Asian Style Ground Beef Cabbage Wraps Recipe

Ground beef: This is the main protein that makes the wraps filling and satisfying.

Cabbage: Large cabbage leaves are used as the wraps instead of bread or tortillas, giving a fresh crunch.

Minced garlic: Adds a strong, savory flavor that makes the beef taste even better.

Soy sauce: A salty, umami sauce that brings depth to the beef mixture.

Hoisin sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce that adds a unique Asian flavor.

Sesame oil: A little goes a long way to give a nutty aroma and taste.

Grated ginger: Fresh ginger adds a bit of spice and brightness to the dish.

Green onions: These add a mild onion flavor and a pop of color when mixed in.

One of the most important steps in this recipe is browning the ground beef just right. Here’s how you can do it so your beef turns out flavorful and not soggy or burnt.

1. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat before adding the ground beef. This helps the meat start cooking immediately and get a nice color.
2. When you add the beef, spread it out evenly in the pan. Don’t stir it right away—let it sit for a couple of minutes. This gives the meat a chance to brown and develop a richer taste.
3. After a few minutes, start breaking the beef into smaller pieces with your spatula. Keep stirring occasionally so it cooks evenly.
4. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and has a nice brown color all over. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.

Browning the ground beef like this makes a big difference because it adds a deep, savory flavor to the dish. If you just stir it constantly or cook it too fast, the meat can end up steamed or mushy, which isn’t as tasty.

When I first tried this, I was impatient and kept stirring the beef right away. The result was a pale, bland mixture that didn’t have much flavor. Waiting a little before stirring really changed everything! Also, if you want to save time, you can use a nonstick skillet so the meat doesn’t stick and cleanup is easier.

Once your ground beef is perfectly browned, you’re ready to add the garlic, ginger, and sauces for that delicious Asian flavor. It’s a simple trick that makes the whole dish better!

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and absorbs flavors well, making it a healthier alternative.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground pork: Ground pork provides a similar texture and richness, enhancing the dish's flavor profile.

• large cabbage - Substitute with lettuce leaves: Lettuce leaves are lighter and provide a fresh, crisp texture, making them a great alternative for wraps.

• large cabbage - Substitute with collard greens: Collard greens are sturdy and can hold fillings well, offering a slightly different but pleasant taste.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used for convenience and provides a similar garlic flavor.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter taste and can add a different depth of flavor to the dish.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that provides a similar umami flavor.

• soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos are a soy-free option with a slightly sweeter taste, suitable for those avoiding soy.

• hoisin sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce offers a similar sweet and savory profile, making it a good alternative.

• hoisin sauce - Substitute with plum sauce: Plum sauce provides a sweet and tangy flavor, closely matching the taste of hoisin sauce.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a versatile oil that can be used in place of sesame oil, though it lacks the nutty flavor.

• sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil has a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable alternative for cooking.

• grated ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used in place of fresh ginger, though it is more concentrated, so use less.

• grated ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal offers a similar spicy and aromatic flavor, adding an interesting twist to the dish.

• chopped green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives provide a mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish or mixed into the filling.

• chopped green onions - Substitute with leeks: Leeks have a milder, sweeter taste and can add a different texture and flavor to the wraps.

• Allow the ground beef mixture to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the cabbage leaves soggy.

• Separate the cabbage leaves from the beef mixture if you plan to store them for more than a day. This keeps the leaves crisp and fresh.

• Store the beef mixture in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• Place the cabbage leaves in a separate airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to maintain their freshness.

• For freezing, portion the beef mixture into individual servings. Use freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents.

• Freeze the beef mixture for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

• Do not freeze the cabbage leaves as they can become mushy upon thawing. Instead, prepare fresh cabbage leaves when ready to serve.

• To reheat, warm the beef mixture in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Alternatively, use a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

• Assemble the wraps just before serving to ensure the cabbage leaves remain crisp and the beef mixture is warm and flavorful.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the ground beef cabbage wraps on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check if heated through; if not, continue in 30-second intervals.
  4. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Arrange the cabbage wraps in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
  5. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of sesame oil or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the cabbage wraps in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly heated.
  5. Remove from the skillet and serve immediately.

• Steamer Method:

  1. Set up your steamer and bring the water to a boil.
  2. Place the cabbage wraps in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
  4. Carefully remove the wraps from the steamer and serve.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the cabbage wraps in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they don't overcook.
  4. Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving.

• Skillet: A large, flat-bottomed pan used for browning the ground beef and cooking the garlic and ginger mixture.

• Spatula: A tool used to stir and break up the ground beef as it cooks.

• Knife: Essential for mincing the garlic, grating the ginger, and chopping the green onions.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely chop and prepare the garlic, ginger, and green onions.

• Grater: Used to grate the fresh ginger for the recipe.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.

• Mixing bowl: Used to hold the chopped green onions until they are ready to be mixed into the beef.

• Tongs: Helpful for separating and handling the cabbage leaves without tearing them.

• Serving platter: A dish to arrange and serve the cabbage wraps once they are filled with the beef mixture.

Prepare the filling: Cook the ground beef mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you only need to reheat it when ready to serve.

Use pre-minced ingredients: Buy pre-minced garlic and ginger to save chopping time.

Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.

Microwave cabbage leaves: Soften cabbage leaves in the microwave for a few seconds instead of boiling them.

Pre-chop green onions: Chop green onions ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.