Quick, Healthy, and Delicious – All in One Skillet

If your weeknights feel rushed but you still want a flavorful homemade meal, this Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is the answer. It’s savory, comforting, and packed with vibrant textures from the crisp cabbage and tender ground beef. Best of all? It’s ready in just 20 minutes and tastes like your favorite takeout, without the wait or the mystery ingredients.

This dish hits the sweet spot between simplicity and flavor a beautiful balance of nutritious veggies, bold seasonings, and easy Chinese cooking techniques that bring everything together in one skillet.

Serving Versatility

You can serve this stir fry in so many delicious ways:

• Spooned over steamed rice or jasmine rice.
• Tossed with lo mein or rice noodles.
• Wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
• Served alongside dumplings or spring rolls for a complete Asian cooking experience.

🥢 Full Recipe: Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (lean)
• 1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but delicious)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil (for stir-frying)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions:

1. Prep the ingredients: Slice the cabbage thinly, chop the onions, mince garlic and ginger. This makes cooking a breeze.
2. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil, then ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add aromatics: Stir in garlic, ginger, and onions. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Toss in cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until slightly wilted but still crisp.
5. Season everything: Pour in soy sauce, hoisin, and oyster sauce. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything to combine and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Garnish and serve: Top with chopped green onions and serve hot!

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes

🔥 Cook Time: 10 minutes

⏳ Total Time: 20 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 4

🔢 Calories: Approx. 310 per serving

Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir‑Fry

A quick, one‑pan Chinese‑inspired stir‑fry combining savory ground beef, crisp cabbage, garlic, ginger, and optional shiitake mushrooms, finished with a glossy umami sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes and perfect over rice or cauliflower rice.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese‑inspired

Servings 6 servings

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• Wok or Large Skillet
• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 12 oz green cabbage thinly sliced (~4 cups)
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 inch ginger grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce or hoisin for vegetarian
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil to finish
• 1 tbsp neutral oil e.g. avocado or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 4 oz shiitake mushrooms sliced (optional)
• green onions sliced, for garnish
• sesame seeds optional garnish
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

 

• Prep: mince garlic & ginger, slice cabbage, mushrooms, green onions, and mix sauce.
• Heat neutral oil in wok/skillet over medium‑high; add ground beef and brown, breaking it up (~5 min).
• Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of green onions; stir‑fry 30 sec until fragrant.
• Stir in cabbage (and mushrooms, if using); cook until tender‑crisp, 3–5 min.
• Pour in sauce (soy, oyster, vinegar, cumin, red pepper flakes), toss to coat; cook 1–2 min.
• Drizzle sesame oil, toss again, remove from heat.
• Garnish with green onion tops and sesame seeds, serve over rice or cauliflower rice.

Notes

This versatile stir‑fry is low‑carb and gluten‑free. Swap proteins or veggies as desired. Store in fridge up to 4 days or freeze portions. Reheat in skillet with splash of broth for best texture.

Keyword Cabbage, Gluten‑Free, Ground Beef, Low‑Carb, Stir‑Fry

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Quick preparation: 20 minutes from start to finish.
• ✅ Budget-friendly ingredients: Uses ground beef and simple pantry staples.
• ✅ Big flavor profile: Bold Chinese-style seasoning without complicated steps.
• ✅ Nutritious: Packed with fresh cabbage and protein.
• ✅ Customizable: Add carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, or swap for ground turkey.

A Quick Note on Chinese Stir-Fry Cooking

This recipe is inspired by classic cabbage stir fry dishes often found in Chinese cooking recipes. The beauty of stir-frying lies in its speed a hot pan, quick movements, and bold flavors make it ideal for busy home cooks. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring authentic Asian cooking into your kitchen with minimal effort.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some fun and flexible ways to serve this dish:

• 🌾 Over fluffy jasmine or basmati rice
• 🍜 Mixed into cooked lo mein or ramen noodles
• 🥬 In lettuce cups for a light and crunchy bite
• 🥢 Paired with egg rolls, steamed dumplings, or miso soup

Pro Tips for Success

• Use a large wok or skillet so the cabbage sears, not steams.
• Don’t overcook the cabbage you want it tender with a bit of crunch.
• Slice everything thinly and evenly for quick, even cooking.
• Add sauce at the end to avoid burning and to coat everything evenly.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce.
Freezer: You can freeze for up to 2 months, though cabbage texture may soften.

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Ready to Stir-Fry?

You don’t need a ton of time, ingredients, or skill to make something truly satisfying. This Chinese Ground Beef & Cabbage stir fry proves that fast can still mean flavorful. Whip it up this week and enjoy a hearty, healthy dinner that comes together with ease.

✨ Have you tried a cabbage stir fry before? Let us know your favorite add-ins in the comments!