Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (2024)

This Homemade Mongolian Beef is a quick and easy 30-minute recipe the whole family will love. The crispy yet tender beef and saucy vegetables are delicious with the sweet and savory garlic and ginger sauce. All you need is a steamy bowl of cooked rice and dinner is made!

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (1)

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The BEST Mongolian Beef Recipe

We love re-creating our favorite takeout recipes like Chow Meinand Chicken Fried Rice. This Chinese restaurant-inspired Mongolian Beef is so EASY to make and tastes just as amazing as P.F. Chang’s. Thinly sliced beef seared until crispy with carrots, bell pepper, and green onion in a sweet and spicy sauce that adds so much flavor to the beef.

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (2)

Ingredients

Beef – Flank steak is best to achieve very thin slices without becoming tough and chewy. You can substitute top sirloin, skirt steak, flat iron steak, top round, or even rib eye steak with great results. Cut the beef against the grain.

VegetablesJulienne the carrot and bell pepper, and slice the green onions into longer pieces which is nice for a stir fry. Authentic Mongolian Beef is made with just the green onion so if you want to skip the veggies, you can but we love the flavor and texture they add.

Cornstarch adds a slightly crisp layer to the outside of the beef, tenderizes the beef and also helps to thicken up and stabilize the sauce.

Saucethe homemade stir fry sauce combines warm aromatic flavors of ginger and garlic with the sweetness of brown sugar and is balanced by savory soy sauce and a hint of spice from sriracha.

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (3)

Pro Tip:

TIP: If you freeze the beef for 30 minutes, it’s easier to achieve even, thin slices.

How to Make Mongolian Beef

This recipe comes together quickly and is best when served fresh. Whenever you are making a stir fry over high heat, it cooks fast so make sure all of the ingredients are measured and prepped before starting the recipe.

  • Coat Beef – Add cornstarch to the beef slices and completely coat.
  • Make the Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
  • Sautee Vegetables – Add oil and butter to a large wok or skillet over medium/high heat. Once it’s hot, saute the vegetables to your desired doneness, stirring frequently. Remove from the skillet and cover to keep warm.
  • Cook Meat – Add more oil and cook the beef in a single layer until it’s crispy and has a good sear (don’t overcook the meat). TIP: Don’t overcrowd the pan, if needed, cook in batches. Add the vegetables back to the beef.
  • Add Sauce –Pour in the sauce and add the green onion, turn the heat down to medium. Cook until the sauce thickens. TIP: If you prefer a spicier sauce, add additional Sriracha to taste.
Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (4)

What to Serve with Mongolian Beef?

Since this dish is so flavorful and saucy, pair it with simple sides:

  • Ricefluffy white rice, brown rice or even fried rice
  • Steamed Vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy, snow peas, or mix of vegetables
  • Quinoa – a great alternative to rice
  • Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls
  • Noodles – such as lo mein, udon, or soba noodles

Leftovers

Storing – The Mongolian Beef is great for meal prep because it will keep well refrigerated for up to three days. This is also a great recipe to use as meal prep and keep in individual portions to take to work and reheat for lunch.

Reheating – It’s always best to reheat using the same method a recipe was cooked so reheat on the stovetop or use the microwave if you’re on the go.

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (5)

Once you give this homemade version of the Classic P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef a try, it will be on repeat for dinner.

More Easy Asian Recipes

Mongolian Beef Recipe

5 from 241 votes

Author: Valentina Ablaev

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (7)

EASY Mongolian Beef recipe with the BEST sauce! Thinly sliced beef with vegetables in flavor-packed sauce ready in under 30 minutes!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 4 people

Mongolian Beef Ingredients

  • 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 Tbsp neutral oil, divided*
  • 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain*
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup green onions, thickly sliced (from 4 stems)
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds, optional garnish

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, (packed)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce, *
  • 1 tsp Sriracha, or added to taste

Instructions

  • Place beef slices in a bowl, add cornstarch and stir to completely coat.

  • In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the sauce and stir until well combined, set aside.

  • In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 Tbsp oil with 1 Tbsp butter over medium/high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the carrot and peppers and stir fry until crisp-tender or to your desired tenderness, stirring frequently. Remove the vegetables to a separate plate.

  • Increase to high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Once hot, add the beef and sear for about 2 minutes per side to create a crispy coating. Add more oil if the skillet seems dry. Do not crowd the pan and cook the beef in batches if needed.

  • Add the vegetables back into the skillet with the green onion. Add the sauce and stir to combine. Turn heat to medium/low and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired and serve.

Notes

Substitutions:
Beef – You can also use top sirloin, skirt steak, flat iron steak, top round, or even rib eye steak. Cut the beef into thin slices across the grain. If you freeze the steak for 30 minutes, it will be easier to thinly slice.
Oil – use an oil with a high smoke point such as peanut oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or extra light olive oil
Soy Sauce – Use Tamari Sauce for gluten-free Mongolian Beef. If using regular soy sauce, add it to taste since it has more salt.

