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Juicy Mongolian Ground Beef Cabbage

Mongolian ground beef cabbage - featured image

A quick and easy Mongolian-inspired dish combining savory, sweet, and umami flavors with tender-crisp cabbage and juicy ground beef, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs), thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Remove outer leaves from cabbage if wilted, then slice into thin ribbons about 1/4 inch thick. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Set aside.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned and starting to caramelize.
  5. Add sliced cabbage and stir well. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until cabbage softens but retains slight crunch. Add a splash of water if it starts to stick.
  6. Pour in the sauce and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and coat ingredients evenly.
  7. Remove from heat, stir in sliced green onions, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.

Notes

To keep cabbage tender-crisp, avoid overcooking and add a splash of water if needed. Let ground beef brown without stirring too often to develop crispy bits. Adjust soy sauce or sugar to taste before serving. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Can swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mongolian, ground beef, cabbage, easy dinner, quick recipe, weeknight meal, savory, sweet, umami