the boxes for an easy lunch or dinner that’s both nutritious and visually appealing. This deconstructed cabbage roll in a bowl are simple yet tasty, offering a healthy alternative to carb-heavy beef plates—there's no debate about it!

With just a few ingredients like ground beef, carrots, cabbage, onions, coconut aminos, Sriracha, coconut sugar, aromatics and seasonings, you can have a well-prepped meal ready in just 30 minutes.

Need more beefy meal ideas? Try these Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps, Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff, or Healthy Meatloaf next!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in 30 minutes or less, this cabbage roll bowl comes together in a single skillet with simple, whole ingredients.
  • Customizable: This recipe works with any combination of meats, veggies, or grains you prefer. Add cauliflower rice, toss in extra veggies, or top it with your favorite sauce—it’s totally up to you!
  • Nourishing and Satisfying: This low-calorie, gluten-free, low-carb meal is both comforting and filling, making it a optimal choice for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet Ingredients

ingredients for low calorie beef cabbage bowls
  • Ground Beef: A lean cut that provides protein, flavor, and satisfying texture while being a healthier choice compared to higher-fat meats (I use ButcherBox). You can also substitute with any ground meat or protein like shrimp, cod, salmon, tempeh, or tofu.
  • Green Cabbage: The filling and nutritious base for this cabbage bowl recipe, adding fiber and a refreshing crunch. The pre-shredded is easiest!
  • Other Veggies: The carrots and green onions contribute flavor, moisture, and color, adding a pleasant texture to the bowl.
  • Avocado Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point that helps keep the beef juicy and vegetables tender without overpowering the other ingredients. If using olive oil, be sure to cook on medium heat to avoid burning.
  • Aromatics: Fresh garlic and ginger provide vibrant, slightly spicy notes that add depth to the dish. If you don’t have fresh, use 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic and ginger powder.
  • Coconut Aminos: A gluten-free, slightly sweet, and savory alternative to soy sauce with a milder taste. You can use tamari, soy sauce, or gluten-free soy sauce if you prefer. Low-sodium options are recommended!
  • Coconut Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and caramel-like consistency, balancing the savory elements in this cabbage roll in a bowl recipe.
  • Sriracha: Adds a spicy kick and a popular choice at that! You can also substitute with peri-peri sauce, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, or sambal oelek.

Variations

  • Double the Veggies: Add extra veggies like red pepper, bok choy, or mushrooms for more nutrition. Just chop and toss them in with the cabbage, onion, and carrots for a colorful, unstuffed cabbage roll.
  • Get Nutty: Top your dish with toasted nuts and seeds like cashews, pistachios, sliced almonds, or sesame seeds for a satisfying crunch.
  • Add a Carb: Serve the cabbage bowl over a bed of brown or white rice, quinoa, or homemade cauliflower rice (low-carb alternative) for a heartier meal.

How To Make a Cabbage Bowl

Ready to dive in and make this deconstructed stuffed cabbage bowl? Grab a large skillet, cutting board, and a small mixing bowl. Gather your ingredients, preheat your skillet to medium heat, shred your veggies (see the tips for shredding cabbage), and follow these 4 easy steps below.

Cabbage bowl sauce mixed in a bowl.

Step 1: Make the Sauce. While the beef is cooking, mix together the coconuts aminos, avocado oil, Sriracha and coconut sugar in a small bowl. Set the sauce aside.

Ground beef cooking in a skillet.

Step 2: Brown the Meat. Cook the beef, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper in the avocado oil over medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes.

Cabbage added to the skillet.

Step 3: Finish the Stir-Fry. Stir in the cabbage and carrots, and cook until the cabbage is slightly wilted. Then, pour in the sauce and green onions.

Garnished cabbage roll in a bowl in a skillet ready to serve.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve. Remove the pan from the heat, give everything another toss, sprinkle or drizzle with your favorite toppings, grab a fork and dig in!

Serving Suggestions

Before you dig into the pan directly for a bite of these deconstructed cabbage rolls (I know it's tempting!), take a moment to consider the best ways to enjoy this meal. Whether you're serving it up to a crowd or just eating it straight from the pan, here are some tasty ideas to round out your meal:

  • Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a drizzle of sriracha for a fun, festive weeknight meal.
  • Spoon it over a bed of cauliflower rice, healthy fried rice, or make Asian-inspired wraps with cauliflower tortillas for a more interactive meal!
  • Finish off with a simple, hand-held dessert like brownies with yogurt recipe, strawberry cheesecake bars, or carrot cake.

