If you’re craving something quick, comforting, and packed with savory goodness, the Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is the answer to your dinner dilemma! This dish takes humble ingredients and transforms them into a seriously flavorful weeknight hero, with tender ground beef mingling with crunchy cabbage and a gloriously glossy, umami-rich sauce. It whips up in about 25 minutes but doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture—plus, it’s incredibly easy to riff on or customize with your favorite add-ins. Whether you’re new to stir fries or just love a fuss-free classic, the Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is sure to become an instant family favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish is how each simple ingredient serves a big purpose—every element brings its own special something, letting the Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry absolutely shine. Here’s what you’ll need and how every ingredient makes a difference:
- Ground Beef: The hearty, protein-packed base that soaks up all the amazing sauce flavors.
- Vegetable Oil: Ensures everything cooks evenly and imparts a little richness while keeping the stir fry light.
- Green Cabbage (thinly sliced): Adds crisp, sweet crunch and bulks up the dish without weighing it down.
- Garlic (minced): For that classic, aromatic bite that perfumes the whole kitchen.
- Fresh Ginger (grated): Infuses the dish with subtle warmth and fresh, zesty notes.
- Green Onions (sliced): A pop of color and mild onion flavor—don’t skip these as both a topping and flavor booster.
- Soy Sauce: The salty, savory backbone that ties everything together.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds luscious depth and slight sweetness, creating the signature stir fry sauce.
- Hoisin Sauce: Brings a unique sweet-savory complexity that gives the sauce its crave-worthy character.
- Sesame Oil: A drizzle at the end supplies toasty aroma and rich, nutty flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Brightens and balances the dish with gentle acidity.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who like a gentle hint of heat in every bite.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to taste—always adjust as needed for perfect flavor.
- Cooked White Rice: Fluffy, neutral rice becomes the perfect bed for your flavorful stir fry.
How to Make Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating your vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, crumble in the ground beef and let it cook—resist the urge to fuss with it too much so it develops a little color. Break it apart with a spatula as it browns and be sure to drain off any excess fat after 5 to 7 minutes. This step sets up the deep, meaty flavor base that makes the Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry so satisfying.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the green onions to your skillet. Stir-fry everything together for about a minute, just until your kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of ginger and garlic. This short sizzle releases all those essential oils and infuses your beef with that signature stir fry zing.
Step 3: Stir Fry the Cabbage
Tumble in your beautifully sliced green cabbage, tossing to combine. Let the cabbage fry for 4 to 5 minutes; you want it just barely wilted so it keeps a crisp, snappy bite. This is where the dish picks up its brightness and that satisfying tender-crunch texture.
Step 4: Make it Saucy
Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and (if you want a bit of heat) red pepper flakes. Stir it all together so the beef and cabbage glisten in a perfect, sticky-sweet, deeply savory sauce. Let everything cook together for another 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed—everyone’s preference is a little different.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Take the skillet off the heat, then scatter over the remaining green onion slices. Serve the beefy, glossy mixture on a steaming bed of freshly cooked white rice for the most satisfying Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry experience. Dig in while it’s piping hot and enjoy every bite!
How to Serve Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sliced green onions is a must for fresh color and a delicate oniony bite, but you can also add toasted sesame seeds or a pinch of extra red pepper flakes for subtle crunch and visual flair. If you like a touch of citrus, a quick grate of lime zest also wakes up the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This stir fry pairs perfectly with hot steamed jasmine rice, but for a complete meal, toss together a crunchy cucumber salad, or bring out frozen spring rolls as a fuss-free starter. For extra veggies, steamed broccoli or sautéed snap peas round everything out without overpowering the stars of the dish.
Creative Ways to Present
You can tuck the Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry into lettuce wraps for a fun hands-on dinner, or spoon it over cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb twist. If you want something even more filling, try rolling leftovers into a burrito with rice and extra veggies for an East-meets-West fusion lunch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftovers cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry keeps well for up to 3 days, and the flavors often meld even more overnight, making for excellent next-day lunches.
Freezing
You can definitely freeze batches of this stir fry. Spoon cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags—just leave a little room for expansion. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently in a skillet or wok over medium heat, adding a splash of water if things look dry. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave will do—just cover loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring between each round so it heats evenly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a lighter or slightly different flavor. Just keep an eye on cooking times, as some meats cook a bit faster or need less fat drained off.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It’s easy to make gluten-free—just use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and double-check your hoisin and oyster sauces for gluten content. Serve over your favorite gluten-free rice or cauliflower rice for a safe and satisfying meal.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Yes! Shredded carrots, thinly sliced bell peppers, or mushrooms are fantastic additions. Just toss them in when you add the cabbage to ensure they cook through while still staying crisp-tender.
Will it work with purple cabbage?
It will! Purple cabbage adds a beautiful pop of color and works just as well for crunch and flavor. The overall taste of your Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry will be only subtly different—give it a try for a visual twist.
What’s the best way to keep cabbage crisp?
The secret is a quick, hot stir fry—don’t overcrowd your pan and don’t overcook. You’re looking for cabbage that’s just becoming tender but still holds plenty of crunch; a large skillet or wok is perfect for this.
Final Thoughts
If you love fuss-free dinners with big payoff, this Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. It’s delicious, full of bold flavor, and endlessly versatile—why not give it a try tonight and make it your own?
Print
Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A quick and flavorful Chinese-inspired stir fry featuring savory ground beef, crunchy cabbage, and a delicious blend of sauces. This easy recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Cook beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add aromatics: Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of the green onions. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes, or until slightly wilted but still crisp.
- Season: Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well and cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Remove from heat, top with green onion slices, and serve over rice.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with turkey, pork, or chicken.
- Add extra vegetables like shredded carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- For a low-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
