Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry – Hearty & Quick Winter Meal
A fast and comforting stir-fry made with ground beef, green cabbage, garlic, and soy sauce. This Cantonese-inspired winter meal is perfect for family dinners and quick weeknight cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 medium green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs), thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Stir Fry Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Thinly slice the cabbage, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:Add another tbsp oil to the pan if needed. Sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the Cabbage:Add sliced cabbage to the skillet and stir-fry for 5–7 minutes until tender-crisp. Cook longer if you prefer a softer texture.
- Combine & Finish:Return the beef to the pan. Pour in the sauce and stir everything together. Cook for 2–3 minutes so the flavors combine and coat all the ingredients.
- Serve:Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or on its own.
Notes
- Use napa cabbage or savoy cabbage for a different texture.
- Add vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for more variety.
- Make it low-carb by serving over cauliflower rice.
- For vegetarian, use crumbled tofu or plant-based ground.