Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef and onion in hot oil until beef is browned and crumbly and onion is soft, 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir water, tomato sauce, cabbage, brown sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, white sugar, black pepper, and onion powder into ground beef mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer until flavors combine and cabbage is tender, at least 2 hours.