Name: Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated; 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp sesame oil; 3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Introduction

This Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Combining tender ground beef with crisp cabbage and savory garlic-ginger sauce creates a satisfying and wholesome meal.

A close-up view of a dish served on a white plate showing a mix of cooked ground meat and vegetables. The dish has roughly chopped light green cabbage leaves that are slightly soft, mixed evenly with small brown crumbled cooked meat pieces. Among them are bright orange carrot sticks and pieces of green vegetables, with some dark leafy bits scattered around. The food looks moist and shiny, with the colors contrasting clearly against the white plate and a white marbled surface in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients by mincing the garlic and ginger, and slicing the cabbage into thin strips.
Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
Step 3: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for about one minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Add the sliced cabbage to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to wilt but remains slightly crisp.
Step 6: Pour in the soy sauce, mix well, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Step 7: Drizzle the sesame oil over the stir-fry just before serving and garnish with the chopped green onions.

Tips & Variations

For added crunch, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.
Swap ground beef for ground pork or turkey for a different protein option.
Add a splash of rice vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a stir-fry dish served in a white bowl, showing three main layers: a base of cooked light green cabbage pieces with a glossy texture, mixed throughout with bright orange carrot slices and dark leafy greens; on top, generously sprinkled cooked ground meat that is brown and crumbly, evenly spread across the vegetables; the whole dish has a shiny, oily glaze giving it a fresh, hot look, sitting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cabbage for this recipe?

While fresh cabbage is best for texture, you can use frozen cabbage if pressed to remove excess moisture. Cook it a bit longer to prevent sogginess.

Is this dish gluten-free?

This recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce.

Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 309 reviews

This Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dish combining lean ground beef with fresh cabbage, garlic, and ginger. Enhanced with soy sauce and sesame oil, it’s an easy skillet meal perfect for a weeknight dinner that delivers savory Asian-inspired flavors.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp sesame oil
3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Mince the garlic and grate the fresh ginger. Thinly slice the green cabbage into strips to ensure even cooking.
Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer, indicating it is hot enough for cooking.
Cook Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked through with no pink remaining.
Sauté Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger into the cooked beef. Continue to sauté for about one minute until the garlic and ginger release their fragrant aroma.
Add Cabbage: Incorporate the thinly sliced cabbage into the skillet with the beef mixture. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cabbage softens and slightly wilts but still retains some crunch.
Season with Soy Sauce: Pour in 3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients and allow the flavors to meld while cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
Finish and Garnish: Drizzle 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over the stir fry and stir to incorporate. Remove from heat, then sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top before serving to add freshness and color.

Notes

Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and keep the dish healthy.
Adjust soy sauce quantity to your taste and dietary sodium needs.
To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
For added texture and flavor, you can include sliced bell peppers or carrots along with the cabbage.
Serve this stir fry over steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

Keywords: Chinese ground beef stir fry, cabbage stir fry, quick Asian recipe, healthy beef recipe, easy weeknight dinner