Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry Bowls
Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry Bowls are a quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender beef strips, fresh vegetables, and a savory-sweet sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish offers a perfect balance of crispy textures and rich flavors, customizable to your preferences and ideal for busy days or sharing with family and friends.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with tamari and gluten-free base)
Protein
- 1 lb beef strips (flank or sirloin)
Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Vegetables
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
Other
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
- Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)
- Prep your ingredients: Slice your beef into thin strips for quick and even cooking. Chop broccoli and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic and ginger carefully to prepare for the sauce.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger until the sugar dissolves. This sauce forms the flavorful base of the dish.
- Cook the beef: Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips in a single layer and sear until browned and just cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: In the same pan, toss in broccoli and bell peppers. Stir-fry quickly to keep veggies crisp and vibrant, cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine everything: Return the beef to the pan with the vegetables. Pour in the sauce and add cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water). Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef and veggies.
Notes
- Slice beef thinly against the grain for tenderness and faster cooking.
- Ensure the pan is hot before adding beef to achieve a caramelized exterior.
- Cook beef in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding and steaming.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor impact.
- Add cornstarch slurry gradually to prevent lumps and achieve a glossy sauce.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds for extra texture and brightness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; keep rice or noodles separate if reheating.
- Freeze beef and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat in skillet over medium heat with a splash of water rather than using a microwave to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (with rice or noodles)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Mongolian beef, stir-fry, quick dinner, beef stir-fry, easy Asian recipe, weeknight meal, healthy dinner, customizable stir-fry