This Easy Low Carb Cabbage Beef Stroganoff delivers creamy, restaurant-quality comfort in 30 minutes with just 7 grams of carbs per serving.
Tender sautéed cabbage replaces noodles, soaking up a silky sour cream sauce infused with Worcestershire, Dijon, and earthy mushrooms. Ground beef, onions, and garlic round out this one-pan stroganoff packed with 20 grams of protein.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Low Carb Cabbage Beef Stroganoff
🕒 Ready In: 30 minutes
👪 Serves: 6 servings
🍽 Calories: 281 | Protein: 20g | Carbs: 7g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g
🥣 Main Ingredients: Cabbage, Ground Beef, Cream Cheese
📖 Dietary Info: low carb, gluten free, high protein
👌 Difficulty: Easy one-pan meal
Summarize & Save This Recipe On
I've been creating low-carb cabbage recipes for my family for years, and this stroganoff is one of our go-to weeknight dinners that actually tastes delicious without the carb guilt.
If you love this easy stroganoff, you'll want to try my other cabbage skillet recipes: my Low Carb Cabbage Alfredo for creamy pasta vibes, Low Carb Sausage and Cabbage Skillet for a spiced-up one-pan meal, Low Carb Cabbage Carbonara for a take on the Italian classic and my Low Carb Thai Eggroll in a Bowl for something with Asian-inspired flavor.
For another easy one-pan meal, you might enjoy this Low Carb Thai Red Curry Chicken recipe.
Jump To:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- What Is Low Carb Cabbage Beef Stroganoff?
- Why Cabbage Beef Stroganoff Works for Low Carb Diets
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Step by step instructions
- How to make low carb cabbage beef stroganoff?
- Recipe Tips
- Why We Used Ground Beef Instead of Steak?
- Variations and Flavor Swaps
- Macros and Nutrition
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More low carb dinner recipes
- Recipe Card
What Is Low Carb Cabbage Beef Stroganoff?
Low carb cabbage beef stroganoff is creamy ground beef and mushrooms served over tender sautéed cabbage instead of noodles. One serving has just 7 grams of carbs compared to 40 plus grams in traditional noodle stroganoff.
The sauce is silky and tangy from sour cream and cream cheese, with deep umami from beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and mushrooms. It's savory, satisfying, and tastes like the stroganoff you crave.
Best For: Low carb, keto, meal prep and weeknight family dinners.
Pro Tip: This easy stroganoff builds flavor layer by layer. Speed comes from ingredient prep, not shortcuts. Sauté your cabbage fully. Brown your beef properly. Let your sauce simmer.
Why Cabbage Beef Stroganoff Works for Low Carb Diets
- One serving contains 281 calories and 7 grams of carbs. Traditional noodle stroganoff contains 40 plus grams of carbs per serving.
- Cabbage has a neutral flavor, absorbs sauce and becomes tender when sautéed; it functions like pasta without carbs.
- Each serving provides 20 grams of protein, which keeps you full longer and prevents hunger crashes.
- The dish cooks in one pan, less cleanup and no extra dishes.
- It's affordable and budget-friendly; ground beef, cabbage, mushrooms, and sour cream cost less than specialty keto products.
Ingredient Breakdown
This easy stroganoff uses simple, affordable items; you likely have most of these on hand already.
- Cabbage: replaces noodles and absorbs the creamy sauce while staying tender. Use half a head and slice it into thin strips; thinner slices cook faster and soften more easily.
- Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard: add umami, the savory fifth taste that makes the entire dish crave worthy.
- Ground beef and beef broth: builds deep flavor. Chicken or vegetable broth lacks the savory depth that makes stroganoff taste like stroganoff.
- Sour cream and cream cheese: Cream cheese adds richness and thickening power. Sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess. Together they create a silky, complex sauce that tastes savory and slightly tangy.
- Canned mushrooms
- Onion and garlic
- Dried thyme
- Olive oil, salt and black pepper
* See the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step by step instructions
How to make low carb cabbage beef stroganoff?
- Step 1: Sauté the Cabbage
- Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
STEP 1: Slice cabbage into thin strips. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
STEP 2: In the same skillet, add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Remove beef from the pan and set aside.
- Step 3: Build the Sauce
- Finish the One Pan Meal
STEP 3: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet; cook until soft. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. Pour in beef broth and simmer. Reduce heat to low and whisk in sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add canned mushrooms and stir to combine.
STEP 4: Return the cooked beef and cabbage to the skillet. Stir until everything is warmed through and coated with the creamy sauce. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Build Flavor Layer by Layer: Sauté cabbage fully until tender, brown beef properly without crowding the pan, and let the sauce simmer after adding broth to concentrate flavor.
- Temper Your Sour Cream: Sour cream may curdle when it comes into contact with hot sauce. Whisk a little warm sauce into the sour cream first, then add the mixture back to the pan.
- Don't Skip the Simmer: After adding beef broth, let it simmer for two to three minutes. This reduces liquid and concentrates the savory flavor.
- Use Full Fat Sour Cream Only: Low fat sour cream is watery and curdles easily. Full fat sour cream creates a rich, creamy sauce that holds together during cooking and reheating.
