Here is a full, detailed Mongolian Beef recipe with ingredients, prep instructions, cooking steps, and pro tips.
🇲🇳 Mongolian Beef – Full Detailed Recipe
A classic Chinese-American dish featuring tender slices of beef in a glossy, sweet-savory soy-ginger sauce. Quick to prepare and incredibly flavorful.
Ingredients (2–4 servings)
For the Beef
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1 lb (450 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
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1/4 cup cornstarch (for coating)
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2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sauce
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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2–3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
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1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
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1/2 cup water
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1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
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1–2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
For Stir-Fry
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2–3 green onions (spring onions), cut into 2-inch pieces
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Additional oil if needed
Optional Garnishes
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Sesame seeds
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Extra scallions
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Rice (for serving)
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Prepare the Beef
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Slice steak thinly (⅛–¼ inch) against the grain.
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Pat dry with paper towels.
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Toss the beef slices in a bowl with cornstarch, coating each piece evenly.
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Shake off excess and let the coated beef rest for 10 minutes.
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This lets the cornstarch adhere and helps crisp the beef later.
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2. Make the Sauce
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Heat 1 tbsp oil in a small pan over medium heat.
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Add minced garlic and ginger, sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant (don’t burn).
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Pour in:
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½ cup soy sauce
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½ cup water
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Add ½ cup brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
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Add chili flakes if using.
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Let sauce simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Turn off heat and set aside.
3. Cook the Beef
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Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
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When the oil is hot, add beef slices in a single layer.
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Cook in batches so they sear instead of steaming.
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Fry each side 1–2 minutes until browned and crisp on edges.
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Remove beef to a plate and continue until all pieces are cooked.
4. Combine Beef and Sauce
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Once all beef is cooked, return it to the wok or pan.
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Pour in the prepared sauce.
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Stir and cook for 2–4 minutes until:
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Beef is fully coated
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Sauce becomes glossy and thick
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Add green onions, toss for the final 30–60 seconds.
5. Serve
Serve hot over:
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Steamed jasmine rice
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Fried rice
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Noodles
Garnish with:
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Sesame seeds
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Extra green onions
Pro Tips
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Slice beef while semi-frozen for thin, even slices.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan—you want a good sear.
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If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water.
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For extra crispiness, fry beef 2x (quick double fry).