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Easy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe

Easy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe

This Easy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful weeknight meal combining tender ground beef and crisp green cabbage in a savory, garlicky sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a balanced taste of savory, sweet, and umami notes, perfect for a healthy, hearty, and family-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 1 lb ground beef

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)

Seasonings & Sauces

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Garnishes

  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and finely shred the cabbage, mince the garlic and ginger, and slice the green onions. This preparation ensures even and quick cooking during the stir-fry process.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Add Aromatics: Push the cooked beef to one side of the pan. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the hot pan and let them sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then stir them into the beef.
  4. Stir-Fry the Cabbage: Add the shredded cabbage to the pan and toss everything together. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, letting the cabbage wilt slightly while keeping a crisp, vibrant texture.
  5. Season and Combine: Pour in the soy sauce, drizzle sesame oil, and sprinkle brown sugar or honey along with optional red pepper flakes. Stir well to coat all ingredients and heat through evenly.
  6. Finish with Green Onions: Remove the stir fry from heat and stir in the sliced green onions for fresh flavor before serving.

Notes

  • Use a hot pan to develop deep flavor and avoid steaming the cabbage.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to keep a good sear.
  • Fresh ginger provides brighter flavor than powdered ginger.
  • Adjust the amount of brown sugar or honey based on your preferred sweet and savory balance.
  • Cook initially with a neutral oil, then finish with toasted sesame oil for enhanced flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef stir fry, Chinese stir fry, cabbage stir fry, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, healthy stir fry, gluten free, family-friendly