Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef that is easy to make but so good you will never want to order Chinese takeout again

Mongolian Beef bursting with wonderfully tender beef saturated in the most-lick-the-plate delicious, multidimensional sauce ever – all in a quick and easy stir fry! (Photos updated February 2019)

WATCH: How to make Mongolian Beef

 

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EASY MONGOLIAN BEEF RECIPE

This Mongolian Beef is better than your favorite restaurant (read the reviews!) and can feed the family at a fraction of the cost. It boasts a secret ingredient sauce and a winning technique for melt-in-your-mouth beef that will have everyone licking their plates and singing your praises. Best of all, this Mongolian Beef recipe is easy to prep ahead, then it’s just a quick stir fry to dinner!

What is Mongolian Beef?

Typical Mongolian beef sauce consists of:

• soy sauce
• brown sugar
• garlic
• ginger

With just these ingredients, I think  Mongolian Beef can tastes flat and one dimensional.  THIS Mongolian Beef recipe, however boasts all of the aforementioned ingredients but gets:

• a kick of tang from Asian Sweet Chili Sauce in its place and now this sauce is off the OMY charts.

  If you aren’t familiar with Asian Sweet Chili Sauce (sometimes says “Thai” on the label), it is sweet, with a hint of spice and packed with flavor from a combination of red chilies, onion, garlic, Japanese rice wine, brown sugar and fish sauce. Basically, a whole lot of my favorite everything in one bottle.  And now a whole lot of my favorite everything in one stir fry.

  

  Easy Mongolian Beef Ingredients

  This is such an easy Mongolian beef and broccoli stir-fry! Here’s what you’ll need to make the stir-fry and the Mongolian beef sauce:

  • Flank steak: See my notes below on why I recommend using flank steak.
  • Oil: Either vegetable or peanut oil will work.
  • Broccoli florets: Buy pre-cut florets to save yourself some time.
  • Red bell pepper: I prefer using red bell pepper since it’s sweeter than other kinds.
  • Green onions: Adds a lighter onion flavor and doesn’t overwhelm the dish.
  • Garlic and ginger: If you’re looking to save time and skip some chopping, you can substitute the fresh garlic and ginger with powders. The typical rule of thumb is 3:1, so one part dried to three parts fresh.

  Mongolian Sauce Recipe Ingredients

  • Soy sauce: Use reduced sodium soy sauce so we can control the salt level.
  • Brown sugar: Use light brown sugar. It adds sweetness to balance the soy sauce, rice wine and heat. You can more or less depending on personal preferences.
  • Asian sweet chili sauce: Sweet, with a hint of spice and packed with flavor from a combination of red chilies, onion, garlic, Japanese rice wine, brown sugar and fish sauce. 
  • Mirin: Rice wine adds a sweetness and depth of flavor. I use “Kikkoman Aji-Mirin: Sweet Cooking Rice Seasoning,” which is commonly found in the Asian section of most grocery stores or you can Amazon it. 
  • Hoisin sauce: Adds a tangy flavor.
  • Asian hot sauce:  I recommend adding more to taste at the end of cooking if you would like it spicier instead of red pepper flakes, because it distributes more evenly.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it’s rich instead of watery.

  What’s the Best Beef for Mongolian Beef?

  I recommend flank steak in Mongolian Beef because although it is an inexpensive cut of beef, it transforms into buttery delicious when marinated and coated in soy sauce and cornstarch.  You can use sirloin steak for this Mongolian Beef recipe as well, but I wouldn’t pay the extra $$ for it if you don’t have it on hand already.

  

  How to Make Mongolian Beef

  1. Thinly slice beef. In addition to the marinade, the key to tender beef is to THINLY slice your steak across the grain, we are talking 1/8-1/4.”  Thin slices ensure steak that is seeping with flavor and buttery tender.  It is much easier to thinly slice your steak if you freeze it for 30 minutes or so.  You are welcome to freeze it longer, whatever makes it solid enough for you to handle without it moving under your knife.  The beef will defrost completely and quickly in the marinade.
  2. Slice your beef ACROSS the grain.  You can see the “grain” running through the meat in one direction. The grain is essentially the muscle fibers running through the meat. If you cut it parallel to the grain you will end up with long muscle fibers which results in chewy, rubbery meat.  You want to cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers so they become as short as possible.
  3. Marinate beef. Because we are using flank steak, a marinade is crucial to tenderize the beef. Our simple marinade consists of soy sauce and cornstarch.   It will be thick and not your typical wet marinade.  Let sit at room temperature 30-60 minutes.

