Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (2024)

Published: by Keri

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If you're a fan of Asian cuisine and are looking for a quick and easy meal to whip up for dinner, that uses simple ingredients, then this Easy Mongolian Beef recipe is definitely worth trying out. It only takes 30 minutes to make, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option. So, let's get cooking!

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (1)

Tender strips of beef are coated in a savory sauce made with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Served over a bed of fluffy rice, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Table of contents
  • Why we love this recipe
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • Which cut of beef works best in Mongolian Beef
  • Step-by-Step Recipe Directions
  • Other recipes you might like
  • Recipe FAQ's
  • Mom Tip
  • Recipe

Why we love this recipe

  • This is the perfect homemade version of one of our favorite takeout dishes that the entire family enjoys.
  • This easy Mongolian Beef recipe is ready in about 30 minutes and can be prepared even on busy days.
  • We love extra sauce with our rice, and this recipe has us covered.

Recipe Ingredients

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (2)

Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Steak, Corn Starch, Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Fresh Ginger, Fresh Garlic, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Beef Broth, and Green Onions.

Which cut of beef works best in Mongolian Beef

The best steak for Mongolian beef is one that is tender and flavorful, and can be easily sliced thinly against the grain. Some good options include flank steak, sirloin, and tenderloin.

We often buy New York Strip, and I have used this cut to make this Mongolian Beef recipe. It works really well.

Whichever type of steak you choose, it is important to slice it thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.

Step-by-Step Recipe Directions

If you like, cook some rice before starting this Easy Mongolian Beef. Either white rice or brown rice will work. It is personal preference.

Cut the onion and green bell peppers into bite size pieces. Mince the fresh garlic and ginger.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (3)

Thinly slice the steak and place it in a bowl. Add the cornstarch and mix together. Set aside until ready to use.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (4)

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Drizzle olive oil into the skillet and add the onions and green bell peppers. Cook and stir for a minute or so until they start to soften.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (5)

When the veggies have softened, move them to the outside edge of the pan and pour another drizzle of oil in the center. Add the steak, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, ginger and garlic. Stir and cook until the meat is just brown.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (6)

Mix together the soy sauce and brown sugar. Add the mixture to the pan and give a quick stir.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (7)

Next, add the beef broth. Stir well and bring to a boil. Simmer about 5 or so minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly because of the corn starch used on the beef.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (8)

Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. To add a bit more heat, add more red pepper flakes.

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (9)

Serve the Easy Mongolian Beef over rice topped with some freshly cut green onions. Enjoy!

Other recipes you might like

  • Simple Homemade Rice Pilaf
  • Simple Bell Pepper Casserole
  • Honey Garlic Shrimp
  • Chicken Sesame Ginger Wraps

Recipe FAQ's

Should I marinate the beef before cooking?

No, there is no marinade for this recipe. Just toss the strips of beef with the cornstarch before cooking.

How do I slice the beef thinly?

You can make thin slices by cutting across the grain of the meat at a slight angle.

Can I make this recipe without cornstarch?

No, cornstarch is necessary to create the texture on the beef and to thicken the sauce.

Can I use regular soy sauce instead of low-sodium soy sauce?

Yes, but be aware that regular soy sauce is saltier than low-sodium soy sauce, so you may need to adjust the amount used in the recipe.

Mom Tip

Mongolian Beef is the kind of dish that younger kids may, or may not like. If your little one is fussy about this meal, try serving them just the rice with a little bit of the Mongolian beef sauce on it. I usually make this recipe with mild spice, since more can always be added later for those that like it spicier.

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Recipe

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (14)

Simple Mongolian Beef

Easy Mongolian Beef has tender strips of beef that are coated in a savory sauce. Using simple ingredients this recipe is ready in about 30 minutes!

5 from 3 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 413kcal

Author: Keri Hix

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 Onion cut into bite size pieces
  • 2 Green Bell Peppers cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 pound Steak thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Corn Starch
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoons Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger minced
  • 2 teaspoon Fresh Garlic chopped or minced
  • ¼ cup Soy Sauce
  • ¼ cup Brown Sugar
  • 15 ounces Beef Broth
  • 3 Green Onions sliced

Instructions

  • Cook the rice and set aside until the Mongolian Beef is ready.

  • Cut the onion and green bell peppers into bite size pieces.

  • Mince the fresh garlic and ginger.

  • Thinly slice the steak and place it in a bowl. Add the cornstarch and mix together. Set aside until ready to use.

  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Drizzle olive oil into the skillet and add the onions and green bell peppers. Cook and stir for a minute or so until they start to soften.

  • Move the veggies to the outside edge of the pan and pour another drizzle of oil in the center. Add the steak, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, ginger and garlic. Stir and cook until the meat is just brown.

  • Mix together the soy sauce and brown sugar. Add the mixture to the pan and give a quick stir.

  • Next, add the beef broth. Stir well and bring to a boil. Simmer about 5 or so minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly because of the corn starch used on the beef.

  • Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. To add a bit more heat, add more red pepper flakes.

  • Serve the Easy Mongolian Beef over rice topped with some freshly cut green onions. Enjoy!

