This Mongolian Beef recipe is incredibly easy + weeknight-friendly. You’ll love this iconic dish that packs mega flavor with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, scallions, and more. Pair the umami-laden, saucy beef with steamed rice for an ultimate takeout-inspired homemade meal that everyone will swoon over!

mongolian beef with white rice on yellow plate

Asian cuisine is one of my favorite cuisines outside of my own Caribbean background. I love everything about the flavors, the spices, a lot of their signature dishes, etc. To be honest, some of my most memorable eats involve Asian cuisine. Like goodness, I can still remember that one time I had the most insanely delicious bowl of authentic Japanese ramen, y’all. OMG.

mongolian beef with white rice on yellow plate with fork

Mongolian beef is seriously a super-duper favvvvv. Whenever I order Asian takeout, it’s usually first on the list of items I’m eyeing. Additionally, whenever I’m at the good ole P.F. Changs restaurant chain, this glazed beef is also a dish my eyes gravitate towards when I’m there.

ingredients for mongolian beef in bowls

Ingredients Needed For This Recipe:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • Flank steak, cornstarch, oil (for frying), ginger, garlic, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and scallions (green onions).

This Mongolian Beef recipe is so easy to make at home with a handful of ingredients. It’s ready in under 45 minutes with fresh and bold flavors. If you appreciate a quick yet flavorful meal, this one is it. Now let’s gooo…

browned flank steak in skillet with wooden spoon
flank steak in skillet with scallions and wooden spoon

How To Make Mongolian Beef:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flank steak and cornstarch. Toss to coat all pieces of steak, set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the pieces of steak in an even layer and cook the steak until browned and lightly crisp. Then transfer all the steak to a plate and set aside.
  3. Add the ginger and garlic to the same skillet and cook until fragrant.
  4. Add broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar, and stir well to combine and let the mixture come up to a boil. Then return the steak to the pan and simmer with the sauce.
  5. Lastly, add the scallions and continue cooking for the flavors to meld.
  6. Serve the mongolian beef immediately with a garnish of sesame seeds if you’re feelin’ extra fancy and enjoy, boo 😋.
beef with white rice on yellow plate

I love the pungent flavor of fresh ginger with the garlic, sweetness from the brown sugar, and the umami-kissed beef. All of the elements of flavor really play well off of each other and make this mongolian beef recipe chef’s kiss 🤌🏾!

What To Pair With This Recipe

As pictured, I enjoy serving this saucy mongolian beef over steamed white rice.

However, other items to pair here:

  • vegetable fried rice
  • broccoli
  • lo mein/chow mein noodles
  • ramen noodles
  • bok choy
  • green beans
  • cauliflower rice
mongolian beef with white rice on yellow plate

Looking For A Cornstarch Substitute?

Try using arrowroot or tapioca starch as substitutions for cornstarch. Both options are great starchy flours and are also gluten-free! It’s important to note that if you’re using either one of these to double the amount (that I call for using cornstarch) as it is not an equal 1:1 replacement of cornstarch.

mongolian beef with white rice on yellow place with fork

There’s a good reason that Mongolian Beef is a delicious staple that everyone loves. It’s truly one of my favorites. Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

More delicious meals:

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
mongolian beef with white rice on yellow plate

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (9-Ingredients!)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 11 reviews
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6
  • Category: Main Courses
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

Description

This Mongolian Beef recipe is incredibly easy + weeknight-friendly. You’ll love this iconic dish that packs mega flavor with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, scallions, and more. Pair the umami-laden, saucy beef with steamed rice for an ultimate takeout-inspired homemade meal that everyone will swoon over!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs flank steak, sliced into 2-inch pieces against the grain
  • ¼ cup cornstarch 
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • 6 scallions, chopped into 2-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper- to taste
  • Sesame seeds, for garnishing & steamed white rice, for serving- optional

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flank steak and cornstarch. Toss to coat all pieces of steak, set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, working in batches, gently add pieces of steak in an even layer. Cook the steak until browned and lightly crisp, about 5-6 minutes. Then transfer all the steak to a plate and set aside.
  3. Add the ginger and garlic to the same skillet and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add broth (or water), soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir the mixture to combine and let the mixture come up to a boil, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add the steak back into the pan, stirring the steak well to combine with the simmering sauce, and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. Lastly, add scallions and stir well to combine. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes for the flavors to meld. Give the dish a taste test and adjust with salt/pepper to preference.
  7. Serve the beef immediately with steamed white rice (or your favorite sides) and garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.

Notes

  1. Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.

Recipe by: Quin Liburd- Butter Be Ready

Photography by: Ashley McLaughlin