  

  Making the Mongolian Beef Sauce

  4. Make Sauce. Whisk the Mongolian Beef Sauce ingredients together consisting of soy sauce, water, brown sugar, Asian sweet chili sauce, rice wine, hoisin, pepper, sriracha and cornstarch.
  5. Stir Fry Beef. Heat 1-2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil a large skillet over high heat until very hot and sizzling.    It is important that the skillet be smoking hot so that the beef will sear and not steam.  Working in two batches (again so the beef will sear and not steam), add beef to the skillet and line in a single layer and sear for 1 minute, flip and sear the other side.  Don’t worry about the beef cooking completely because it will cook more in the sauce. Don’t overcook or it won’t be as tender!  Transfer beef to a large plate and cover.
  6. Cook broccoli.  Add 1 tablespoon oil to the now-empty skillet; heat over high heat. Add the broccoli and saute for 30 seconds. Add 3 tablespoons water, cover pan, and lower heat to medium. Steam broccoli for 2 minutes. Push the broccoli to the sides of the skillet and add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add bell pepper, green onions, garlic, ginger, and sauté with broccoli 1 minute so now our veggies are cooked AND infused with flavor!

  

  7. Combine. Return the beef to the skillet and toss to combine. Whisk the sauce to recombine then add to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened, the beef is cooked and vegetables are crisp tender, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and add additional sriracha, sweet chili sauce, etc. if desired.
  8. Serve! Serve with rice/noodles/zoodles and garnish with fresh green onions.

  The trick to making Mongolian Beef crispy

  To make Crispy Mongolian Beef you are going to want to add more oil, so you are essentially frying your beef.  Make sure you use a high smoking point oil such as vegetable oil.

  1. Fill the bottom of your pan completely with vegetable oil.
  2. Heat over high heat until it very hot smoking – the oil should sizzle if you flick water on it.
  3. Add beef in a single layer using tongs.
  4. Fry for 1 minute or until deeply golden.
  5. Flip beef strips over and fry another 1 minute or until deeply golden.

  

  Prepping this Easy Mongolian Beef in advance

  This Mongolian stir-fry has a few steps, but you can prep EVERYTHING ahead of time so all that’s left to do at dinnertime is cook! Here’s how:

  • Slice Beef:  you can do this at any time before marinating or just before marinating then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Marinate Beef:  marinate your beef 30 minutes up to 8 hours before cooking.
  • Make Mongolian Sauce:  whisk the ingredients together up tot 24 hours in advance and store, covered in the refrigerator.
  • Chop veggies:  you can chop your garlic, grate your ginger and slice your green onions and bell peppers 24 hours in advance and store in separate air tight containers in the refrigerator.
  • Cook!  Now all that’s left to do is stir-fry and dinner is served in less than 10 minutes!

  Mongolian Sauce Recipe tips and tricks

  • freeze your beef for 30-60 minutes to make it easier to thinly slice
  • slice your beef across the grain
  • slice your steak THINLY into 1/8″-1/4″ slices
  • make sure your skillet is smoking hot before adding your beef
  • add beef in a single layer to sear – you will probably need to cook in two batches
  • don’t overcook your steak initially because you will add it back to the skillet with your sauce
  • use QUALITY hoisin sauce like Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman (it DOES make a difference!)
  • use rice wine and NOT rice wine vinegar.  I use “Kikkoman Aji-Mirin: Sweet Cooking Rice Seasoning” which is commonly found in the Asian section of most grocery stores or you can Amazon it.  I highly suggest you google image before you head off to the grocery store so you know exactly what you are looking for.
  • cut your broccoli into uniform pieces

  Mongolian Beef Sauce variations

  • feel free to substitute the broccoli for other veggies
  • customize the heat with additional sriracha or chili sauce
  • you can substitute rice wine with pale dry sherry
  • you can substitute vegetable oil but NOT olive oil for the peanut oil because olive oil has a lower smoking point

  

  Reheating this Mongolian Beef Recipe

  For best results, I recommend reheating leftover Mongolian beef and broccoli in a skillet over medium heat. If you microwave the beef, it can become slightly rubbery.

  How to freeze this Easy Mongolian Beef

  Yes, Mongolian Beef freezes very well, except for the bell peppers.  If using bell peppers, you may want to pick them out or they will get mushy.  Also,  take care not to overcook the beef or it won’t be as tender when reheated.

  To freeze, let Mongolian Beef cool completely in the refrigerator.  Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.  When ready to eat, let Mongolian Beef defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

  

  What to serve with this Mongolian Beef Recipe

  Mongolian Beef is wonderfully flavorful so it pairs nicely with plain white or brown rice, quinoa and even cauliflower or zucchini rice. It is also good with different Asian Noodles such as rice noodles.

  If you’re looking for a more elaborate Chinese feast, this Mongolian Beef  pairs nicely with with Wontons, Asian Salad, Potstickers, Wonton Soup and  Chinese Chicken Egg Rolls.

