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Crispy Mongolian Beef

Crispy Mongolian Beef

A quick and easy Crispy Mongolian Beef recipe that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with a perfect balance of crispy texture, savory soy sauce, and subtle sweetness. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly dish is perfect for weeknight dinners and customizable to suit dietary preferences, making it a versatile and delicious meal option.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Coating

  • 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • ½ cup cornstarch (use gluten-free if needed)

Sauce

  • ⅓ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as a substitute)
  • ½ cup water or broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

Cooking

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Garnish

  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • Optional: toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Thinly slice the flank steak against the grain to ensure tenderness during cooking. Pat the slices dry thoroughly with paper towels to help cornstarch adhere better and achieve maximum crispiness.
  2. Coat with Cornstarch: Place the beef slices in a large bowl and toss evenly with cornstarch until all pieces are fully coated. This coating creates the crispy outer texture when fried.
  3. Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the beef slices in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook until golden brown and crispy, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  4. Make the Sauce: Remove excess oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and sauté briefly until fragrant. Pour in soy sauce, brown sugar, and water or broth. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
  5. Combine and Serve: Return the crispy beef to the pan with the thickened sauce and toss well to coat every piece. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

  • Dry beef slices thoroughly to prevent sogginess and improve crispiness.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying; cook in small batches to maintain oil temperature and texture.
  • Use fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor impact, avoiding powders.
  • Adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce by tasting and modifying brown sugar and soy sauce quantities.
  • Serve immediately for optimal crispiness.
  • Store leftover beef and sauce separately to maintain texture.
  • Reheat beef in a hot skillet with oil to regain crispiness instead of microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mongolian beef, crispy beef, quick dinner, Asian recipe, gluten-free, savory sweet, weeknight meal