Cabbage & Carrot Beef Stew (Stovetop)
A hearty, slow-simmered stew of ground beef, cabbage, carrots, and celery in a savory broth, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner. This french-inspired beef (whole30) ready in about 50 minutes pairs pounds ground beef, shredded cabbage, medium, sliced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 2 cups, shredded cabbage
- 2 medium, sliced carrots
- 2 stalks, chopped celery
- 4 cups bone broth
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1.5 pounds ground beef and cook for 7-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 cups shredded cabbage, 2 medium sliced carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks; cook for 3 minutes to soften slightly.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups bone broth, add 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves; bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until carrots are tender and flavors meld, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves and serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh thyme.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cabbage & Carrot Beef Stew (Stovetop) take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cabbage & Carrot Beef Stew (Stovetop)?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cabbage & Carrot Beef Stew (Stovetop)?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cabbage & Carrot Beef Stew (Stovetop) for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cabbage & Carrot Beef Stew (Stovetop) whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
