Cabbage and Ground Stir-fry (meat or vegetarian options)

Move over hamburger helper, there’s a new kid on the block!

Okay, let’s first get something straight, I have never eaten nor will I ever eat hamburger helper but if you do, I encourage you to drop the box and get on board this delicious and easy to prepare hamburger dish! Personally, I don’t eat a lot of red meat, but, every once in a while it makes it’s way into my meal plans and this recipe worked for me! The best part is the versatility for swapping. If hamburger isn’t your thing, try ground pork, turkey or chicken, or vegetarian ground round or lentils. It all works! This recipe is high in protein, fiber and the stellar goodness of cabbage. Lifted with a sauce that is a little sweet, a little salty and a little spicy, it can be served over whole grains, noodles, zoodles, cauliflower rice or even wrap into lettuce boats for a satisfying balanced dinner.

Gluten free
Dairy free
Refined sugar free
Nut free
Vegan/vegetarian optional

Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter or vegetable oil of choice (double if using veggie ground round or lentils)
1 White/yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch grated fresh ginger, about a tablespoon
1 pound ground beef, pork, chicken, turkey or veggie ground round. Could also use 2 cups of pre-cooked green, brown or black lentils.
1 cup carrot, grated
5 cups red, green, napa or savoy cabbage, thinly sliced
See note for vegetable swaps.

Sauce

3 tbsp coconut aminos or see note for substitution
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp Bragg’s or tamari sauce
1 tbsp honey
Chilli sauce of choice, add to your spice preference or omit all together

Directions:

Start with your stir-fry sauce. Add ingredients to a mixing jar and whisk together. Put a side until needed near end.
Heat butter or oil in a large fry pan on medium and cook onions and celery until softening, about 3-5 minutes.
Add ginger and garlic and cook for another minute or 2, careful not to burn the garlic if temperature is too high.
Add ground meat or veggie ground round and cook about 1/2 or 3/4 way through, stirring and breaking it up to cook evenly. Veggie ground will not need much cooking time.
Place fry pan back on heat and add carrots and cabbage or any other veggies you may want to include such as zucchini or bell peppers (see note). You may need a drizzle more oil.
Cook until cabbage begins to soften then add ground mix or lentils back into the fry pan.
Add sauce, cover and let simmer until meat is cooked on medium low. You may not require as much extra cooking time for ground round or lentils.
Serve on whole grains such as quinoa, millet, brown rice, roasted potatoes, cauliflower rice or even a pasta or zucchini noodle.

*Note: Feel free to add or swap in other veggies instead of celery and carrots such as zucchini, snow peas, cauliflower, mushrooms, bell peppers, beans , etc. Just keep the volume the same.