- Let Cream Cheese Fully Incorporate: Whisk cream cheese for two to three minutes until completely smooth. Lumpy cream cheese creates an uneven, grainy texture.
Why We Used Ground Beef Instead of Steak?
- Ground Beef Wins on Budget: It costs significantly less than sirloin or flank steak. You save money per serving while the dish tastes equally satisfying. The savings add up when cooking for families.
- Ground Beef Wins on Speed: Sliced steak requires time to slice thinly. Ground beef cooks evenly in one pan without needing to manage different cooking times for different pieces.
- Ground Beef Wins on Ease: No special knife skills needed. No slicing. You brown the beef, make the sauce and finish the dish. The entire recipe takes 25 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Sliced steak stroganoff tastes wonderful if you have the time and budget.
- For weeknight dinners and families on a tight budget, ground beef is the practical choice that doesn't sacrifice flavor.
Variations and Flavor Swaps
- Swap Worcestershire sauce for soy sauce or coconut aminos for an Asian inspired twist.
- Stir in mustard powder instead of Dijon for sharper, more pungent flavor.
- Try different mushroom varieties like cremini, portobello or shiitake; each brings different umami notes to the sauce.
- Add sherry or brandy for optional richness and complexity.
- Pro Tip: Traditional stroganoff has paprika. If you love that smoky flavor, add one teaspoon at the mushroom stage for the best result.
Macros and Nutrition
Calories: 281. Protein: 20 grams, which keeps you full longer. Fat: 20 grams, Carbs: 7 grams, Fiber: 2 grams.
Which Diets Does This Fit? This easy stroganoff works for keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30, LCHF and diabetic friendly eating plans.
Paleo and Whole30: This recipe uses cream cheese. Check your brand for additives if you follow strict paleo or Whole30 guidelines; some brands contain gums or stabilizers.
Storage
- Store leftover stroganoff in the fridge in an airtight container for three to five days.
- Freezing: Freeze the sauce and beef separately from the cabbage for best texture; the cabbage becomes mushy when frozen with liquid. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Stovetop reheating works best. Use low heat and stir gently. Add a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened.
- Microwave leftovers in 30 second bursts for one to two minutes total. Stir between bursts to heat evenly. This method works but doesn't reheat as smoothly as the stovetop.
Make a full batch on Sunday for meal prep and portion into containers for the week. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze individual portions for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, use one cup heavy cream instead and reduce sour cream to half a cup. The sauce will be slightly thinner and more sauce like, but still creamy; note that it thickens less without cream cheese's binding power, so you may need to simmer longer.
Sour cream breaks down when boiled; reheating over high heat causes the emulsion to separate. Reheat on low heat while stirring constantly and add a splash of broth to restore creaminess.
Yes, this recipe has 7 grams of carbs per serving versus 40 to 50 grams in traditional noodle stroganoff; the carb difference comes from cabbage noodles. If you prefer regular noodles, try Palmini, shirataki or low carb egg noodles, which have 10 to 15 grams of carbs per serving.
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Recipe Card
Low Carb Cabbage Beef Stroganoff
RECIPE VIDEO
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ head of cabbage sliced into strips
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper divided
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 cup beef broth
- 4 oz sour cream
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 1 can sliced mushrooms 284ml / 10 oz
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Slice cabbage into thin strips and add to the skillet with salt and black pepper. Sauté until tender. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add ground beef to the same skillet over medium high heat. Break into small pieces as it cooks until browned. Remove beef from the pan and set aside.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until soft.
- Stir in dried thyme, salt and black pepper. Add Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard; mix well.
- Pour in beef broth and simmer for a few minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Whisk in sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Stir in canned sliced mushrooms.
- Return the cooked beef and sautéed cabbage to the skillet, stir until warmed through and fully coated with the creamy sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Best served immediately while the sauce is silky and the cabbage is tender.
- Leftovers keep in an airtight container for three to five days. Reheat on low heat with a splash of broth to prevent the sauce from separating.
- You can freeze the sauce and beef separately from the cabbage for up to two to three months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If the video and recipe card differ, follow the recipe card for the latest ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooked food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more food guidelines
Holly S says
This recipe was fantastic and I’ll definitely be making it again! My only change is that I’ll boil the cabbage, just because I like a softer texture better. I’m looking forward to adding this into the monthly rotation. Thanks for sharing!
Oscar Chimenti says
Thank you. Boiling the cabbage is a great idea, I do that sometimes too.
TJE says
This is a keeper! Nice and creamy and filling. I didn't cook the cabbage long enough. Next time I'll cook it a little longer, but I didn't mind the crunch. Thanks for the recipe.
JJ says
great idea to use Cabbage for Noodles , will try it
Nona says
Oscar, thank you!
Got your email just on time!
I’ll try this recipe as it looks like easy to cook with available ingredients!
Bravo!
Blessings!
Oscar Chimenti says
Thank you, I really enjoyed it.
Oscar Chimenti says
This creamy, easy stroganoff tastes amazing but keeps you under 7 grams of carbs; it's the weeknight comfort food that actually works.