Healthy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Ginger (Print version)

Lean ground beef, crisp cabbage, fresh ginger, and a light savory sauce make a fast Chinese-inspired skillet dinner.

# Ingredients:

For the sauce

01 - 3 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium beef broth or water
03 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
04 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
05 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the stir fry

07 - 1 tablespoon avocado oil or neutral cooking oil
08 - 1 lb (450 g) 90% lean ground beef
09 - 4 scallions, whites sliced and greens reserved for garnish
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
12 - 6 cups (420 g) thinly sliced green cabbage
13 - 1 medium carrot, grated or cut into thin matchsticks
14 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional
16 - Salt, only if needed

# Instructions:

01 - Whisk tamari, broth, rice vinegar, cornstarch, chili flakes, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Set it near the stove.
02 - Slice the cabbage thinly and separate any thick pieces. Grate the carrot, mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and separate the scallion whites from the greens.
03 - Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and scallion whites, then cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles, until mostly browned.
04 - Stir in the garlic and ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant, so the aromatics do not burn.
05 - Add the cabbage and carrot. Toss often for 3-4 minutes until the cabbage is crisp-tender and glossy.
06 - Pour in the sauce and stir for 1-2 minutes until it lightly thickens and coats everything. Turn off the heat, stir in sesame oil, and taste for salt.
07 - Top with scallion greens and sesame seeds if using. Serve hot over rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served hot while the cabbage is still crisp-tender.
02 - Use a wide pan so the cabbage stir-fries instead of steaming.
03 - Cook ground beef to 160°F for food safety.

Back