Easy Mongolian Beef that Your Family Will Love!

This quick and easy Mongolian Beef comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for a weeknight dinner that your family will absolutely love! With just one pot, you can whip up a comforting meal packed with flavor that’s so versatile, you can switch up the ingredients based on what’s in your pantry. It’s a fantastic way to clean out the fridge while still enjoying a delicious meal!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mongolian Beef

Alright, let’s dive into what you’ll need for this delicious dish. Below is a breakdown of the ingredients that will make your Mongolian Beef shine like a superstar on your dinner table!

• 1 pound beef flank steak (thinly sliced; aim for a thickness between ⅛ to ¼ inch)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons Shaoxing rice wine (or any dry sherry if you’re in a pinch)
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt (a tad less if you’re using fine salt)
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (this helps tenderize the beef while creating that incredible sauce)
• 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil works wonders here)
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper (adjust to your liking; I like it spicy!)
• 1 tablespoon additional Shaoxing rice wine (because why not?)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the sweetness that balances the savory)
• 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced; about 2 cloves, yum!)
• ½ large yellow onion (sliced; adding sweetness and texture)
• 1 bunch green onion (cut into 2-inch pieces, separating the white from the green parts)
• 1 ounce rice vermicelli (medium thickness; optional but super fun!)
• Oil (as needed for cooking)

• If you can’t find Shaoxing wine, use dry sherry or omit it (though I do think it adds great depth).
• Don’t have flank steak? Chuck steak or sirloin can work, too!
• Swap out rice vermicelli for regular rice or noodles if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
• Need it gluten-free? Try tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Let’s Get Cooking!

Ready for the fun part? Here’s how you can create this soul-warming Mongolian Beef that will make your kitchen smell amazing!

Marinate the Beef

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the water, Shaoxing rice wine, Kosher salt, baking soda, and cornstarch. Add in your thinly sliced flank steak and toss to coat. Let this marinate for about 15 minutes. This step is key, it helps to tenderize the beef while infusing it with flavor!

Optional: Fry the Vermicelli Nest

2. Prepare the Vermicelli: If you’re using rice vermicelli, get a pot of water boiling. Drop in the vermicelli and cook until just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and set aside. You can also form a fun nest by briefly frying it in a pan with a bit of oil until crispy. So good!

Make the Mongolian Beef

3. Sear the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is shimmering, toss in the marinated beef in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan!) and cook for 2-3 minutes until it’s just browned and caramelized. Remove from the pan and set aside.

4. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add another splash of oil if needed. Toss in the garlic and the white parts of the green onion. Stir, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds. The magic moment!

5. Add the Onions: Add the sliced onion to the pan and cook until they’re translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Here’s where you scrape the yummy bits off the bottom, so much flavor hiding down there!

6. Combine Everything: Next, return the beef back to the skillet. Sprinkle over that granulated sugar, soy sauce, and the additional Shaoxing rice wine. Give it all a good stir, and bring to a simmer. Oh, the aroma will be heavenly!

7. Thicken the Sauce: Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until everything is heated through, and the sauce has thickened just a bit, about 2-3 minutes. Toss in the green onion tops right before serving for color and freshness.

8. (Optional) Serve with Vermicelli: If you made the fried vermicelli nest, serve the Mongolian Beef over or alongside it. It’s like a crispy pillow for all the beefy goodness!

Why I Love This Recipe

Honestly, this is my go-to recipe when I need something delicious, quick, and comforting. On busy weeknights, when the pizza delivery starts looking like a likely option, this Mongolian Beef saves the day! I’m a real sucker for recipes that come together in a snap, but taste like you slaved away all day! The best part is you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, so it’s perfect for improvising!

And, just between us, this meal is a huge hit with my kids. They’re always asking for seconds, which of course warms my single-mom heart!

If you loved this Mongolian Beef, be sure to check out my Teriyaki Chicken Thighs, or my Shrimp Boil Foil Packets! Each of these is packed with flavor and perfect for those weeknight meals.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This Mongolian Beef comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something comforting but don’t have a ton of time!

One Pot Wonder

That’s right, minimal cleanup required! Just one skillet and a bowl for marinating. Yes, please!

Budget-Friendly

Using everyday ingredients means this meal won’t break the bank. You might have most of this stuff just hanging out in your pantry!

Serving and Storage Tips

What to Serve With This

Serve this tasty dish with steamed rice, fluffy jasmine rice, or even on a bed of crunchy veggies. It can also be delicious with a side of stir-fried kale or bok choy for extra greens!

Storage

Leftovers (if you have any, haha) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat gently in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until heated through. You can also toss it in a skillet over low heat to warm up.

Freezer Friendly

Not a fan of leftovers sitting in the fridge? This dish freezes well, too! Just freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above.

And there you have it, my quick and easy Mongolian Beef recipe! It’s a fabulous meal with so many benefits that your family will truly love. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to taste amazing, right? Enjoy making this delightful dish as much as I do, and let me know how it turns out! You’re going to impress everyone around your dining table.

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