Description
Healthy Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful dish combining lean ground beef, fresh cabbage, and classic Chinese seasonings. It is naturally gluten-free, easy to make under 30 minutes, and perfect for a balanced, satisfying meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 green onions, sliced
Seasonings & Sauces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the green cabbage, mince the garlic and ginger, and slice the green onions. Having all ingredients ready will streamline the cooking process.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink.
- Add Aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the pan and add minced garlic and ginger. Stir quickly and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir Fry the Cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage to the pan, tossing it with the beef and aromatics. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the cabbage softens but remains slightly crunchy.
- Season the Stir Fry: Pour in soy sauce, add a splash of rice vinegar, and drizzle sesame oil. Toss everything well to evenly coat and blend the flavors.
- Finish with Green Onions and Heat: Mix in sliced green onions and red pepper flakes if desired. Give one final toss and remove from heat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a hot pan to brown beef nicely and keep vegetables crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the cabbage.
- Adjust seasoning by tasting before serving; add more soy sauce or vinegar as needed.
- Prefer fresh garlic, ginger, and vegetables for authentic, vibrant flavors.
- Slice cabbage thinly for tender texture and quicker cooking time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding water if too dry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg