Various versions of this quick dinner have been hitting Aussie dinner tables for decades. I'm a fan – and here I'm sharing my recipe for Cabbage Mince Chow Mein plus plenty of ideas on how people like to change it up.
If, like me, you're a fan of this retro classic, you can probably taste the above photo right now. And that's a good feeling!
If you haven't tried it before, you may not be feeling so positive. I admit that this dish is not so easy on the eye. But it is pretty easy on the wallet! It's also nutritious, absolutely delicious and you don't need to have much cooking experience to put it together. Ready to wow your family?
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Ingredient notes
To make up this dish that'll feed about 4 to 6 people, you'll need:
- beef mince
- onion
- carrots
- beef stock cube
- Keen's curry powder
- chicken noodle simmer soup
- soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- olive or vegetable oil
- uncooked rice
- water
- cabbage
- salt and pepper.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
How to make Chow Mein with beef mince and cabbage
Grab a wok or large frypan, chop the onion and then cook it in the oil over medium heat for a few minutes or until translucent.
Grate the carrot, add it to the mix and cook for another minute or two.
Increase the heat to high and add the beef mince. Cook until the meat is browned all over. Use a wooden turner or spoon to chop the mince as it cooks.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the beef stock powder, curry powder, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chicken noodle soup, rice and salt and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes.
Add the water. Mix well and bring to the boil. Simmer, covered, on low heat for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally and add a little more water if the mixture starts to dry out or stick to the bottom of the pan.
While it's cooking, shred the cabbage or chop it finely.
Add the shredded cabbage and continue to simmer, uncovered for about 10 minutes or until cabbage is cooked to your liking.
Again, stir occasionally and add a little more water of the mixture starts to dry out and stick to the bottom of the pan.
That's it! Dinner is served.
Substitutions and variations
There are so many variations of this popular little recipe. This one is simply the way I like to make it. You can follow it or use it as a base and then:
- Add more veges - use half the amount of cabbage and add grated zucchini, diced celery or chopped beans instead (add while adding the grated carrot).
- Add more rice - double the amount of rice in the recipe (and you'll also need to add about a cup more water).
Here are some more recipes I came across in community cookbooks to give you more variation inspo:
And, as you can see, it's not just the ingredients that change from recipe to recipe. Cabbage and Mince Chow Mein is also known as Ki Si Min, Mince Curry Cabbage, Aussie Chow Mien, Savoury Chow Mien, Cantonese Cabbage, Cabbage Mince, Chop Suey – and there are probably a tonne more. Tell me in the comments below if you call it something else.
Enjoying your meal
I enjoy this meal on its own, however you can serve it with more rice or extra veges.
Home cooks who follow my Facebook page also had these great ideas for using leftovers:
- use it as a filling for a toasted sandwich
- slop it on a slice of toast
- roll it up in spring roll wrappers and cook.
Finally, it should last a few days in the fridge and can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.
(And if you want something sweet and simple afterwards, I recommend Creamed Rice or Apple Sponge.)
Top tip
Keep an eye on this dish as it cooks and remember to add more water if it is drying out and sticking to the bottom of the pan!
More easy dinner recipes we've loved forever
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Cabbage Mince Chow Mein
Equipment
- large frypan or wok
Ingredients
- 500 grams beef mince
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 2 carrots (grated)
- ½ beef stock cube
- 2 teaspoons Keen's curry powder
- 1 packet chicken noodle simmer soup (45 gram dry mix)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
- ½ cup uncooked rice (no need to rinse)
- 3 cups water
- ½ medium-large Savoy cabbage (shredded or finely sliced)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Add oil and chopped onion to the frypan or wok. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes or until translucent.
- Add grated carrot and cook for another minute or two.
- Increase heat to high and add the beef mince. Cook until the meat is browned all over. Use a wooden turner or spoon to chop the mince as it cooks.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the beef stock powder, curry powder, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chicken noodle soup, rice and salt and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add the water. Mix well and bring to the boil. Simmer, covered, on low heat for approximately 15 minutes. Stir occasionally and add a little more water if the mixture starts to dry out and stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the shredded cabbage and continue to simmer, uncovered for about 10 minutes or until cabbage is cooked to your liking. Again, stir occasionally and add a little more water of the mixture starts to dry out and stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Serve immediately.
Diane Horne says
Delicious!
Janelle says
This is my sons favourite dinner the recipe is awesome, easy to follow and so tasty. Thank you
Libby Hakim says
So happy to hear this! Enjoy!
Kerry says
This recipe was lovely!! I didn't have the noodle soup, unfortunately, this time. For a modern touch (and because I had it in the garden) I finished the dish with a squeeze of lime juice and fresh green coriander. Thank you for the recipe and great site!!
Anne Lambkin says
Hi Libby
I've been following you for some time and just had to write to congratulate you on your site. It's wonderful to see so many of the old recipes I grew up with in the 50's & 60's being published by you. You are doing a great job and introducing a lot of people to the wonderful tastes and treats from some time back. Keep up the great work and congratulations. I hope you continue to come up with all those great recipes and introduce a lot more people to the joys of cooking/baking. A.L.
Libby Hakim says
That's so lovely to hear - thanks Anne 🙂 Happy cooking x
Nicci says
i havent actually tried this recipe yet but im about to. ive been craving for my mums Chow Mein and searching for how she used to make it (could only remember what it looks like and that she didnt add noodles!) and believe ive finally found it! im so excited im heading to shops now for the ingredients!
Thankyou so much!
Dana says
I made this recipe tonight and it was a real hit, tasty. I used 1/4 head of cabbage not 1/2 head.
Libby Hakim says
Thanks for the feedback, Dana 🙂
Nicci says
i havent actually tried this recipe yet but im about to. ive been craving for my mums Chow Mein and searching for how she used to make it (could only remember what it looks like and that she didnt add noodles!) and believe ive finally found it! im so excited im heading to shops now for the ingredients!
Thankyou so much!
Libby Hakim says
Woohoo - hope it's as awesome as you remember 🙂
Megan Scott says
Growing up in the 1960’s, it used to be called Chop Suey, my nana used to make it as well as my mum, now I’m making it for own grandchildren. Same ingredients except for the Worcestershire sauce, I cook it all in the microwave and cook the rice seperate. There used to be a microwave Continental recipe on the back of the chicken noodle soup packet.
Judy says
For years I have made my chow mein as I called it one way but lately it’s had no flavour when I saw your recipe. I thought I would try it and it is delicious. Thank you so much.
Libby Hakim says
Hi Judy. You're very welcome! Enjoy your (tastier) chow mein 🙂
Pamela McEwing says
Delicious and very simple to make! Much tastier than sachets and just about as quick. I'll definitely make this again.
Libby Hakim says
Thanks for the positive feedback, Pamela! Enjoy 🙂
Julie Peacock says
This cabbage mince chow mein recipe is a five star recipe.Have tried many cabbage mince recipes over the years and this one is the best by far.The cooking method make for a very tasty dish.
Libby Hakim says
Thanks for the five star rating and helpful review, Julie. xx
Jan says
great recipe I also add a tin of crushed pineapple which adds a little bit of sweetness
Libby Hakim says
Nice idea - I'll try it! Thanks
Lou says
When I was growing up in Western Australia, we called this Hi Fi Min. Just another variation.
Michelle says
Lou I'm a Sandgroper too and my Mum's version of this recipe is called Hi Jill Mim. I'm looking forward to trying this tomorrow night!
Grania McCudden says
Lou, I’m also from Western Australia and my mother referred to this recipe as Hi Fi Min as well! I like the name Hi Jill Mim, too. 🙂
Libby says
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do 🙂