  Mongolian Sauce Recipe FAQs

  What makes Mongolian Beef tender?

  While the tantalizing sauce makes this dish, it could easily be unmade without melt in your mouth beef.  But this beef is nothing short of crazy tender and flavorful from one simple step of coating your beef in a little soy and cornstarch before stir frying.  Here’s how it works:
  soy sauce:  the salt in the soy sauce helps break down the proteins for a more tender texture and infuses the steak with flavor.
  cornstarch: acts as a binder and helps our soy sauce bind to the meat for more flavorful beef.   Cornstarch also provides a light coating that helps protect it from the intense heat when cooking.  Sooooo tender!

  What Readers are Saying about this recipe

  By far the best Mongolian beef recipe!– Susanne

  This was dinner tonight and we loved it!! – Kathy

   I made the recipe exactly as instructed, and I purchased all of the recommended ingredients. Out of this world delicious! – Joanna

  Made this tonight and it is amazing!! 2 thumbs up from everyone! – Jenny

  Made this tonight and such an incredibly tasteful dish, we all loved it, none of your recipes disappoint! – Stephanie

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  MONGOLIAN BEEF

  Mongolian Beef that is easy to make but so good you will never want to order Chinese takeout again! This Mongolian Beef is bursting with wonderfully tender beef saturated in the most-lick-the-plate delicious, multidimensional sauce ever – all in a quick and easy stir fry!

  Servings: 4 -6

  Total Time: 1 hour hr 18 minutes mins

  Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

  Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

  Marinating 1 hour hr

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  Ingredients

  • 1 pound flank steak cut across the grain into 1/8″ thin slices, then cut into 2” length pieces*
  • 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • vegetable or peanut oil

  Stir Fry****

  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced then cut in half
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

  Sauce

  • 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup Asian sweet chili sauce (like Mae Ploy)
  • 2 tablespoons mirin/sweet Japanese rice wine or dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon quality hoisin sauce (Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha/ Asian hot chili sauce

  Garnish

  • Green onons, chopped

  Instructions

  • Add beef to a large freezer bag along with 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Toss to evenly coat. Add ¼ cup cornstarch and toss to evenly coat. Let sit at room temperature 30-60 minutes.**
  • Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Heat 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil a large nonstick skillet over HIGH heat until very hot and sizzling. Add half of the beef to the skillet in a single layer and sear 1 minute, flip over and cook 1 more minute minute (it will cook more in the sauce). Don’t overcook or it won’t be as tender! Transfer beef to a large plate and cover. Repeat***
  • Add 1 tablespoon oil to the now-empty skillet; heat over high heat. Add the broccoli and saute for 30 seconds. Add 3 tablespoons water, cover pan, and lower heat to medium. Steam broccoli for 2 minutes.
  • Push the broccoli to the sides of the skillet and add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add bell pepper, green onions, garlic, ginger, and sauté with broccoli 1 minute.
  • Return the beef to the skillet and toss to combine. Whisk the sauce to recombine then add to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened, the beef is cooked and vegetables are crisp tender, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and add additional sriracha, sweet chili sauce, etc. if desired.
  • Serve with rice and garnish with fresh green onions.

  Video

  Notes

  Don’t miss the “how to make” recipe video at the top of the post!

  • *Beef is easiest to slice when partially frozen.
  • **The 30-60 minutes tenderizes the beef but if you don’t have the time, you can still make the stir fry – still coat in soy/cornstarch and just skip the resting time.
  • ****You can use any vegetables you would like in the stir fry and saute them with the red bell peppers EXCEPT if you are adding snow peas, add them after the sauce has thickened and cook them for about 1 minute or until crisp-tender.
  • ****If you are only adding a few vegetables, you can increase the beef to 1 ½ pounds and coat with 1 ½ tablespoons soy and 6 tablespoons cornstarch.
  • Use rice wine and NOT rice wine vinegar.  I use “Kikkoman Aji-Mirin: Sweet Cooking Rice Seasoning” which is commonly found in the Asian section of most grocery stores or you can Amazon it.  I highly suggest you google image before you head off to the grocery store so you know exactly what you are looking for.

  How To Make Crispy Mongolian Beef

  To make Crispy Mongolian Beef you are going to want to add more oil, so you are essentially frying your beef.  Make sure you use a high smoking point oil such as vegetable oil.   

  1. Fill the bottom of your pan completely with vegetable oil.
  2. Heat over high heat until it very hot smoking – the oil should sizzle if you flick water on it. 
  3. Add beef in a single layer using tongs.
  4. Fry for 1 minute or until deeply golden.
  5. Flip beef strips over and fry another 1 minute or until deeply golden. 

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