Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry: Easy, Savory One-Pan Dinner
This Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry is a quick, budget-friendly dinner made with tender cabbage, browned ground beef, garlic, ginger, and a savory sauce that comes together in one skillet.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights because the ingredients are simple, the cleanup is easy, and the whole meal can be ready in about 30 minutes. Serve it as-is for a lighter dinner, or spoon it over rice or noodles for something more filling.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry
- Fast weeknight dinner
- One-pan recipe
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- High in protein
- Easy to customize
- Great for meal prep
- Works with rice or noodles
- Family-friendly
- Uses simple pantry staples
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, if needed
- 1 small green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons water
Optional Garnishes
- Sesame seeds
- Extra green onions
- Chili crisp
- Sriracha
- Fresh cilantro
Best Ground Beef to Use
For this recipe, 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef works especially well.
85/15 Ground Beef
A little richer and more flavorful.
90/10 Ground Beef
Leaner and produces less grease.
If using a fattier blend, simply drain excess grease after browning.
Ground beef should be cooked to 160°F (71°C).
Best Cabbage for Stir-Fry
Green cabbage is the easiest choice.
It’s:
- Affordable
- Easy to find
- Slightly sweet
- Great at holding texture
You can also use Napa cabbage for a softer, more delicate stir-fry.
Green Cabbage vs. Napa Cabbage
| Cabbage | Texture | Flavor | Best For |
| Green cabbage | Crisp and sturdy | Mild | Classic stir-fry |
| Napa cabbage | Softer | Slightly sweeter | Quick cooking |
| Savoy cabbage | Tender | Mild | Lighter stir-fry |
For a hearty ground beef skillet, green cabbage is a great all-purpose option.
How to Make Ground Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Brown sugar or honey
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Water
Set aside.
Step 2: Slice the Cabbage
Remove the tough outer leaves.
Cut the cabbage in half.
Remove the core.
Thinly slice the cabbage into bite-size strips.
Try to keep the pieces relatively even so they cook at the same speed.
Step 3: Heat the Skillet
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add a small amount of oil if your beef is very lean.
Step 4: Brown the Ground Beef
Add the ground beef.
Break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon or meat chopper.
Cook until browned and fully cooked.
Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C).
Step 5: Drain Excess Grease
If the skillet contains a lot of fat, carefully drain most of it.
Leave a small amount behind for flavor.
Step 6: Add the Onion
Add the sliced onion.
Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, until it begins to soften.
Step 7: Add Garlic and Ginger
Add:
- Garlic
- Ginger
Cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
You want them fragrant, not burned.
Step 8: Add the Cabbage
Add the cabbage to the skillet.
It may look like a lot at first.
Don’t worry.
Cabbage shrinks significantly as it cooks.
Step 9: Stir-Fry
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently.
For more crunch, cook less.
For softer cabbage, cook a little longer.
Step 10: Add the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and cabbage.
Toss well.
Cook for another 2–3 minutes, until everything is evenly coated.
Step 11: Taste and Adjust
Taste before adding extra salt.
Soy sauce and oyster sauce already contain sodium.
Adjust with:
- Soy sauce
- Black pepper
- Rice vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
Step 12: Finish
Stir in sliced green onions.
Remove from heat.
Drizzle with a tiny amount of additional sesame oil if desired.
Step 13: Serve
Serve hot.
Top with:
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Chili crisp
Enjoy on its own or serve over steamed rice.