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Easy Crack Slaw with ground beef and cabbage stir fry in a bowl

Easy Crack Slaw — Asian Ground Beef Noodle

A quick and satisfying skillet meal inspired by egg roll flavors, featuring ground beef, ramen noodles, and coleslaw mix, all in a savory sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Comfort Food
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (85 or 90 percent lean)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (optional, only if beef is very lean)
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (fresh grated or squeeze tube)
  • 1 bag coleslaw mix (14 to 16 ounces)
  • 2 packs ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (or low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (more to finish if you love it)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey (optional) Balances the salty flavor
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Crushed red pepper or sriracha, to taste
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup water or broth (to help soften noodles)
  • Green onions and sesame seeds for topping

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Break it up as it cooks. If there's a lot of grease, drain most of it but leave a little for flavor.
  2. Add garlic and ginger. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not walk away; garlic can go from perfect to bitter fast.
  3. Toss in the coleslaw mix. It may look like too much at first, but it cooks down quickly. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar (if using), pepper, and crushed red pepper or sriracha if desired. Stir well.
  5. Break the ramen noodles into chunks and scatter them over the top. Pour in water or broth. Stir, cover, and let cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir again and cover again if needed until noodles are tender.
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Need it saltier? Add more soy sauce. Want it brighter? Add a splash more vinegar. Want more heat? Add sriracha.
  7. Top with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.

Notes

This dish is very flexible. You can add sliced mushrooms, shredded carrots, or bell peppers. Adjust the heat level to your preference. Meal prep by storing in airtight containers and reheating with a small splash of water.