Dinner · Tested at home

Mongolian Beef

Name: Mongolian Beef
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds beef, cut into thin strips; 1/2 bunch green onions, sliced; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 4 teaspoons vegetable oil, for the sauce; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1 cup soy sauce; 1 cup water; 1 2/3 cups packed brown sugar; 3 tablespoons cold water; 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch, for the slurry; Sesame seeds and cooked rice, for serving, optional

This Mongolian beef features thin strips of marinated beef in a glossy garlic, ginger, soy, and brown sugar sauce. Green onions cut through the richness, and rice is useful for catching every bit of the bold, sweet savory sauce.

Jump to ingredients ↓Start cooking ↓

Turn up the heat

Let’s cook.

Combine the beef, baking soda, sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons oil. Let the beef marinate for 20 minutes.
Heat 4 teaspoons oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Stir in 1 cup soy sauce, 1 cup water, and the brown sugar. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Whisk the cold water and remaining cornstarch until smooth. Stir the slurry into the sauce and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, until glossy and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook the beef in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Avoid crowding the pan.
Return all the beef to the skillet. Add enough sauce to coat it and stir in the green onions. Serve over rice with sesame seeds, if desired.

From Justin’s kitchen

This is an intentionally sweet and generously sauced version. Add the sauce gradually if you prefer a lighter coating, and refrigerate any extra sauce separately.

Mongolian Beef

Ingredients

Let’s cook.

Share this recipe