Mongolian Beef
Easy Mongolian Beef is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender strips of beef cooked to a crispy finish in a savory-sweet sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting homemade dish rivals restaurant favorites and is perfect served with rice, noodles, or veggies. Adaptable and simple, it’s ideal for busy evenings or last-minute cravings.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Beef and Coating
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced across the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as alternatives)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup water or broth
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef thinly across the grain to ensure tenderness. Toss the strips in cornstarch until evenly coated, creating a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water or broth to form the savory-sweet sauce base.
- Cook the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, cooking until all sides are browned and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Combine Sauce and Beef: Pour the prepared sauce into the hot pan and bring to a simmer. Let it thicken slightly, then return the cooked beef to the pan and toss well to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Add Green Onions and Serve: Stir in chopped green onions for fresh crunch and color. Serve Mongolian Beef hot, ideally over steamed rice, noodles, or as desired.
Notes
- Slice beef thinly for quick cooking and tender bites.
- Cook beef in batches to avoid overcrowding and achieve a perfect sear.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for optimal flavor.
- Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer or adding more liquid as needed.
- Serve immediately for best texture and warmth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Mongolian Beef, Easy Mongolian Beef, Beef Stir Fry, Weeknight Dinner, Chinese Inspired Beef, Quick Dinner, Gluten-Free Mongolian Beef