Notes

*The best steak for Mongolian beef is one that is tender and flavorful, and can be easily sliced thinly against the grain. Some good options include flank steak, sirloin, and tenderloin. I have often used New York Strip.

*Low-sodium soy sauce may be used in place of regular soy sauce.

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Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1572mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 477IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg

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Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Mongolian beef sauce made of? ›

Our recipe for Mongolian beef sauce includes oyster sauce, soy sauce, tamari soy sauce (as a replacement for dark soy sauce), chili sauce, sugar, and cooking wine. Check the ingredient list to see precise amounts. Don't forget that you can scale the recipe up and down!

What is a substitute for cornstarch in Mongolian beef? ›

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent in many Asian dishes. It gives the Mongolian beef its signature glossy, thick sauce. If you can't find cornstarch, use flour instead, but it may not provide the same clear, glossy finish.

Why is Mongolian beef so tender? ›

That's because restaurants use baking soda or cornstarch to tenderize the meat. It's a process called velveting beef. While the beef is tender (artificially so), it's lacking true beefy flavor. I gave up ordering Mongolian Beef years ago once I figured out how to make it better at home.

What to pair with Mongolian beef? ›

We also love serving this dish with garlic noodles, chow mein and a side of lightly roasted green beans. In the U.S. Mongolian beef is also commonly served over a bed of fried cellophane noodles, which adds a light, crisp texture to the overall dish.

What is the secret ingredient in stir fry beef? ›

Velvet the beef: The velveting technique involves tenderizing, marinating, and a quick searing of the meat. To tenderize: Sprinkle with baking soda (the secret Chinese meat tenderizer). To marinate (a quick marinade): Add basic beef marinade and mix to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15 minutes or up to overnight.

How to velvet beef for Mongolian Beef? ›

There are a few methods, but this is the easiest way:
  1. Sprinkle 3/4 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate soda) on 250g / 8oz sliced economical beef cuts.
  2. Toss with fingers, leave for 30 minutes.
  3. Rinse, pat off excess water.
  4. Proceed with stir fry recipe. It can be marinated with wet or dry seasonings, or cooked plain.
Feb 23, 2019

What can I use if I don't have cornstarch? ›

5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
  • All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder. If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. ...
  • Potato Starch. ...
  • Rice Flour. ...
  • Tapioca Starch.
Jun 23, 2023

What makes Chinese beef so tender? ›

While there are several ways to velvet, a pound of meat needs about two teaspoons of cornstarch and two teaspoons of oil, says Leung. You may also include two to three tablespoons of water. For beef, add a 1/4-teaspoon of baking soda for tenderizing. Additional seasonings are optional and vary from recipe to recipe.

Do you need to rinse baking soda off meat? ›

From there, leave it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight. Then take the meat out of the container and rinse it ensuring that all—or most—of the baking soda is off the steak.

Can baking soda make meat tender? ›

Briefly soaking meat in a solution of baking soda and water raises the pH on the meat's surface, making it more difficult for the proteins to bond excessively, which keeps the meat tender and moist when it's cooked.

Does soy sauce tenderize meat? ›

Why It Works. Salt and soy sauce tenderize meat, help it retain moisture, and increase its savoriness. Sugar helps browning characteristics. Oil helps distribute fat-soluble aromatic compounds over the meat.

Is there another name for Mongolian Beef? ›

Stir-Fried Spicy Beef (Previously: Mongolian Beef)

Sliced beef marinated in soy and then stir-fried with peppers and onions.

What is the difference between Mongolian Beef and Szechuan beef? ›

Szechuan Beef vs Mongolian Beef

Szechuan Beef has a sweet and spicy flavor with added chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns. The Szechuan peppercorns has a distinctive tingly numbing sensation when eaten. Mongolian beef has a mild and much simpler taste, making it a kids' favorite, outside of broccoli beef.

What is the difference between Mongolian Beef and Chinese beef? ›

Flavor Profile: Szechuan Beef is known for its spicy and numbing flavor, while Mongolian Beef offers a sweet and savory taste. Region of Origin: Szechuan Beef originates from the Sichuan province of China, while Mongolian Beef is inspired by the cuisine of Mongolia.

What is the difference between Mongolian and teriyaki? ›

True Teriyaki has Mirin and Sake in it and those two ingredients aren't in my Mongolian Beef recipe. That's like saying Ketchup is just co*cktail Sauce even though it needs horseradish to make it so.

What is Mongolian Beef supposed to taste like? ›

When done just right, it's perfectly sweet and savory, slightly spicy, and loaded with lots of delicious aromatics such as ginger, garlic, green onions and even a few dried red chilis, all combined to bring a nice pop of deep, fragrant flavor.

What's better Mongolian Beef or Szechuan beef? ›

Szechuan Beef vs Mongolian Beef

Szechuan Beef has a sweet and spicy flavor with added chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns. The Szechuan peppercorns has a distinctive tingly numbing sensation when eaten. Mongolian beef has a mild and much simpler taste, making it a kids' favorite, outside of broccoli beef.

What does Mongolian style BBQ sauce taste like? ›

Deep and flavorful, our Mongolian Style BBQ Sauce can attribute its flavor profile to smoked black pepper, sweet molasses, soy sauce and garlic making this sauce versatile for marinades and as a finishing sauce.

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