Mongolian Beef

A sweet, glossy, restaurant-style Mongolian beef that’s perfect over jasmine rice. Using dark brown sugar, dark soy sauce, and a touch of msg, this recipe hits that classic restaurant flavor. Sticky, sweet, and umami-rich, all ready in about 30 minutes.

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Servings: 4–5

Prep Time: 10 minutes (+30 min marinate)

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Difficultly: Easy

Recipe Video: HERE

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Ingredients:

Beef + Marinade

• 2 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

• 3 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce

• 2 tbsp dark brown sugar

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp msg

Sauce

• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce

• ½ cup water

• ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce

• 1 tbsp mirin

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 1½ tbsp garlic paste

• ½ tbsp ginger paste

• 1½ tsp cornstarch

• ¼ tsp msg

Finish

• 8 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

• Neutral oil for cooking

• Cooked Jasmine rice

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Instructions:

1. Marinate the Beef

Toss the sliced beef with soy sauces, brown sugar, cornstarch, black pepper, and baking soda. Marinate for 30 minutes.

2. Mix the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth, ensuring cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved. Set aside.

3. Sear the Beef

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil and sear beef in batches, 1–2 minutes per side, until deeply browned. Remove to a plate.

4. Cook the Sauce

Lower heat to medium. Pour the pre-mixed sauce into the pan and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir constantly 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

5. Combine

Return the beef to the pan. Toss continuously until fully coated with the sticky sauce.

6. Finish

Add scallions and toss for 30–60 seconds until just tender. Remove from heat and serve immediately over jasmine rice. Top with sesame seeds if desired.

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Recipe Notes

• Let the sauce reduce enough to coat the back of a spoon. This is what gives it that signature sticky, restaurant-style finish.

• Dark brown sugar gives deep caramel flavor. Adjust sugar to taste if desired.

• MSG enhances umami without adding salt.