Five-Spice Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame Oil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef strips stir-fried with crisp cabbage in a nutty toasted sesame oil and soy sauce blend accented with warm five-spice powder. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe (high protein, gluten free option), ready in about 22 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, thinly sliced beef sirloin, shredded green cabbage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then add 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin. Sear and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and just cooked through. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 2 cloves minced garlic and 4 cups shredded green cabbage. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until cabbage softens but retains some crunch.
  3. Step 3: Return the beef to the skillet and add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp five-spice powder, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through and flavors meld. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Five-Spice Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame Oil take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Five-Spice Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame Oil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame Oil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Five-Spice Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame Oil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Five-Spice Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame Oil high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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