Description
This Chinese Ground Beef Cabbage Stir-Fry is a quick and flavorful dish combining lean ground beef with crisp cabbage and vibrant aromatics, all cooked in a savory sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that balances protein and vegetables with Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Vegetables
- 1 small head green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced (separate white and green portions)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
Sauces and Oils
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Spices and Sweeteners
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar or sweetener
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha, ground white pepper, and sugar until well combined. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Brown the ground beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is browned and fully cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Infuse aromatics: Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white portions of the sliced green onions to the browned beef. Stir-fry this mixture for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring the aromatics release their flavors.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the thinly sliced cabbage and julienned carrot to the skillet. Stir-fry the vegetables with the beef for 5 to 7 minutes until the cabbage becomes tender but still crisp, maintaining a nice texture.
- Finish with sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce is heated through and slightly reduced.
- Plate and serve: Remove the stir-fry from heat. Garnish with the green portions of the sliced green onions for a fresh finish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute tamari for soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha according to your preferred spice level.
- For a lower-fat version, use extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Adding a splash of water or broth while stir-frying the vegetables can help them cook evenly without drying out.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
