Description
A quick and flavorful Easy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry that combines tender ground beef with fresh, crunchy cabbage in a savory umami sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this wholesome dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is highly adaptable to your dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins & Vegetables
- 1 lb lean or regular ground beef
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, chopped
Sauces & Oils
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Optional Ingredients
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (to mix with cornstarch)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and finely shred the cabbage. Mince the garlic and grate the fresh ginger. Chop the green onions and measure out the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil so everything is ready before cooking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Push the cooked beef to one side of the pan. Add the garlic and ginger to the cleared space and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Mix everything together, then pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and drizzle the sesame oil. Stir well to coat the beef evenly.
- Stir Fry the Cabbage: Add the shredded cabbage to the pan. Toss or stir fry for 3 to 5 minutes until the cabbage is slightly tender but still crisp. If the mixture seems dry, splash in a bit of water or broth to help steam the cabbage.
- Finish and Garnish: If a thicker sauce is desired, mix cornstarch with cold water and add it now, stirring until the sauce thickens. Sprinkle chopped green onions and red pepper flakes on top before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches for better browning and texture.
- Use fresh ginger instead of powdered for vibrant flavor.
- Shred cabbage thinly for faster cooking and better integration with beef.
- Add sesame oil at the end to retain its nutty aroma.
- Cook over high heat to keep vegetables crisp and beef tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Chinese stir fry, ground beef recipe, cabbage stir fry, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, savory beef recipe, gluten free stir fry