Korean Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sesame
Ground beef stir-fried with crunchy cabbage and a savory-sweet Korean-inspired sauce, finished with toasted sesame seeds for extra aroma and texture. This korean-inspired stir fry ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, green cabbage, thinly sliced, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated ginger to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until cabbage is tender but still slightly crisp.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Korean Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Korean Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sesame?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Korean Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sesame?
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 Korean Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sesame 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.
What goes well with Korean Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sesame?
Korean stir fry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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