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Classic Mongolian Beef Recipe

Classic Mongolian Beef Recipe


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4.5 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mongolian beef features tender steak coated in sweet, savory sauce. This takeout-style dish is perfect for busy evenings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb beef steak
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 white onion

Beef Marinade and Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Sauce and Garnish:

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon Chinese five spice
  • 23 green onions
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Whisk 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1 tbsp water into a marinade. Coat 1 lb thinly sliced beef thoroughly and let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Create sauce by blending 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp honey, ½ tsp Chinese five spice, 2 tsp cornstarch, ¼ cup water, and optional hot sauce until completely smooth.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok at 425°F. Sauté 1 chopped red bell pepper and 1 sliced white onion for 2 minutes until slightly softened. Transfer vegetables to a separate plate.
  4. Add remaining oil to wok at high heat. Sear marinated beef in single-layer batches for 2 minutes per side, ensuring golden brown edges without overcrowding the pan.
  5. Immediately introduce 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated ginger to the beef. Stir continuously for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  6. Pour prepared sauce over beef. Simmer at medium heat for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats beef glossily.
  7. Return reserved vegetables to wok. Toss everything together for 1 minute to reheat and blend flavors.
  8. Plate and sprinkle 2–3 sliced green onions and optional 1 tsp sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

Notes

  • Meat preparation is crucial for tender, flavorful Mongolian Beef, so slice against the grain and ensure even thickness for consistent cooking.
  • Marinating helps tenderize the beef and adds depth of flavor, but avoid marinating longer than 15-20 minutes to prevent meat from becoming mushy.
  • High heat is essential for achieving that classic restaurant-style sear, so make sure your pan or wok is extremely hot before adding meat.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use cornstarch alternatives like arrowroot powder to maintain sauce consistency.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 387 kcal
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 1140 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg