Healthy Speedy Chinese Ground Beef and Cabbage Stirfry

Healthy Ground Beef Stir Fry Quick Easy Chinese Takeout

By SandraAugust 30, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Craving Takeout Tonight?

Fancy a healthy ground beef stir fry but don't want the guilt? Honestly, this is my go-to meal when I'm craving Chinese takeout. You get all the flavour, none of the faff.

Stir Fry Secrets Revealed

This Chinese ground beef stir fry recipe is inspired by the bustling streets of Beijing. It's super easy, ready in under 30 minutes. This recipes makes 4 generous servings.

Why You'll Love This Stir Fry

It's a fantastic way to sneak in extra veggies. This recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and is lower in sodium.

This is the perfect quick weeknight dinner , especially if you're short on time. You know, after a long day at work?

Ready to get started? First, let's talk ingredients. You'll need some lean ground beef , of course. We're also using cabbage, because it is a staple to a ground beef and cabbage stir fry , plus some store cupboard heroes.

Ingredients & Equipment: Your Stir Fry Arsenal

Let's talk ingredients! This healthy ground beef stir fry is seriously simple. You don't need fancy gear or ingredients.

Main Ingredients: Keep it Real

Alright, for this ground beef and cabbage stir fry , you'll need:

Lean Ground Beef: 1 pound (454g) . Go for lean!
Green Cabbage: 1 small head (about 1.5 pounds/680g) . Slice it thin.
Yellow Onion: 1 medium . Thinly sliced, you know the drill.
Garlic Cloves: 3 . Minced. Don’t be shy.
Fresh Ginger: 1 tablespoon . Grated. Fresh ginger is where it's at!
Green Onions: 2 . Chopped for garnish. So fancy!
Sesame Seeds: 1 teaspoon . More garnish.
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: ¼ cup (60ml) . Keep it low sodium !
Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Adds a bit of tang.
Hoisin Sauce: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Sweet and savory heaven!
Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . For that authentic chinese ground beef stir fry taste.
Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon (optional) . For a kick!
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . For cooking the beef.

I swear, the quality of your ground beef makes all the difference. Lean is the name of the game here for a lean ground beef stir fry .

Seasoning Notes: Flavor Bombs

This easy ground beef recipe relies on balance. Soy sauce + rice vinegar + hoisin = flavor explosion. If you don’t have hoisin, try a dash of honey with soy sauce.

Just saying. Red pepper flakes give it a cheeky heat. Don't be afraid to experiment with your spice combinations! This ground beef stir fry with vegetables is very easy to adapt to your own liking.

Equipment Needed: Simple is Best

You only need a few things for this quick weeknight dinner . A large skillet or wok. A cutting board. A knife.

A spatula. Grater for the ginger. If you don’t have a wok, a big frying pan will do. Just make sure it's big enough for all that beef and cabbage skillet .

Really, that's all you need to make this stir fry with ground mince

Stir Fry Like a Pro: Quick and Healthy Ground Beef Stir Fry

Fancy a healthy stir fry recipe that's faster than ordering takeout? Honestly, this healthy ground beef stir fry is a game changer for weeknights.

Forget slaving away for hours! This easy ground beef recipe delivers deliciousness in minutes. You know those days when you're just knackered? This is the answer.

Did you know that stir frying is an ancient Chinese cooking method dating back over 1500 years?

Prep Like a Chef: Mise en Place Magic

First, get everything ready. Slice 1.5 pounds of cabbage thinly. Thinly slice 1 medium yellow onion. Mince 3 garlic cloves and grate 1 tablespoon of ginger. Chop 2 green onions for garnish.
Batch prep is your friend! Do this on Sunday and wala! This is a major time saver!
Watch those knives! Keep your fingers tucked. You don't want any nasty cuts!

Let's Get Stir Frying: step-by-step

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet. Do it on medium high heat.
Add 1 pound lean ground beef . Break it up and cook until browned. It takes about 5- 7 minutes . Remove beef and set aside.
Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until fragrant, about 2- 3 minutes . Your kitchen will smell divine!.
Chuck in the cabbage. Stir fry until softened but still crisp, about 5- 7 minutes .
Return the ground beef. Get that ground beef and cabbage stir fry party started!.
Pour in your sauce. Mix 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon hoisin, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Coat everything well. This is the perfect low sodium stir fry if you watch your salt!
Drizzle with 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
Garnish with green onions and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds. Serve hot this chinese ground beef stir fry

Pro Tips and Tricks

Don't overcook the cabbage! It should still have a bit of a crunch. No one likes mushy cabbage.
Use high heat to keep things moving. Stir fry with ground mince is quick.
make-ahead option: Cook the beef and cabbage skillet base. Store it separately. Mix with the sauce right before serving.
Sometimes, I add a splash of sriracha for extra kick. Honestly, it's amazing.
A common mistake? Overcrowding the pan. Cook in batches if needed.
The ground beef stir fry with vegetables is a super quick weeknight dinner . Enjoy this super easy ground beef recipe! It's a winner, I promise!

