Healthy Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
A flavorful and healthy Chinese-inspired ground beef and cabbage stir-fry that’s quick to prepare and packed with nutritious vegetables and savory sauces. This dish combines lean ground beef with crisp cabbage, carrot, and aromatic garlic and ginger, making it a perfect weeknight meal that’s both satisfying and wholesome.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 450g (1 lb) lean ground beef
- 1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 small onion, finely sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Sauces and Oils
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil for cooking
Seasonings and Garnishes
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the protein and vegetables.
- Cook the ground beef: Add 450g (1 lb) of lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the dish lean.
- Add garlic and ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and fresh ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Add vegetables: Toss in the finely sliced onion and julienned carrot. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Cook the cabbage: Add the thinly sliced green cabbage, continuing to stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until the cabbage is wilted but still retains a slight crispness.
- Mix in sauces and seasoning: Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir thoroughly to coat the ground beef and vegetables evenly with the savory sauce.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the stir-fry and season with salt, pepper, or the optional crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the dish before serving to add color and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content for a healthier version.
- For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- You can add crushed red pepper flakes to add a spicy kick if desired.
- Serve this dish on its own or with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Chinese ground beef stir fry, cabbage stir fry, healthy Chinese recipes, quick stir fry, low fat dinner, easy weeknight dinner
