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Samoan Corned Beef and Cabbage (Pisupo)

Samoan pisupo recipe: shredded cabbage simmered with salty corned beef, onion, and a splash of coconut cream. A quick, comforting Samoan weeknight dinner.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Samoan Corned Beef and Cabbage (Pisupo)

Pisupo, the Samoan word for corned beef, comes from the pronunciation of the old ship supply label beef suet and pork, but the name stuck to the canned beef that became a pantry staple across the islands. In Samoa, pisupo is not just emergency food — it is a beloved ingredient in its own right, and this cabbage stir-fry is one of the most comforting ways it is eaten. It is the dish many Samoans remember eating at home after school.

What makes it great: the salty, beefy crumbles soften into sweet wilted cabbage and onion in minutes, making it one of the fastest hearty dinners in the Samoan kitchen. A splash of coconut cream at the end turns it silky and rich, and it tastes even better the next day tucked into bread or piled over rice.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large pot or wok over medium-high heat and saute the onion until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the cabbage and stir-fry until it begins to wilt, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the corned beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and stir everything together.
  5. Pour in the water, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes until the cabbage is tender.
  6. Stir in the coconut cream and simmer 5 minutes more until slightly thickened.
  7. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then serve hot with rice or boiled taro.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Corned beef is quite salty, so season sparingly at the end. A squeeze of lime or a chopped fresh chili on top adds brightness if you like a little heat.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →