$9 Peppery Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry
$9 Peppery Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry
An EBT-friendly stir-fry that’s ready in 20 minutes. Bold black pepper flavor with tender beef and crunchy cabbage.
Total Cost of Ingredients Used: $8.00-$10.00
(Cost reflects only what’s used in the recipe, not full package prices)
Ingredients:
- .5 lb flank steak (or sirloin)
- .5 head green cabbage
- 1 onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 soy sauce (divided)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 tsp sugar
- .5 cup water
Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.
Instructions
Marinate the beef: Thinly slice ½ lb flank steak against the grain. In a bowl, mix beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tsp oil. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
Prep vegetables: While beef marinates, thinly slice ½ head green cabbage (about 4 cups), 1 onion, and 3 garlic cloves. Keep cabbage separate from onion and garlic.
Sear the beef: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add marinated beef in a single layer and sear 1-2 minutes per side until browned but not cooked through. Remove to a plate.
Stir-fry vegetables: In same pan, add 1 more tbsp oil if needed. Add onion and garlic, cook 2 minutes until fragrant. Add sliced cabbage and cook 4-5 minutes until wilted but still crunchy.
Combine and sauce: Return beef to pan. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or more soy sauce), 1 tsp sugar, and ½ cup water. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and add more black pepper if desired.
A bold, peppery stir-fry that’s satisfying and ready in 20 minutes.
This EBT-friendly black pepper beef and cabbage stir-fry is a weeknight warrior. Cabbage stays crisp-tender, providing texture and volume, while the black pepper creates a warming, aromatic sauce that coats every bite. It’s simple, satisfying, and makes the most of affordable ingredients.
Budget Grocery List + Cost Breakdown
All items EBT-eligible. Prices based on Walmart/ALDI.
Protein & Vegetables
Used in recipe: ½ lb flank steak ($3.50) + ½ head green cabbage ($0.75) + 1 onion ($0.35)
Package cost: $7.00 (1lb) + $1.50 (whole) + $0.70 = $9.20 total
Pantry & Sauces
Used in recipe: Soy sauce ($0.30) + oyster sauce ($0.25) + oil ($0.20) + garlic ($0.10)
Package cost: $2.00 + $2.50 + $3.00 + $0.50 = $8.00 total
Seasonings
Used in recipe: Black pepper ($0.08) + cornstarch ($0.03) + sugar ($0.02)
Package cost: $1.00 + $1.00 + $1.00 = $3.00 total
Total Used in Recipe: $8.08-$10.08
Serves 2-3 people • Cost per serving: $2.69-$5.04
Note: Use ground black pepper for best flavor. Add carrots or bell peppers if you have them. Serve over rice to stretch the meal further.
