Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry (Printable version)

A hearty Asian-inspired stir fry with tender beef, crisp cabbage, and savory seasonings ready in 30 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small head green cabbage (about 1½ lbs), thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or grated
04 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
07 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Sauces & Seasonings

08 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
09 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, omit for gluten-free)
10 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
11 - 1 tsp chili garlic sauce or Sriracha (optional)
12 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp sugar or honey (optional)

→ Oils

14 - 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or vegetable oil)

# Directions:

01 - Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger. Stir fry for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
04 - Add the cabbage and carrot. Stir fry for 4–5 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, black pepper, and sugar or honey until well combined.
06 - Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables. Toss well to coat everything evenly. Stir fry for another 1–2 minutes until heated through.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then remove from heat. Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The combination of tender beef and crisp cabbage creates such satisfying textures
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it took much longer
02 -
  • Draining excess fat from the beef prevents the final dish from feeling greasy
  • Don't overcrowd your pan or the vegetables will steam instead of stir fry
  • The cabbage should still have a slight crunch when you add the sauce
03 -
  • Toast your sesame oil in a separate pan for 30 seconds before adding to the sauce for deeper flavor
  • Freeze your beef for 20 minutes before cooking to make it easier to break into small crumbles

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