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An extreme close-up of a serving of healthy ground beef stir fry with cabbage in a white bowl, showing the texture of the meat and vegetables.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick & Easy Recipe)

This quick and easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is the perfect one-pan weeknight dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a flavorful, healthy, and budget-friendly meal the whole family will love. A go-to low-carb and keto-friendly recipe.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef 85/15 or 90/10 lean
  • 1/2 medium head of cabbage thinly sliced or shredded
  • 1/2 yellow onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp brown sugar or honey, optional for keto
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 green onions sliced, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Wok
  • 1 Small Bowl

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Add the shredded cabbage to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the cabbage wilts to your liking.
  5. Re-whisk the sauce and pour it over the beef and cabbage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keto/Low-Carb Tip: Omit the brown sugar in the sauce for a delicious keto-friendly meal.
Variations: Add 1 tsp of sriracha for a spicy kick, or toss in shredded carrots and sliced bell peppers with the cabbage for extra veggies.