This Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful Chinese-inspired dish featuring ground beef, tender cabbage, and crisp red bell peppers tossed in a peppery soy-based sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight main course to serve with hot steamed rice, bringing a satisfying blend of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors to your table.
Total Time:30 mins
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 small head cabbage, shredded
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
For the Sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1 pinch salt, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the garlic, shred the cabbage, and slice the red bell pepper into strips. Measure out the ground beef, soy sauce, cornstarch, and other seasonings to have everything ready before you start stir-frying.
Sauté the Aromatics and Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped garlic and quickly sauté for about 5 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef and stir-fry, breaking it up, until evenly browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
Add the Vegetables: Stir in the shredded cabbage and sliced red bell pepper. Continue to stir-fry until the vegetables are tender and the beef is fully cooked, making sure the veggies stay a bit crisp for best texture.
Add the Seasonings and Sauce: Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle in the black pepper. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the cold water to dissolve, then stir this mixture into the beef and vegetables. Season with a pinch of salt, adjusting to taste.
Thicken and Serve: Cook the stir-fry, stirring continually, until the sauce has thickened and everything is well coated with flavor. Serve hot, ideally over freshly steamed rice. Enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, use freshly ground black pepper.
Swap ground beef for ground chicken, pork, or plant-based mince for a different protein.
Try adding sliced green onions or a dash of sesame oil at the end for added aroma.
Double the sauce ingredients if you like your stir-fry saucier.
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days—great for meal prep!
