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Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef is a popular dish known for its savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors. This recipe highlights the tender beef coated in a rich sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal, Mongolian Beef goes wonderfully with steamed rice. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish is both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying.

Mongolian Beef

This recipe was originally published in April of 2014. The recipe remains the same but the photo and body of the post has been updated. Thanks for reading OrWhateverYouDo!

Restaurant-Style Mongolian Beef Recipe

If I had to pick a favorite time of food, one I could eat every day for the rest of my life and not get sick of, it would undeniably be Asian food? Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Cambodian, please give it all to me. I love it so much, and the category is so broad you could easily make a different recipe every day of the week for YEARS and not have repeats.

Our Mongolian Beef Recipe features tender slices of steak in a flavorful sauce, making it a standout dish for any meal. This recipe balances sweet and savory notes, creating a delightful eating experience. Various cuts of steak can be used, ensuring flexibility and convenience. The combination of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce delivers a rich and aromatic profile that’s hard to resist.

Why you’ll love it!

  • Quick and Easy: Simple steps and minimal prep time make it perfect for busy nights.
  • Flavorful: A balanced mix of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
  • Versatile: Can be made with different cuts of steak.
  • Restaurant-Quality: Brings a favorite takeout dish to your home kitchen.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: Sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Canola Oil
  • Minced Garlic
  • Ground Ginger
  • Light Soy Sauce
  • Water
  • Brown Sugar
  • Steak
  • Salt
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Cornstarch
  • Green Onions
  • Sweet Onion
Mongolian Beef

How to make Mongolian Beef at home

Wondering what you’re getting yourself into when you make this dish? Here’s a quick overview of the process! Make sure you follow the instructions at the recipe card at the bottom of the post while you’re cooking.

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a pan over medium heat, sauté garlic in a tablespoon of oil until fragrant. Add ginger, soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. Simmer until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens.
  2. Prepare the Beef: Slice beef against the grain into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Season with salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Coat with cornstarch and let sit.
  3. Cook the Onions: Sauté sweet onions in a few teaspoons of oil over medium-high heat until tender. Remove from pan.
  4. Sear the Beef: Add oil to the pan and heat until just below smoking. Sear beef in batches until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and drain excess oil.
  5. Combine and Serve: Return beef and sweet onions to the pan, pour in the sauce, and simmer until thickened. Stir in green onions. Serve hot over rice.

Try with our Smash Dumplings!

Mongolian Beef

FAQ

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover Mongolian Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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How do I reheat this dish?

Reheat in a pan over medium heat until warmed through, or use a microwave in short intervals.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce and slice the beef ahead of time. Store separately and combine when ready to cook.

What variations can I try?

Add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli for extra nutrition and variety. Toss in some Sriracha into the mix for a little bit of a kick. Serve with crispy fried rice noodles for a more restaurant-like experience.

Serve this with…

Mongolian Beef
Yield: 8 servings

Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef

Delicious Mongolian Beef recipe that is easy, delicious, and totally satisfying. 

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup light soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 pounds steak (flank, New York strip, flat iron, skirt, etc)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped (green parts only)
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, sliced

Instructions

  1. Place 1 tablespoon of oil into a pan over medium heat. Saute garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the ginger, soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sugar is fully dissolved and the sauce has slightly thickened.
  2. Slice beef into 1/2 inch thick slices, against the grain. Season liberally with salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Lightly coat the seasoned beef in cornstarch, and let it sit while you preheat your pan.
  3. Add a few teaspoons of oil to a non-stick pan and place it over medium-high heat. Lightly sauté the sweet onions until they are tender.
  4. Remove, add enough oil to thinly cover the bottom of your pan, and turn the heat up to high. You want the oil JUST under the smoking point.
  5. When the pan and oil are hot, add the beef in batches. Cook for a minute or two, and then turn. You want to sear the sides and add some color, but not cook it all the way through.
  6. Remove from the pan once seared and drain off excess oil into a heat-proof container.
  7. Add the beef and sweet onions back into the pan and pour the sauce in.
  8. Bring the container up to a high simmer and cook until the sauce is thickened.
  9. Stir in the green onions last.
  10. Serve hot over rice.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 450Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1405mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 24g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Looks delicious!! will try it soon.

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