Sweet, Savory, Weeknight Fast
This low carb Mongolian ground beef and cabbage is a quick, flavor-packed dinner made for busy nights. You get all the bold, slightly sweet Mongolian-inspired flavors you love—without the sugar or carbs. Tender ground beef, crisp cabbage, garlic, and ginger cook together in one skillet for a satisfying meal that’s keto-friendly and budget-conscious. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, uses simple pantry ingredients, and reheats beautifully for meal prep. If you’re craving takeout vibes with clean ingredients, this easy cabbage stir-fry will hit the spot.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground)
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute (monk fruit or erythritol)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet or wok
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it up until fully browned 😊
- Drain excess fat if needed, then reduce heat to medium.
- Add garlic and ginger, stirring for 30–45 seconds until fragrant 🌟
- Stir in cabbage, tossing well to coat with the beef and aromatics. Cook for 4–5 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Mix in soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweetener, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
- Cook 2–3 more minutes, allowing the sauce to lightly glaze everything and reduce slightly.
- Finish with sesame oil, stir once, then remove from heat 😋
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra saucy: Add 2–3 tablespoons water and simmer 1 extra minute.
- Veggie add-ins: Mushrooms or bell peppers work well without adding many carbs.
- Meal prep: Stores well in the fridge for 4 days.
- Spice it up: Add chili garlic sauce or extra red pepper flakes.