Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (90/10 or 85/15 lean)
1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4–5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 medium head green cabbage, roughly chopped or shredded
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari (low-sodium if preferred)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup (optional)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
2–3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prep all ingredients: dice onion, mince garlic, grate ginger, chop cabbage.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef. Break apart and cook until browned, 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Push beef to one side. Add onion to empty side; cook until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Combine beef with aromatics. Add cabbage; toss to mix.
5. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar (if using). Pour over beef and cabbage. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
6. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender.
7. Remove from heat. Adjust seasonings to taste. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Fresh garlic and ginger are essential for best flavor. Drain excess fat after browning beef to prevent greasiness. Chop cabbage into uniform pieces for even cooking. For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in before covering. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for 2-3 months. Reheat on stovetop with a splash of water for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired, American
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using tamari), Low-Carb option
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