**Recipe Notes: Making Your Stir Fry Shine**

Alright, mate! Let's chat about making this healthy ground beef stir fry totally yours. This isn't just a recipe. Think of it as a jumping off point.

Honestly? Sometimes the best cooking is when you just wing it.

Serving Suggestions: Get Your Plating On!

Presentation matters, right? Don't just sling it on a plate. Make it look like you care. Serve your ground beef stir fry with vegetables over fluffy brown rice or quinoa.

Fancy a bit of greenery? Sprinkle with extra green onions and sesame seeds. It looks boujee but it’s dead easy.

I reckon some steamed edamame on the side would be cracking. A light cucumber salad? That's posh, innit?

Storage Tips: Keep It Fresh, Bruv!

Got leftovers? No worries! This beef and cabbage skillet wonder keeps well. Pop it in the fridge in an airtight container within two hours of cooking.

It’ll be good for about 3-4 days . For longer storage, freezing is your friend. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer bags.

It'll last for 2-3 months . Reheating? Microwave, skillet, you choose. Job’s a good'un!

Variations: Get Creative with Your Healthy Stir Fry Recipe !

Fancy a change? Ditch the beef for crumbled tofu or tempeh for a veggie option. For a spicy kick? Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha.

Oh my gosh! Bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli would be banging in this too. Tamari makes it gluten-free. Need a rice vinegar substitute? White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can do in a pinch.

This chinese ground beef stir fry is well versatile.

Nutrition Basics: Feel Good Food

This lean ground beef stir fry is packed with protein and veggies. It's relatively low in carbs. One serving of this easy ground beef recipe has roughly 320 calories, 26g of protein, and 4g of fiber.

Using low sodium stir fry ingredients keeps the sodium in check. The cabbage is full of vitamins too. It’s a pretty good way to get your greens in, you know? One study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" even suggests that cruciferous vegetables like cabbage may help reduce inflammation.

Boom!

So there you have it. A quick weeknight dinner that's actually good for you. Don't be afraid to experiment with this ground beef and cabbage stir fry .

Get in the kitchen and have a laugh! You might just surprise yourself with how tasty this stir fry with ground mince is.

Go on, give it a go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this healthy ground beef stir fry recipe actually good for you? I'm trying to be a bit more "Nigella" and less "takeaway"!

Absolutely! This recipe uses lean ground beef, which is a great source of protein, and plenty of cabbage, which is packed with vitamins and fiber. We also use a low-sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium levels in check.

Plus, you control the ingredients, so you know exactly what's going into your meal unlike that Friday night Chinese!

Can I use something other than ground beef in this healthy ground beef stir fry? I'm not really feeling beef.

Definitely! Ground turkey or chicken works really well as a substitute for ground beef. For a vegetarian option, try using crumbled tofu or tempeh just make sure to press them well to remove excess moisture before stir frying.

It gives the dish a whole new vibe think "vegetarian chic" rather than "meat and potatoes!"

How long does leftover healthy ground beef stir fry last in the fridge, and what's the best way to reheat it?

Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. To reheat, you can microwave it (though the cabbage might get a bit softer), or for best results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking.

A little bit of extra sesame oil during reheating can revive the flavours nicely!

What other veggies can I throw into this healthy ground beef stir fry to use up what's lurking in the fridge?

This recipe is super versatile! Sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli florets, carrots, or even some sugar snap peas would be fantastic additions. Just add them to the pan along with the cabbage and stir fry until they're tender crisp. It's like a culinary clear out, but delicious!

I'm not a fan of cabbage. Is there another leafy green I can use for this ground beef stir fry?

No worries, cabbage isn't for everyone! You can substitute it with bok choy, which is a Chinese cabbage with a milder flavor and a slightly peppery taste. Spinach or kale can also work, but they wilt more quickly, so add them towards the end of cooking. Just remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How can I make this healthy ground beef stir fry spicier? I like a bit of a kick!

Spice it up, baby! You can add more red pepper flakes to the sauce, or a finely chopped chili pepper (like a bird's eye chili) to the stir fry while you're cooking the aromatics. A drizzle of sriracha at the end is another easy way to add some heat.

If you are feeling experimental, a teaspoon of chilli oil would provide a spicy and umami flavour.