Name: Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 4 cups green cabbage, sliced; 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced (or any preferred mushrooms); 4 green onions, chopped (plus additional for garnish); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 inch ginger, minced; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional); 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking); Salt and pepper to taste; Cooked rice

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a quick, flavor-packed dinner that brings together the heartiness of beef, the crunch of fresh veggies, and the bold, savory notes of Asian cuisine, you’re about to fall in love with this Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry. This dish is pure comfort in a bowl: juicy morsels of beef, tender cabbage, earthy mushrooms, and a lively kick from garlic and ginger, all bathed in a mouthwatering sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family meal or just need a fuss-free recipe to satisfy a takeout craving, this easy stir-fry delivers on taste and convenience in equal measure.

Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe shines because it lets a handful of supermarket staples transform into something truly special. Each ingredient does its part to build a balanced medley of flavors and textures that define an excellent Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry.

Ground beef: The star protein, adding richness and a satisfying bite to every forkful.
Green cabbage, sliced: Gives the stir-fry its signature crisp sweetness and beautiful color.
Mushrooms, sliced: Shiitake bring earthiness, but any variety you love works for extra umami depth.
Green onions, chopped: These add a fresh, oniony lift and a pop of green both cooked in and scattered on top.
Garlic, minced: The aromatic backbone, infusing the oil and beef for unbeatable fragrance.
Ginger, minced: Bright and warming, ginger livens up and balances all the savory flavors.
Soy sauce: The primary source of saltiness and depth in your stir-fry sauce.
Oyster sauce (optional): Adds a glossy, savory-sweet dimension for that extra restaurant-style touch.
Sesame oil: Just a dash gives your stir-fry its nutty, toasty aroma.
Vegetable oil: Keeps everything from sticking and adds a neutral base for sautéing.
Salt and pepper to taste: For final seasoning—taste and adjust as you go.
Cooked rice: The perfect blank canvas to soak up all those stir-fry juices when it hits your plate.

How to Make Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Step 1: Start with Aromatics

Heat your vegetable oil in a roomy skillet or wok over medium high heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the minced garlic and ginger. Allow them to sizzle for about 30 seconds—just long enough to release their incredible fragrance, which sets the stage for the whole dish. Don’t walk away, as garlic can burn quickly; you want a golden aroma, not bitterness.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to the fragrant oil. As it cooks, break it apart with a spatula into small, bite-sized crumbles. Let the meat sear and brown for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is crucial, as browning adds a rich depth of flavor and keeps the beef juicy in every bite of your Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry.

Step 3: Add the Mushrooms

Stir in your sliced mushrooms and continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes. The mushrooms should soften and begin to pick up some color, releasing that signature earthy aroma. If you’re using shiitakes, don’t forget to remove the stems first—they can be quite tough.

Step 4: Wilt the Cabbage

Now, add your sliced cabbage. This might seem like a lot at first, but the leaves wilt down quickly as you stir everything together. Continue to cook for about 5–7 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender yet still has a pleasant crunch. The bright green hue should turn brilliantly vibrant at this point.

Step 5: Season and Finish

Drizzle in the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if you’re using it), and the sesame oil. Stir the mixture thoroughly so every vegetable and bit of beef gets coated in savory-sweet sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. As a final flourish, remove from the heat and mix in the chopped green onions—their freshness brings everything together and signals your Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry is ready to shine.

How to Serve Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Garnishes

The right garnishes make your stir-fry look and taste even more inviting. Sprinkle fresh green onions over the top for a burst of color and a bright pop of flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a light scatter of toasted sesame seeds adds extra crunch and a nutty note that complements the sesame oil in the dish.

Side Dishes

Of course, you can’t go wrong serving this stir-fry on a bowl of warm, fluffy cooked rice (jasmine or white rice both work wonderfully). For an even more vibrant meal, add a side of steamed edamame, simple miso soup, or a bright cucumber salad—each one plays off the rich and savory flavors of your Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re cooking for a crowd or simply want to mix things up, try spooning your stir-fry into crisp lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held twist. Or, load up some steamed bao buns with a generous heaping of the beef and vegetables. These playful presentations are perfect for parties or packing a lunch that’s certain to turn heads.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry stores wonderfully, making it ideal for meal prepping or quick next-day lunches. Simply let the dish cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld and become even more savory with time.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze leftovers, portion them into freezer-safe bags or containers, pressing out as much air as possible. The stir-fry will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just keep in mind that the cabbage will soften a bit more upon thawing, but the taste stays spot on.

Reheating

For best results, reheat your stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until it’s steaming hot. Add a splash of water or broth if it appears dry. If you’re short on time, the microwave works too—heat in short increments, stirring in between to make sure everything heats evenly.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely! While ground beef is classic for a Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry, you can swap it for ground pork, chicken, or turkey. Each variation brings a new flavor twist, so feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

As written, the recipe isn’t gluten-free because of the soy sauce and oyster sauce. To make it gluten-free, just substitute coconut aminos or tamari for the soy sauce and choose a gluten-free oyster sauce or omit it entirely.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely! You can toss in bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, or even baby corn. The core of a great Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry is its adaptability, so use whatever veggies your family loves or that you have in the fridge.

What kind of rice works best?

Both jasmine and plain white rice are delicious with this stir-fry. Brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even noodles are excellent alternatives if you’re looking for a grain switch-up or a lower-carb option.

How spicy is this dish?

By default, this is a mild and family-friendly recipe. If you love heat, consider tossing in a sliced chili, adding a dab of chili garlic sauce, or serving with your favorite hot sauce on the side. Make it your own!

Final Thoughts

This Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep on repeat—warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, it’s so easy to pull together on even the busiest nights. Give it a try, play around with your favorite add-ins, and share it with someone you love. There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked stir-fry to bring big smiles to the table!

Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 19 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: None

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Description

A quick and flavorful Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry recipe that is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Instructions

Heat vegetable oil: In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add garlic and ginger: Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook ground beef: Break it apart and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
Include mushrooms: Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
Stir in cabbage: Cook until wilted, about 5-7 minutes.
Add sauces: Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Finish and serve: Remove from heat, mix in green onions, and serve over cooked rice. Garnish with extra green onions.

Notes

You can customize this stir-fry with your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stir-Frying
Cuisine: Chinese