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Expert Tips

  • Meat Quality: For the best flavor and nutrition, use high-quality meat like grass-fed, grass-finished beef. I recommend ButcherBox for affordable, high-quality meat.
  • Shredding the Cabbage: If using a whole cabbage, slice it in half, remove the core, and finely shred one half.
  • Stir Often, Don't Rush: Let the beef brown well in the pan and stir often to avoid burning. This step adds depth to the flavor, so don’t rush it!
  • Storing and Reheating: This unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe lasts up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. I don't recommend freezing it, as cabbage can get soggy. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • Make Ahead: This dish is perfect for meal prep. Make a large batch to portion out and enjoy throughout the week, or store for your next family meal.
A bowl of cabbage and beef on the table with a skillet of more in the background.

More Healthy Asian-Inspired Meal Recipes

  • Healthy Egg Roll In A Bowl is an easy, gluten free and low calorie recipe that's made sugar free without a deep fried wrapper. A healthy weeknight dinner! Gluten Free + Low Calorie 
    Healthy Egg Roll In A Bowl {GF, Low Calorie}
  • Low Carb Turkey Asian Burgers! Freezer friendly, soy free, veggie loaded burgers seasoned with Asian spice. Easy to make, healthy and great for meal prep!
    Low Carb Turkey Asian Burgers
  • Healthy Asian Meatballs are a low calorie meal made with a sweet chili glaze. An easy and nutritious meatball recipe everyone will love!
    Healthy Asian Meatballs {Low Cal, GF}
  • Healthy Orange Chicken is a simple, low calorie version of your favorite takeout meal. This lighter meal is made with real food and gluten free.
    Healthy Orange Chicken

If you tried this beef cabbage roll recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.

A beef cabbage bowl on the table with a skillet of more in the background.

Easy Skillet Cabbage Bowl

Megan Olson
Skip the rolling and enjoy a fuss-free twist on classic cabbage rolls! This one-pot Cabbage Bowl delivers all the hearty flavors you love with ground beef, tender cabbage, and a savory sauce. A quick, protein-packed meal perfect for busy nights!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 232 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
  • ½ head Green Cabbage shredded
  • ½ tablespoon Avocado Oil
  • 2 Carrots shredded
  • 4 Green Onions diced
  • 2 tablespoons Garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger minced

For the Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Coconut Aminos
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
  • ½ teaspoon Coconut Sugar

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the stir fry sauce first. In a small bowl stir together the coconut aminos, avocado oil, sriracha, and coconut sugar. Set the sauce aside.
  • Shred the vegetables so they are ready to go when you need them. If using a whole cabbage, slice one small cabbage in half, remove the core, and then finely shred the leaves of one half the cabbage.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the cooking oil, ground beef, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the beef until browned (about five minutes).
  • Add the cabbage and carrots to the skillet and continue to stir and cook until the cabbage is slightly wilted (or fully wilted, if you prefer). Stir in the prepared sauce and the green onions. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a drizzle of sriracha, then serve!

Notes

  • If starting with a whole cabbage, cut it in half, remove the core, and finely slice one half into thin shreds.
  • Take your time browning the beef properly—stir frequently to prevent burning. A good sear enhances the flavor, so don’t rush this step!
  • Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing isn’t ideal since cabbage tends to get soggy. To reheat, use the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 27gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 376mgPotassium: 744mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5332IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Let me know!Let us know how it was!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

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    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. christine says

    January 26, 2025 at 3:48 pm

    love this recipe !! reminds me of pad thai ! tried with ground turkey the first time , second time made with ground turkey breast. also added in a tbsp of honey and a tbsp of rice vinegar

    Reply
  2. Gretchen says

    October 22, 2023 at 9:49 am

    In the 'Instructions' it says mix soy sauce, avocado oil, sriracha and brown sugar. I do not see Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar listed as an ingredient. How much of each goes in the sauce?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      October 23, 2023 at 10:25 am

      The soy sauce is the coconut aminos and the coconut sugar is the brown sugar both already listed under the sauce ingredients. I updated the instructions to be clear.

      Reply
  3. Jeannine R Davis says

    June 29, 2023 at 10:01 am

    How much is 1 serving? a cup ?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 29, 2023 at 10:16 am

      1/4th of the recipe equals a serving. I usually eyeball 1/4th of the skillet. You can weigh the entire meal on a food scale in grams and divide by 4 if you want the exact amount in grams. Then you weigh one serving in grams for yourself. Using measuring cups is never accurate.

      Reply
  4. Mary says

    April 16, 2023 at 11:34 pm

    Hi Megan! We had this for dinner tonight and it was really good! I stuck to the recipe exactly, though I did add the oil to the sauce although it was in the ingredients list and not the sauce ingredients. Not sure if that's what you meant to do, but I did and it was great. I will make it again!

    Reply
  5. Dawn Russo says

    February 12, 2023 at 6:18 pm

    It does not say how much sesame oil

    Reply
    • Megan says

      February 13, 2023 at 9:35 am

      It should be avocado oil. Thanks for the catch - it's been updated.

      Reply

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Megan is a nutritionist, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 stop dieting, heal their relationship with food and lose weight sustainably. Megan lost 80 pounds herself. Here you get healthy, lower calorie recipes!

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