Italian cabbage stir-fry

Italian cabbage stir-fry

This meal is simple rustic deliciousness. The combination of tart cabbage, luscious basil, and savory beef is melt-in-your-mouth fabulous. This is keto at its finest.
November 26 2016 recipe by , photo by , nutritional review by in Recipes, Dinner, Meal

Italian cabbage stir-fry

This meal is simple rustic deliciousness. The combination of tart cabbage, luscious basil, and savory beef is melt-in-your-mouth fabulous. This is keto at its finest.
USMetric
4 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 1½ lbs 650 g green cabbage
  • 1 oz. 28 g butter
  • 1¼ lbs 550 g ground beef
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 2 garlic clove, finely choppedgarlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 oz. 85 g leek, thinly slicedleeks, thinly sliced
  • 2⁄3 oz. (71⁄3 tbsp) 19 g (110 ml) fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 cup 240 ml sour cream
This recipe has been added to the shopping list.

Instructions

  1. Shred the green cabbage finely with a sharp knife or in a food processor.
  2. In a large frying pan, melt half of the butter over medium heat. Add the cabbage and fry for about 10 minutes or until just softened.
  3. Add vinegar, salt, onion powder, and pepper. Stir and fry for 2-3 minutes or until well incorporated. Transfer the sauteed cabbage to a large bowl.
  4. Heat the rest of the butter in the pan. Add the garlic and leeks, and sauté for a minute.
  5. Add meat, and continue frying until cooked through. Sauté until most of the liquid has evaporated.
  6. Add tomato paste and mix well. Lower the heat a little and add reserved cabbage and fresh basil. Stir until cooked through.
  7. Adjust seasoning and serve with a dollop of sour cream.

You might also like

DD+ MEMBERSHIP
Healthy meal plans
Meal plans that work

Want to lose weight and improve your health? Try a ketogenic (keto), low-carb, or high-protein diet. Stay on track by following our nutritionally reviewed meal plans.

Low-carb recipes
1,333 💙 Low-carb recipes

Whether you’re looking for high-protein, strict keto, or liberal low-carb recipes, here you’ll find tons of tasty recipes to choose from. Discover our wide range of healthy recipes.

The Diet Doctor food policy
Our food policy

There are many thoughts and ideas about what foods are and aren’t part of a healthy diet. Learn more about what foods you can expect from our recipes.

💬 Have you tried this recipe?

What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
1 2

90 comments

  1. 1
    Mary
    January 13 2017
    I tasted far, far better than I thought it would but I think I will add a fresh chill next time spice it up a little and maybe add the cream fraiche at the end of cooking. So ready though.
  2. 2
    Sandra
    February 5 2017
    This has to be one of my favourites, the first time I saw the ingredients and cooked it I thought this isn't going to work for me .... how wrong I was, it's tasty, it's satisfying and so easy to do. I have to admit all the meals are great, there's no going back for me now I absolutely love LCHF and the results are just amazing. Thank you
  3. 3
    Harrison
    February 16 2017
    I must say this tasted nice, I was quite worried at the beginning, and that the fact I didn't have any basil at the time made it worse, but in the end it turned into a splendid savoury mince dish. So much so my brother demanded seconds and was quite upset when there wasn't any. Overall a good dish that I will definitely be making again.
    I added an extra tablespoon of tomato paste to give the mince a bit more flavour.
  4. 4
    Carole
    March 6 2017
    I put extra salt, pepper and basil in it. It was good with the sour cream garnish. Family loved it. Another winner!
  5. 5
    Shelly
    April 6 2017
    I was skeptical about this dish because of basil and cabbage... but oh my! Sooo good.. definetly top it off with sour cream!
  6. 6
    Bruce
    April 9 2017
    Added an extra tbsp of tomato paste. Served it with sour cream and more fresh basil- simply delicious! Will make it again :)
  7. 7
    Christina
    May 4 2017
    DELICUOUSNESS!!!
  8. 1 comment removed
  9. 9
    jackie
    June 29 2017
    Why doesn't it tell you the exact nutrition info?
  10. 10
    Peter Biörck Team Diet Doctor
    June 29 2017
    Hi Jackie!

