Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
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Beef and cabbage stir fry is a quick and tasty meal you can whip up in just 30 minutes. This budget-friendly dish combines lean ground beef, shredded cabbage, and carrots in a flavorful sauce for a satisfying dinner. The recipe serves 4 and is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something fast and filling.

You’ll love how easy this stir fry is to make. The sauce mixes up in seconds with soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, and brown sugar. Then you just need to shred some veggies, brown the beef, and toss it all together in a skillet. Top it with sesame seeds and extra sriracha for a meal that’s both nutritious and delicious.

Exact Ingredients List
This beef and cabbage stir fry recipe uses simple ingredients you can easily find. The dish is split into three main parts: the sauce, the stir fry itself, and optional garnishes.
Stir Fry Sauce
For the sauce, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
Mix these items in a small bowl. The soy sauce adds saltiness, while the sesame oil gives a nutty flavor. Sriracha adds heat, and brown sugar balances it with sweetness. You can adjust the amounts to suit your taste.
Stir Fry
The main stir fry needs:
- 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded (4-6 cups)
- 2 carrots, grated (1 cup)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 tablespoon neutral cooking oil
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Start by prepping your veggies. Shred the cabbage, grate the carrots, and slice the green onions. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. These steps make the cooking process smoother.
Garnishes (Optional)
To add extra flavor and crunch, you can use:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of your stir fry for a nutty crunch. If you like it spicy, add an extra drizzle of sriracha. These garnishes are optional but can really boost the taste and look of your dish.

Instructions

Mix the stir fry sauce first. In a small bowl, blend soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, and brown sugar. Set it aside.

Get your veggies ready. Shred half a cabbage, grate two carrots, and slice three green onions. Mince two garlic cloves and grate some fresh ginger.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, ground beef, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook the beef until it’s brown, about 5 minutes.

Toss in the cabbage and carrots. Keep stirring and cooking until the cabbage wilts a bit. Pour in the sauce you made earlier and add the green onions.

To finish, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top. If you like it spicy, add a bit more sriracha. Your beef and cabbage stir fry is ready to serve!


Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations
You can easily swap out ingredients in this beef and cabbage stir fry to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Try ground pork or turkey instead of beef for a different flavor.
For a veggie version, use crumbled tofu or tempeh. Red cabbage works great in place of green for a pop of color. No carrots? Toss in some bell peppers or snap peas.
If you don’t have sriracha, try other hot sauces like chili garlic sauce or sambal oelek. Swap the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup if you prefer.
To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For extra crunch, add some chopped peanuts or cashews on top.
Want more veggies? Toss in some mushrooms, broccoli, or bean sprouts. You can also serve it over rice or noodles to make it more filling.
Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha to suit your taste buds. The recipe is super flexible, so have fun trying different combos!
Tips, Tricks & Storing
To make this stir fry even faster, prep your veggies ahead of time. Cut the cabbage and carrots the night before and store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
For extra flavor, try marinating the beef in the stir fry sauce for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This will make the meat more tender and tasty.
Don’t overcook the cabbage! It’s best when it still has a bit of crunch. Cook it just until it starts to wilt for the best texture.
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove.
To make this dish spicier, add more sriracha or some red pepper flakes. For a milder version, cut back on the sriracha or skip it entirely.
Try swapping ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. You can also use thinly sliced beef instead of ground meat.
Serve your stir fry over rice or noodles to make it a heartier meal. Brown rice or soba noodles work great and add extra nutrients.