Description
Crispy Mongolian Beef features tender, thinly sliced beef coated in cornstarch and fried to a perfect golden crisp, tossed in a savory-sweet sauce with soy, garlic, and brown sugar. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is customizable, quick, and delivers bold flavors and addictive textures, making it ideal for family dinners or quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1-2 cups)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
Garnishes and Optional
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain for tenderness. Toss the beef strips evenly in cornstarch, coating all sides thoroughly to ensure a crispy exterior when fried.
- Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Fry the coated beef in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook until the beef is golden and crispy on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, remove excess oil leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add minced garlic and ginger, stirring gently until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Combine soy sauce and brown sugar, pour into the pan, and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and turns glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and Cook: Return the crispy beef to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat each piece with the sauce. Cook for an additional 1 minute to blend the flavors well.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir in sliced green onions and sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Slice beef across the grain for tender bites.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to keep beef crispy.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for vibrant flavor.
- Simmer sauce until thickened enough to cling to beef.
- Serve immediately to enjoy optimal crispiness.
- To keep crispiness when storing leftovers, store sauce and beef separately if possible.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best texture, avoid microwaving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Mongolian beef, crispy beef, quick dinner, Asian stir-fry, gluten-free beef recipe