How do you make Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry at home?

To make Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry, start by slicing 1 pound of beef thinly against the grain. Marinate the beef with soy sauce, minced garlic, and a little cornstarch for about 15 minutes. In a hot skillet or wok, cook the beef until browned, then remove it and set aside. Add shredded cabbage and sliced onions to the pan, stir-frying until crisp-tender. Return the beef to the pan, add toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Stir everything together for 2-3 minutes, then serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

What type of beef is best for stir-frying with cabbage?

The best beef cuts for stir-frying with cabbage include flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye. These cuts are tender and have enough marbling to stay juicy when cooked quickly over high heat. Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck or brisket, as they require longer cooking times and may become chewy in a stir fry.

Can I make Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce, which often contains wheat. Also, check any additional sauces or marinades for gluten ingredients. This substitution won’t alter the dish’s flavor significantly but will make it safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

How long does Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry take to cook?

The total cooking time for Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry is about 15-20 minutes. Preparing and marinating the beef takes around 15 minutes, while the actual stir-frying process takes about 7-10 minutes. This makes it a quick and convenient meal option for busy weeknights.

What are some healthy benefits of Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry?

Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry is nutritious because it combines lean beef protein with cabbage, a low-calorie vegetable rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants. Sesame seeds add healthy fats and minerals like calcium and magnesium. This dish supports muscle health, digestion, and overall wellness while being relatively low in carbohydrates when served without rice or noodles.

Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry: 30-Minute Asian Dinner

Name: Sesame Beef Cabbage Stir Fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: – 2 Tbsp high-heat oil (such as avocado or safflower); – 1 lb (approximately 450 g) flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain (or any steak cut, or ground beef); – Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; – 1 large white onion, thinly sliced; – 1 small green cabbage, roughly chopped; – 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; – 2/3 cup (approximately 80 g) shredded carrots; – 1/2 cup (approximately 120 ml) soy sauce, low-sodium (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 1/3 cup (approximately 80 ml) water (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 2 Tbsp cornstarch (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 2 Tbsp maple syrup (or preferred sweetener) (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 1-2 tsp chili-garlic sauce (adjust for heat) (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 1 tsp ground ginger (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil (for the sesame-ginger sauce); – Thinly sliced green onions (optional, for garnish); – Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish); – Cooked brown rice, noodles, quinoa, or another grain of choice (for serving base)

Ingredients

– 2 Tbsp high-heat oil (such as avocado or safflower)

– 1 lb (approximately 450 g) flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain (or any steak cut, or ground beef)

– Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

– 1 large white onion, thinly sliced

– 1 small green cabbage, roughly chopped

– 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

– 2/3 cup (approximately 80 g) shredded carrots

– 1/2 cup (approximately 120 ml) soy sauce, low-sodium (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 1/3 cup (approximately 80 ml) water (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 2 Tbsp cornstarch (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 2 Tbsp maple syrup (or preferred sweetener) (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 1-2 tsp chili-garlic sauce (adjust for heat) (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 1 tsp ground ginger (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil (for the sesame-ginger sauce)

– Thinly sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)

– Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

– Cooked brown rice, noodles, quinoa, or another grain of choice (for serving base)

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Instructions

1-Getting started with this sesame beef cabbage stir fry is like stepping into a friendly chat in my kitchen simple, straightforward, and full of excitement. First, gather all your ingredients and whisk together the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, water, cornstarch, maple syrup, rice vinegar, chili-garlic sauce, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl until it’s smooth; set it aside for later. This step ensures everything blends perfectly when it’s time to toss it in.

2-Next, season your sliced steak with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to bring out that savory taste. Heat 1 Tbsp of the high-heat oil in a wok or large sauté pan over high heat, then add the steak and stir-fry it for 4-5 minutes until it’s browned but still juicy; transfer it to a plate to rest. For an even easier approach, if you’re new to stir-fries, check out our easy chicken stir-fry recipe for more tips on mastering the basics.

3-Now, add the remaining 1 Tbsp oil to the pan and stir-fry the onion for about 4 minutes until it’s softened. Toss in the cabbage, garlic, and shredded carrots, and stir-cook for 2-4 minutes until the cabbage is just right crisp but tender. Finally, return the steak to the pan, pour in that prepared sauce, and toss everything for about 30 seconds until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients. Serve it up over your favorite grain like brown rice, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if you like.

Notes

🔪 Slice the steak as thinly as possible and let it sit salted for 30 minutes to boost tenderness.
🔥 Cook the steak in batches; overcrowding the pan will steam the meat rather than sear it.
🥢 Marinate the steak briefly (10‑15 minutes) in a portion of the sauce before cooking for deeper flavor.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stir‑fry
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: High‑protein, Gluten‑free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (≈ 250 g)