Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef

A takeout-style classic made at home in under 45 minutes. Thinly sliced flank steak is coated in cornstarch, quickly pan-fried until crispy, then tossed in a bold, glossy sauce of soy, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Serve over steamed rice for a weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

4 servings · Prep 20 min · Cook 15 min · Total 35 min

Chinese · Dinner · Main Course

Main

  • 1.5 lb flank steak sliced very thin against the grain, about 1/4 inch thick
  • 0.33 cup vegetable oil or any neutral high-heat oil
  • any neutral high-heat oil
  • 4 whole green onions cut into 1-inch pieces, green and white parts separated
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds toasted, for garnish

Beef Coating

  • 0.33 cup cornstarch for coating the beef
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Sauce

  • 0.5 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar packed, light or dark
  • dark
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated or finely minced
  • 1 tsp sesame oil toasted

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Wok
  • Paper Towel
  • Platter
  • Serving Platter
  • Measuring Cups
  • Whisk
  • Plates
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Serving Platters (Large)
  • Tongs
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)

Instructions

  1. Pat the @[Flank Steak] dry with paper towels. Slice it very thin (about 1/4 inch) against the grain at a slight angle. Place the slices in a bowl, season with @[Black Pepper], and toss with the @[Cornstarch] until every piece is evenly coated. Let sit for ~[10 minutes] while you prepare the sauce.
  2. In a small bowl or #[Measuring Cups], whisk together the @[Low-Sodium Soy Sauce], @[Brown Sugar], @[Water], minced @[Garlic], grated @[Ginger], and @[Sesame Oil] until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Set aside.
  3. Heat the @[Vegetable Oil] in a #[Wok] or #[Skillet] over ^[high heat] until shimmering. Working in two batches, add the @[Cornstarch]-coated @[Beef Flank Steak] in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for ~[1–2 minutes] until the bottom is crispy and browned, then flip and cook another ~[30–60 seconds]. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining @[Beef Flank Steak].
  4. Carefully pour off most of the @[Vegetable Oil] from the #[Wok], leaving about 1 teaspoon. Add the white parts of the @[Green Onions] and stir-fry for ~[30 seconds]. Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil over ^[high heat], stirring, until it thickens slightly, about ~[2–3 minutes]. Return all the seared @[Beef Flank Steak] to the #[Wok] and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Add the green tops of the @[Green Onions] and toss once more.
  5. Transfer to a serving platter or directly over steamed rice. Garnish with toasted @[Sesame Seeds] if desired. Serve immediately.