Description
Savory and wholesome, this Healthy Chinese Ground Beef Cabbage Recipe makes a quick, satisfying dinner packed with fresh flavors and nutritious goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Components
- 450 g lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sauces and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Thickener
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
To Serve
- Cooked jasmine rice or brown rice
Instructions
- Preheat the Skillet: Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the sesame oil. Allow the oil to warm up and shimmer for flavor infusion.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the hot oil. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks, stirring occasionally, until the beef is well browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed for a lighter dish.
- Add Aromatics: Incorporate the minced garlic and grated ginger to the beef. Stir constantly and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Add the thinly sliced cabbage and julienned carrot to the skillet. Stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cabbage is slightly tender but still has a bit of crunch for texture.
- Add Sauces: Stir in the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and oyster sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution and to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) while stirring continuously. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef and vegetables.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the mixture and season with crushed red pepper flakes for additional heat, if desired. Adjust salt or sauces as needed to your taste preference.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the sliced green onions over the top as a fresh garnish.
- Serve: Serve the stir-fry immediately, either on its own or spooned over steamed jasmine or brown rice for a more filling meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken in place of beef.
- This dish is highly adaptable—add bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
- Gluten-free soy sauce or tamari can be used to accommodate dietary needs.
- The recipe comes together quickly, so prep all ingredients in advance before starting to cook.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (excluding rice)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg