This quick ground beef and cabbage stir fry is savory, slightly sweet, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights. It’s budget-friendly, healthy, and comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes.
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings
4–6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small head cabbage, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced into thin strips
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat
Instructions
1. Cook the Beef
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Drain excess grease if needed.
2. Add Aromatics
Stir in:
- garlic
- ginger
Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Cook the Vegetables
Add:
- chopped cabbage
- carrots
Stir fry for 5–7 minutes until cabbage softens slightly but still has some crunch.
4. Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix:
- soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- sesame oil
- brown sugar
Pour sauce into the skillet and stir well to coat everything evenly.
5. Finish
Cook another 2–3 minutes until glossy and heated through.
Top with green onions before serving.
Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- steamed rice
- noodles
- cauliflower rice
- lettuce wraps
Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
- Add mushrooms or bell peppers
- Make it spicy with chili garlic sauce
- Add scrambled eggs for extra protein
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Reheats beautifully for meal prep
Pro Tip
For extra flavor, let the cabbage char slightly in the pan before stirring too much.