Chinese-Style Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

6

A quick and flavorful Chinese-style Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry made with tender beef, crisp cabbage, garlic, ginger, and a savory soy-based sauce. It’s an easy one-pan meal that’s budget-friendly, nutritious, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Stir-Fry

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (if needed)
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 5 cups shredded cabbage (about ½ large cabbage)
• 1 carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
• 3 green onions, sliced

Sauce

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp honey or brown sugar
• ½ tsp chili flakes or chili oil (optional)
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Garnish (Optional)

• Sesame seeds
• Extra green onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Sriracha or chili crisp

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce.
   • Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, chili flakes, and black pepper in a small bowl.
2. Cook the beef.
   • Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
   • Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
   • Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add aromatics.
   • Add onion, garlic, and ginger.
   • Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Cook the vegetables.
   • Add cabbage and carrots.
   • Stir-fry for 4–6 minutes until the cabbage is slightly softened but still has some crunch.
5. Add the sauce.
   • Pour the sauce over the mixture.
   • Toss everything together and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
6. Finish and serve.
   • Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.
   • Serve hot.

Serving Ideas

• Steamed white rice
• Jasmine rice
• Fried rice
• Rice noodles
• Lettuce wraps
• Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option

Optional Add-Ins

• Sliced mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Baby corn
• Water chestnuts
• Scrambled egg
• Red pepper flakes for extra heat

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until hot.

Tips for Best Flavor

• Cook the beef until nicely browned for deeper flavor.
• Keep the cabbage slightly crisp for the best stir-fry texture.
• Add a splash of Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine) if available for a more authentic taste.
• For a richer sauce, add 1 teaspoon of hoisin sauce.

This simple beef and cabbage stir-fry is a delicious weeknight meal with classic Chinese-inspired flavors—savory, slightly sweet, garlicky, and satisfying. 🥢