Description
This Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry is a quick, flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Lean ground beef is cooked with crisp cabbage and carrots in a savory garlic-ginger soy sauce, delivering a delicious and satisfying meal in under 30 minutes. Serve it over rice, noodles, or enjoy it on its own for a healthy and comforting dinner that’s loaded with protein and veggies.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Stir-Fry
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably lean)
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, julienned or grated
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use low sodium if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
To Serve (optional)
- Cooked white or brown rice, or noodles
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, black pepper, and cornstarch (if using). Set aside.
- Cook the Beef Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate and drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan. Stir in the onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook until fragrant and the onion is soft, about 2 minutes.
- Cook the Vegetables Add the sliced cabbage and carrots to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until the cabbage is slightly wilted but still crisp.
- Combine and Season Return the cooked beef to the pan. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together to coat evenly. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Finish and Serve Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- For extra heat, add chili garlic sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- Substitute ground chicken, pork, or turkey for the beef if preferred.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge and make a great lunch the next day.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
