Description
This Healthy Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick and nutritious meal that combines lean ground beef with fresh green cabbage and flavorful aromatics. Ready in just 25 minutes, it features a light soy and sesame dressing with a hint of ginger and garlic, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option that is both satisfying and healthy.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 green onions, sliced
Sauces & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the green cabbage, mince the garlic and ginger, and slice the green onions. Having all ingredients ready before cooking will streamline the process and ensure even cooking.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Push the cooked beef to one side of the pan. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the cleared side and stir quickly, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Stir Fry the Cabbage: Add the thinly sliced cabbage to the pan, tossing it together with the beef and aromatics. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cabbage softens but still retains some crunch.
- Season the Stir Fry: Pour in the low sodium soy sauce, add a splash of rice vinegar, and drizzle with sesame oil. Toss everything well to evenly coat the ingredients and blend the flavors.
- Finish with Green Onions and Heat: Mix in the sliced green onions and, if desired, the red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Give the stir fry one final toss, then remove from heat immediately to serve.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium content lower and maintain a healthy profile.
- For extra crunch, do not overcook the cabbage; it should remain slightly crisp.
- To make this dish spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili slices.
- Serve this stir fry with steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
- Lean ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
