Chinese Beef Cabbage Stir Fry (Printer-Friendly)
Ground beef, cabbage, and carrots in savory sauce. Easy, quick, and packed with flavor for weeknight dinners.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Main Components
01 -
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
02 -
6 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced (about half a medium head)
03 -
1 medium carrot, julienned (about 1/2 cup)
04 -
3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
05 -
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 -
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
07 -
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 -
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 -
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
10 -
1 tablespoon cornstarch
11 -
1 tablespoon water (for slurry)
12 -
2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 -
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ For Serving (Optional)
14 -
2 cups cooked jasmine rice or brown rice
15 -
Butter lettuce leaves (for lettuce wraps as a variation)
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Slice green cabbage into thin strips, julienne the carrot, mince the garlic, and grate the fresh ginger. Thinly slice green onions for garnish.
02 -
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and oyster sauce if using. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a 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. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes for browning, then stir and continue cooking until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 -
Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the browned beef. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring aromatics do not burn.
05 -
Incorporate sliced cabbage and julienned carrots into the skillet. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, tossing frequently until vegetables begin to soften but retain crispness.
06 -
Pour the pre-mixed sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring to combine. Add the cornstarch slurry while stirring. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat all ingredients.
07 -
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding crushed red pepper flakes for heat or additional soy sauce as needed. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately over rice or in lettuce wraps as desired.
# Additional Suggestions:
01 -
For optimal texture, avoid overcrowding the skillet to maintain browning, and keep cooking time for cabbage brief to ensure a crisp bite.
02 -
This dish stores well in airtight containers in the refrigerator up to four days, making it suitable for meal prep.