    We don't want to promote to much "counting" that's why we only have the carbs in gram. (that's the most important info when following LCHF)

    But If you need more information then use the formula below to calculate, a bit complicated though. ;-)

    (%PROTEIN / %CARB) * gram_CARB = gram_PROTEIN
    (%FAT / %CARB) * 4/9 * gram_CARB = gram_FAT

    gram_CARB * 4 + gram_PROTEIN*4 + gram_FAT*9 = CALORIES

    Reply: #12
  11. 11
    Mark T
    July 19 2017
    I love this one. I substitute hot Italian sausage (local, only a couple grams of carbs) for the beef, and did it with half tomato paste/ half chili paste, then mix in the sour cream. Fantastico!
  12. 12
    Reply to comment #10 by Peter Biörck
    BLN
    January 24 2018
    I see your point about counting calories. However, some people truly do need to count calories. Mentally and physically. I would also like to see the nutrient breakdown. I find it helpful when I am planning out my meals. This is the only Keto sight that doesn't do a nutrient break down.
    Reply: #13
  13. 13
    Reply to comment #12 by BLN
    Peter Biörck Team Diet Doctor
    January 25 2018
    Hi BLN!

    I think we will provide more nutritional info soon.

    I see your point about counting calories. However, some people truly do need to count calories. Mentally and physically. I would also like to see the nutrient breakdown. I find it helpful when I am planning out my meals. This is the only Keto sight that doesn't do a nutrient break down.

    Reply: #19
  14. 14
    Katherine
    February 22 2018
    This is my favorite of all the crack cabbage recipes. I do at least double the tomato paste, but otherwise I make it as written. Everyone in the family loves it!
  15. 15
    Snezana
    March 18 2018
    This tastes so good!!! Like an upgraded Bolognese... I also added some chilli flakes and a bit more of the tomato paste. Really delicious :)
  16. 16
    Brittney R
    April 26 2018
    Don’t accidentally put the entire can of tomato paste! Sad day :(
  17. 17
    Jan
    April 29 2018
    First dish i’ve cooked for the 2 week challenge. I had to read the amount of butter twice. It’s going to be a real education for this 60’s girl to leave the low fat fallacy behind.
  18. 18
    Gertrude
    June 12 2018
    Oh my goodness, both my husband and I loved this. Next time I will add a little spice. Yummy.
  19. 19
    Reply to comment #13 by Peter Biörck
    William
    July 21 2018
    I’m not counting calories. But it would be nice to have complete nutritional break down.
    I hesitate at trying this recipe because of the 33 grams of protein. That’s HIGH not knowing the fat amount
    Reply: #20
  20. 20
    Reply to comment #19 by William
    Peter Biörck Team Diet Doctor
    July 21 2018
    Hi William!

    Fat is 91 gram.

    I’m not counting calories. But it would be nice to have complete nutritional break down.
    I hesitate at trying this recipe because of the 33 grams of protein. That’s HIGH not knowing the fat amount

