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Chinese ground beef stir-fry with cabbage in a colorful dish

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

A fast and flavorful stir-fry featuring lean ground beef and crisp-tender cabbage, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) Lean beef cooks faster and produces less grease.
  • 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced About half a medium head.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Or 1–2 tsp jarred minced garlic in a pinch.
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated Or 1/4–1/2 tsp ground ginger if necessary.
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce Substitute tamari for gluten-free.
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil Neutral oil like canola or sunflower; use peanut oil for nuttier flavor.
  • 3 green onions, chopped Reserve some whites and greens separately if desired.
  • 1 tsp sesame oil Added off the heat for aroma.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the cabbage into thin strips. Chop the green onions and separate whites from greens if desired.
Cooking
  1. Warm 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, and cook for 5–7 minutes until no pink remains and the edges are browned.
  3. Drain excess fat into a heatproof container and wipe the skillet if there's a lot of grease.
  4. Push the beef to one side, add the garlic and ginger to the empty space, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add the sliced cabbage and toss to combine. Stir for 3–4 minutes until the cabbage softens and becomes slightly wilted but retains some crunch.
  6. Pour in the soy sauce and stir thoroughly, cooking for another 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
  7. Remove from heat, drizzle sesame oil over the top, and sprinkle with chopped green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

For lower sodium, use 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp water with a splash of rice vinegar. For a vegetarian version, substitute crumbled firm tofu or tempeh for the beef.