Black Pepper Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry
Black Pepper Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish combining tender beef with crisp cabbage and a bold, spicy kick from freshly ground black pepper. Perfect for busy weeknights, this wholesome recipe balances protein and fiber using simple, everyday ingredients. The savory soy sauce and aromatic garlic and ginger elevate the stir fry to a comforting and exciting meal that can be easily customized to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 300g thinly sliced beef (sirloin or flank steak)
Vegetables
- 3 cups fresh green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- Optional: 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper (plus extra for garnish and seasoning)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for marinade)
Cooking Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sunflower oil)
- Prepare the ingredients: Thinly slice the beef against the grain to ensure tenderness. Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger. Have the soy sauce and freshly ground black pepper ready for use to streamline the cooking process.
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl, combine the beef slices with a splash of soy sauce, a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper, and, if desired, a teaspoon of cornstarch to enhance tenderness. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables.
- Stir-fry the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the beef in batches until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside to keep it juicy.
- Cook the aromatics and cabbage: Add a bit more oil to the pan if needed. Toss in the minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then add the chopped cabbage and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until it softens slightly but still retains some crunch.
- Combine and season: Return the beef to the pan with the cabbage. Add additional soy sauce and a fresh grind of black pepper. Stir everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Serve hot: Remove the stir fry from heat. Garnish with chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Slice beef thinly for quick cooking and tenderness.
- Use freshly ground black pepper to maximize flavor impact.
- Cook over medium-high heat to sear quickly and lock in juices.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; stir-fry beef in batches if necessary.
- Add cabbage after aromatics and cook until crisp-tender for best texture.
- Optional: Use cornstarch in marinade for extra tender beef.
- To keep it gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: beef stir fry, black pepper beef, cabbage stir fry, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, high protein, gluten free stir fry