Quick & Easy Mongolian Beef
Tender crispy beef tossed in a sweet, savory sauce with a mild kick. This quick and easy Mongolian beef is ready in 30 minutes with simple ingredients. A delicious main dish that is better-than-takeout and great for the family!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb flank steak (or sirloin steak or skirt steak)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (or potato starch)
- 5 thin slices ginger
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 red chili pepper (chopped)
- 1 green onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds (for garnishing)
- 2 tsp regular soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or white pepper)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (do not skip this!)
- 4 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp regular soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (light or dark brown sugar will work)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or potato starch)
- ½ cup water (cold)
Instructions
- 1
Thinly slice beef on an angle into 1/4-inch thick pieces that are 2 inches in length. Transfer sliced beef into a large bowl. Tip: To thinly slice beef, freeze it for 45-60 minutes so the exterior becomes hardened and use a sharp knife to slice it.
- 2
Marinate beef strips with marinade ingredients as listed above for 10 minutes.
- 3
In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients as listed above and set aside.
- 4
In a separate bowl or on a large plate, add cornstarch and evenly coat each slice of marinated beef in the starch ensuring no bald spots. Transfer the coated pieces to a large plate.
- 5
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan on medium heat and fry beef in small batches in a single layer for 1-2 minutes until crispy. Do not over fry. Remove cooked beef and transfer to a wire rack or paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil.
- 6
Leave 1 tsp or 5 ml of vegetable oil in the pan and remove the rest. Reduce to low heat, sauté ginger, garlic, red chili for 10 seconds.
- 7
Pour in sauce to reduce and thicken.
- 8
Toss in fried beef and garnish with green onions. Remove off heat. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy!