Chinese Beef Cabbage Stir Fry (Printer-Friendly Version)
Ground beef, cabbage, and carrots tossed in savory sauce for a healthy, quick stir fry bursting with flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
02 -
1 small green cabbage, core removed, thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
03 -
2 medium carrots, julienned (about 1 cup)
04 -
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
05 -
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Sauce & Aromatics
06 -
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
07 -
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 -
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 -
2 tablespoons water
10 -
1 tablespoon cornstarch
11 -
2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
→ Optional Enhancements
12 -
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for richer umami flavor)
13 -
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Slice the green cabbage into thin strips and julienne the carrots. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Thinly slice green onions for garnish.
02 -
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and optional oyster sauce. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a smooth slurry.
03 -
Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef and break apart with a spatula, browning for 2-3 minutes undisturbed, then continue cooking and stirring until fully browned, about 6 minutes total. Drain excess fat.
04 -
Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the beef. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the aromatics.
05 -
Add sliced cabbage and julienned carrots to the skillet. Toss everything together and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are bright and tender-crisp.
06 -
Pour the soy sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables, stirring well to combine. Add the cornstarch slurry and continue to stir for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the stir fry evenly.
07 -
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding red pepper flakes or extra soy sauce as desired. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve hot, alone or over steamed rice.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Use freshly grated ginger and minced garlic for optimal flavor. Do not overcook cabbage to preserve its crunchy texture.
02 -
This stir fry is ideal for meal prep and reheats well for weekday meals.