🥢✨ Healthy Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry
Light, savory, and packed with wholesome veggies, this Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is the perfect quick and healthy weeknight dinner. It’s budget-friendly, high-protein, low-carb, and made in just one skillet. The tender cabbage soaks up all the flavors, the carrots add natural sweetness, and the lean ground beef brings satisfying heartiness to every bite.
This is the kind of meal that feels comforting but still keeps things light—ideal for meal prepping, busy days, or anyone craving takeout flavors without the heavy ingredients.
⭐ Ingredients
Stir Fry Base
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1 lb lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
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1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
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1 medium carrot, julienned
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1 small onion, thinly sliced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
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1 tbsp olive oil (or sesame oil for stronger flavor)
Sauce
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3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
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1 tbsp rice vinegar
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1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional for sweetness)
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1–2 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for heat)
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1 tsp sesame oil
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1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)
Garnishes (Optional but Recommended)
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Sliced green onions
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Sesame seeds
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Red pepper flakes
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Drizzle of extra soy sauce
⭐ Directions (7 Steps)
1️⃣ Prepare the Veggies
Slice cabbage nice and thin, julienne the carrot, and slice the onion. This helps them cook quickly and evenly—classic stir-fry style.
2️⃣ Sauté the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
3️⃣ Add Aromatics
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant—this creates the base of the savory, takeout-style flavor.
4️⃣ Toss in the Veggies
Add the sliced cabbage, carrot, and onion. Continue cooking 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently until the cabbage softens but still has a little crunch.
5️⃣ Make the Sauce
Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin (optional), sesame oil, sriracha (if using), and the cornstarch slurry. Pour it over the beef and veggies.
6️⃣ Stir Fry Until Glossy
Let everything cook together for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the cabbage and beef beautifully.
7️⃣ Garnish & Serve
Top with green onions, sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Serve hot!