  21. 21
    Charlene
    July 27 2018
    Hello--just a question--for the Cabbage Italian Stir Fry the recipe says 25 teaspoons of basil is that a typo? Should it be 2.5 tsp? If it is correct then why not just say 1/2 cup?
    Replies: #22, #31
  22. 22
    Reply to comment #21 by Charlene
    Julie
    August 25 2018
    It’s basil. put in as much as you want.
  23. 23
    Julie
    August 25 2018
    some people can cook, some should let others do the cooking.
  24. 24
    Joe
    August 28 2018
    In the nutrition information it says Net Carbs is 9g, but then goes on to list 6 grams of fiber. So is it truly 9 NET grams per serving or is it a total of 9 grams, less the 6 from fiber, so 3 Net grams? 9 NET grams seems pretty high from the ingredient list. I know cabbage is a little carb heavy, but I am sure most of the fiber is coming from it and getting the total net carbs down.
  25. 25
    Ronelle
    September 25 2018
    Please help!!!
    Carb calculator says 6g in 100g cabbage so how can this meal be 9g if the cabbage alone is 200g?
    Reply: #30
  26. 26
    Cris
    October 16 2018
    Was good. Added a bit more spice. I didn't quite enjoy the amount of butter in it.
  27. 27
    CyndiW
    December 5 2018
    25 oz of cabbage converts to 10 cups is that correct?
    Reply: #28
  28. 28
    Reply to comment #27 by CyndiW
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    December 6 2018
    That is going to depend on how "bulky" your cabbage slices are and how firmly you compact them down. Going by weight is a better option to help ensure optimal results.
  29. 29
    Fay
    December 10 2018
    Do the macros include the optional mayonnaise?
  30. 30
    Reply to comment #25 by Ronelle
    luke
    December 16 2018
    Ronelle this really depends on how much you make and eat per serving(1 serving can vary greatly from person to person). A lot of the cabbage(carbs included) is reduced during the process of being prepared to mix into the meat.
    I make this meal very often and it has not disturbed my state of ketosis.
  31. 31
    Reply to comment #21 by Charlene
    Luke
    December 16 2018
    Iv'e switched the fresh basil for basil paste being mixed into the tomato paste before adding it to the meat--- delicious :)
  32. 1 comment removed
  33. 33
    M
    December 22 2018
    Why was my comment removed? Just because I thought it was horrible. It was.
  34. 34
    Tg777
    January 5 2019
    Hiya
    Is there an alternative to meat or poultry to go with the cabbage... type of fish or something please...
    Reply: #35
  35. 35
    Reply to comment #34 by Tg777
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    January 5 2019
    Fish tends to be too delicate and soft, texture speaking, to be a good sub for the meat in this dish.
  36. 36
    Milica
    January 14 2019
    Omg this was sooo amazing!!
    I didn't have basil so I added a bit of curry spice and chilli flakes and I cant wait to make it again! I will add just a couple of nuts and it will be a winner!
  37. 37
    Liz
    January 21 2019
    Nutrition info says 1003 kcal.
    Is this the same as Calories? Also
    Is this in total or per serve? Seems
  38. 38
    Liz
    January 23 2019
    Can anyone answer above question?
    Reply: #39
  39. 39
    Reply to comment #38 by Liz
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    January 24 2019

    Can anyone answer above question?

    Yes, kcal are the same as Calories. All of our recipes offer nutrition information per serving.

  40. 40
    Christie
    January 28 2019
    Hi there! Forgive me, but I just want to make sure I'm understanding the nutritional information correctly. There are 91 grams of fat in ONE serving? Seems like a lot, so I just wanted to be sure.
    Reply: #41
  41. 41
    Reply to comment #40 by Christie
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    January 29 2019

    Hi there! Forgive me, but I just want to make sure I'm understanding the nutritional information correctly. There are 91 grams of fat in ONE serving? Seems like a lot, so I just wanted to be sure.

    Yes, the nutrition breakdown is per serving.

  42. 42
    Vel
    February 7 2019
    What I can substitute for ground beef because I don't eat it.
    Reply: #43
  43. 43
    Reply to comment #42 by Vel
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    February 8 2019

    What I can substitute for ground beef because I don't eat it.

    You can try ground pork instead.

  44. 44
    Jean
    March 14 2019
    I didn't like this meal. One mouthful and I felt naucious. Too greasy for me. My husband enjoyed it. Thankfully I had a alternative meal to hand. A definite no no for me.
  45. 45
    Christine
    March 15 2019
    I thought this meal was delicious. I would make it again.
  46. 46
    marijkemelbourne
    March 17 2019
    I have just made this and it is brilliant - all the earthiness of good Italian cooking and also something you can make ahead - I will definitely be batch cooking this one. Did not have onion powder and used some dried onion flakes, did not have tomato paste and used some sun dried tomato pesto (or just chopped up sun dried tomatoes would do). Also not enough fresh basil so stirred in some of my own home made basil pesto . Did add the fresh basil leaves at the end for a great look. Yum!!
  47. 47
    Caz
    April 1 2019
    Can this be frozen do you think ?
    Reply: #48
  48. 48
    Reply to comment #47 by Caz
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    April 2 2019

    Can this be frozen do you think ?

    Yes, this would freeze and reheat without issue.

  49. 49
    Julie Laamag
    April 12 2019
    Can I use cauliflower and broccoli chopped up in place of cabbage?
    Reply: #50
  50. 50
    Reply to comment #49 by Julie Laamag
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    April 12 2019

    Can I use cauliflower and broccoli chopped up in place of cabbage?

    That would change the composition of the dish significantly but if you like broccoli and cauliflower but don't like cabbage then it might be a good substitute for you.

1 2

Leave a reply

Reply to comment #21 by Charlene

.