Easy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
A quick and flavorful Easy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry that combines tender ground beef with crisp cabbage in a savory soy-based sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan dish offers a perfect balance of protein and fiber, ideal for busy weeknights or simple, wholesome dinners.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean or medium ground beef
- 4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Sauces and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Oils
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely slice the cabbage and green onions. Mince the garlic and ginger to have everything ready before cooking, ensuring a smooth and fast process.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart for even texture.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger with the browned beef. Cook for about one minute until fragrant, avoiding burning the garlic.
- Toss in the Cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook until the cabbage softens slightly but remains crisp.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes if using. Pour over the beef and cabbage and toss well to coat evenly.
- Finish with Sesame Oil and Green Onions: Drizzle sesame oil over the stir fry and toss in the sliced green onions just before removing from heat to maintain their freshness and color.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the cabbage to keep a crisp-tender texture.
- Brown the beef well to develop depth of flavor.
- Taste the sauce before adding more soy sauce to control saltiness.
- Cook on high heat to sear quickly and lock in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: ground beef stir fry, cabbage stir fry, quick Chinese recipe, easy dinner, gluten free stir fry, weeknight meal, beef and cabbage