Description
A quick and flavorful beef and cabbage stir fry featuring tender sliced beef, crisp shredded cabbage, and a savory blend of garlic, ginger, and soy-based sauces. Perfect for a healthy weeknight meal that comes together in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef
- 1 pound beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
Vegetables
- 1 medium head of cabbage, shredded
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Sauces and Oils
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Thinly slice the beef and prepare the vegetables—shred the cabbage, slice the onion, and julienne the carrots. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger to have everything ready for stir-frying.
- Cook the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef slices and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside to keep warm.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add sesame oil and sauté the minced garlic, grated ginger, sliced onion, and julienned carrots for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened, building the base of flavor.
- Add the Cabbage: Add the shredded cabbage to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage should soften but still retain a satisfying crunch.
- Combine and Flavor: Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Pour in the soy sauce, optional oyster sauce, rice vinegar (if using), sugar (if desired), and sprinkle black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and well-coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot as is for a low-carb option or alongside rice or noodles.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari and omit oyster sauce.
- Adjust the sugar quantity or omit it based on your taste preference for sweetness.
- Use flank steak or sirloin for tender, quick-cooking beef slices.
- Stir-frying on high heat is key to keeping vegetables crisp and beef juicy.
- Rice vinegar adds a nice tang but can be left out if unavailable.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to make it a complete meal.