Nutrition Per Serving

377kcal Calories32g Carbs26g Protein16g Fat5g Saturated Fat76mg Cholesterol816mg Sodium596mg Potassium2g Fiber20g Sugar3651IU Vitamin A42mg Vitamin C59mg Calcium3mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Mongolian Beef Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

377

% Daily Value*

Fat

16

g

25

%

Saturated Fat

5

g

31

%

Cholesterol

76

mg

25

%

Sodium

816

mg

35

%

Carbohydrates

32

g

11

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

20

g

22

%

Protein

26

g

52

%

Vitamin A

3651

IU

73

%

Vitamin C

42

mg

51

%

Calcium

59

mg

6

%

Iron

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: mongolian beef, PF Changs Mongolian Beef

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 377

Valentina Ablaev

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute Recipe) (8)

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Mongolian Beef (Easy, 30-Minute 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 the fastest way to prepare beef? ›

When it comes to cooking your beef, searing and sautéing are the most common practices. The former involves quickly cooking the outside of the meat, while the latter is similarly fast but with the goal of cooking the meat all the way through.

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

Szechuan Beef is known for its use of Szechuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and often a spicy sauce made with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Mongolian Beef, on the other hand, features ingredients such as soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, and sometimes oyster sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.

Why is Mongolian beef so tender? ›

The science behind using baking soda to marinate Mongolian Beef: The alkalinity of baking soda raises the pH of the meat, causing the proteins to move further apart, and that makes it more tender and easier for us to chew or bite into.

What is the secret ingredient in stir fry 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.

Is Mongolian Beef authentic Chinese? ›

Despite its name, the dish has nothing to do with Mongolian cuisine. Mongolian beef is among the meat dishes developed in Taiwan where Mongolian barbecue restaurants first appeared. Thus, none of the ingredients or the preparation methods are drawn from traditional Mongolian cuisine but rather from Chinese cuisine.

How to cook beef quickly and tender? ›

8 simple tips to make meat softer
  1. Utilize the meat tenderizer. A quick and easy method is the use of the meat tenderizer. ...
  2. Cover the meat with coarse salt. ...
  3. Acid marinade. ...
  4. Marinade with fruit puree. ...
  5. Slow cooking in a pan. ...
  6. Grilling. ...
  7. Add the coarse salt halfway through cooking. ...
  8. Use baking soda.

How long do you soak beef in milk? ›

Be sure to prep enough marinade to submerge the entire steak. #2 – Place the steak and seasoned milk in a resealable plastic bag or covered container, and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours. #3 – Rinse the meat in cool running water, pat it dry, and discard the milk.

How many minutes should you cook beef? ›

To cook rare, allow 15-20 minutes per 500g of meat. To cook medium allow 20-25 minutes per 500g of meat. To cook well done allow 25-30 minutes per 500g of meat. Use a leave-in meat thermometer for the perfect roast – try this one.

What ethnicity is Mongolian beef? ›

Mongolian barbecue, despite its name, is Taiwanese, not Mongolian. Mongolians typically cook with beef, lamb, mutton, or cheval, all of which come from the traditional herd animals in Mongolia.

Why is Chinese takeout beef so tender? ›

In Chinese cooking, proteins like beef, pork or chicken are velveted first before stir-frying them. There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts.

Is Mongolian beef healthy for you? ›

In conclusion, Mongolian beef can be a healthy and nutritious dish when prepared with the right ingredients and cooking methods. It's a good source of protein, iron, zinc, and various vitamins and minerals.

What does baking soda do to meat? ›

Baking soda. Here's where it gets science-y: The baking soda raises the pH on the outside of the meat as it marinates, in a process known as velveting (which can also be done with a cornstarch slurry). This makes it so the proteins have a harder time bonding to each other when it's time to cook the meat.

Do you need to rinse baking soda off meat? ›

Just as you would with dry brining, rinse your meat until it's (mostly) free of all the baking soda.

Why do Mongolians boil their meat? ›

Winters are harsh in Mongolia and it is better to preserve the fat… Boiling is a better choice and after a while people get used to taste… Because the Mongols cooked over dung fires, they usually boiled meat rather than roasting or frying it.

What does Mongolian beef taste like? ›

Mongolian Beef can be described as having a savory soy-based sauce with scallions as its main aromatic. Szechuan Beef has a similar soy sauce-based profile but with the addition of a spicy element, such as fresh or dried chilis and/or Sichuan peppercorns for a numbing sensation.

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 does Mongolian food taste like? ›

For instance, meat from the Gobi region has a distinct taste with hints of wild garlic, while meat from the steppe areas is known for its rich wild onion flavor.” These nuances are important as many Mongolian dishes contain just three basic elements: meat, wheat and salt. Spices and sauces don't play a big part.

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