Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry is quick to prepare and full of bold, savory flavors. The ground beef adds richness, while the cabbage provides a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the savory stir fry sauce. The ginger and garlic infuse the dish with a fragrant aroma, and the optional red pepper flakes give it a bit of heat. It’s a healthy, well-rounded meal that can be made in one skillet or wok, making cleanup easy and allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen. Plus, it’s customizable, so feel free to swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option)
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thinly
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or napa cabbage)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but adds great flavor)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for flavor and depth)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the acidity)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish (Optional):
- Green onions, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for added texture)
Directions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic and ginger are fragrant.
- Add the cabbage: Stir in the shredded cabbage and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it starts to soften but still retains some crunch. Stir occasionally to ensure the cabbage cooks evenly.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Combine and cook: Pour the sauce over the beef and cabbage mixture. Stir everything together, making sure the sauce coats the beef and vegetables evenly. Let the stir fry cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the stir fry and adjust the seasoning, adding more soy sauce or a pinch of salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the stir fry hot, garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
Storage/Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. The cabbage may soften further upon reheating, but the dish will still be delicious.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken is a great alternative for a lighter version of this dish. Both options will work well with the stir fry sauce and cabbage.
2. Can I add other vegetables to this stir fry?
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the stir fry. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time based on the vegetables you choose.
3. Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
Yes! Simply use tamari instead of soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free. Additionally, check the oyster sauce for gluten if you’re using it, or you can omit it if needed.
4. How can I make this stir fry spicier?
To make the stir fry spicier, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or add some sliced fresh chilies or chili paste to the sauce for extra heat.
5. Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best when fresh, but you can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat before serving.
6. Can I make this dish in a wok?
Yes, a wok works wonderfully for this recipe! The high sides and ability to cook at high heat make it ideal for stir frying.
7. Can I use a different type of vinegar?
You can use any vinegar in place of rice vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, but the flavor will be slightly different. Rice vinegar gives the dish a mild, slightly sweet acidity.
8. How do I make the cabbage less crunchy?
If you prefer your cabbage to be softer, simply cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches the desired texture. Just be careful not to overcook it!
9. Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the stir fry. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove before serving.
Conclusion
Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. With savory beef, crisp cabbage, and a delicious stir fry sauce, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Customize it with your favorite vegetables or adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. It’s a family-friendly, one-pan meal that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation!
Delicious Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry – A Quick and Flavorful Dinner
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner that combines savory ground beef, crisp cabbage, and a flavorful stir fry sauce, all in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option)
1 medium yellow onion, sliced thinly
2 cups shredded cabbage (green or napa cabbage)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but adds great flavor)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil (for flavor and depth)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the acidity)
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic and ginger are fragrant.
- Add the cabbage: Stir in the shredded cabbage and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it starts to soften but still retains some crunch. Stir occasionally to ensure the cabbage cooks evenly.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Combine and cook: Pour the sauce over the beef and cabbage mixture. Stir everything together, making sure the sauce coats the beef and vegetables evenly. Let the stir fry cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the stir fry and adjust the seasoning, adding more soy sauce or a pinch of salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the stir fry hot, garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Ground turkey or chicken is a great alternative for a lighter version of this dish.
You can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the stir fry. Just adjust the cooking time based on the vegetables used.
For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and check the oyster sauce for gluten or omit it.
To make the stir fry spicier, increase the red pepper flakes or add fresh chilies or chili paste to the sauce.
This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Ground pork can be used instead of beef for a slightly richer flavor.
A wok works wonderfully for this recipe, but a large skillet works too.
You can substitute rice vinegar with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a different flavor.
For softer cabbage, cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired texture.
This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
