People | Food | Culture

Mongolian Beef

ByAva
Published OnFeb 1, 2024
Updated OnApr 9, 2026
1 Comment

Today, we are making Mongolian Beef, a delicious stir-fry made with thinly sliced beef. This dish is prepared with flavorful ingredients such as garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Mongolian beef has become a popular choice in many Chinese-American restaurants.

Mongolian Beef is similar to Bulgogi, yet there are subtle differences that set them apart. While Bulgogi uses apple or pear to tenderize the meat, Mongolian Beef does not incorporate fruit for this purpose. Instead, it adds sugar, which contributes to a savory and sweet flavor profile. This dish is versatile and easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight. It’s great for meal prepping and can be served alongside rice and vegetables, such as steamed broccoli or roasted cauliflower.

Mongolian Beef uses a generous amount of garlic, yet the final dish does not taste overwhelmingly garlicky. Once cooked in the wok, the garlic’s intensity diminishes. While traditional Mongolian Beef recipes often call for more sugar than necessary, we have reduced it to 1 tablespoon for a balanced flavor. For the best results, choose cuts of meat that are easy to tenderize, such as sirloin, flank, rib-eye, or skirt steak. The tenderness of the meat is essential for an enjoyable dining experience.

Ingredients

Topside beef, Garlic, Soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, Oyster sauce & Water, Bell peppers, Chives, White sugar, Salt & Pepper.

Topside Beef is Lean and flavourful. This cut is thinly sliced, ensuring quick cooking while retaining the meat’s tenderness and juiciness. When marinated, the Beef has a robust, extra-flavored taste. The Garlic adds a sharp, pungent flavor to the Beef and vegetables. It creates a rich, savory note that works beautifully with brown sugar. Soy sauce has a salty, umami flavor that adds color and depth. Hoisin sauce has a sweet, tangy flavor that adds complexity and a smokiness to the Mongolian Beef.

Oyster sauce adds richness to the overall marinade. Water loosens the sauce. Bell peppers provide a flavor and a pleasant contrast to the sauces. Chives serve as a garnish, adding a pop of color and freshness. Brown sugar creates a sweet-savory balance. Salt is used in minuscule proportions and ensures that every bite is seasoned accordingly. Pepper adds a subtle heat and peppery taste without overpowering the other flavors in the Mongolian Beef.

Instructions

Chop the garlic and place it in a bowl. Then, add 1/2 cup of water, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, white pepper, salt, and sugar. Next, slice the topside beef. After that, slice the green and yellow peppers horizontally. Finally, chop the chives.

Add yellow and green peppers to the beef marinade and marinate the beef for 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse. Marinating helps break down the meat’s protein and allows the marinade to blend into the dish, resulting in more flavorful beef. The tender, soft beef strips will pair beautifully with the freshly cooked rice. You can reduce the marination time by 30 minutes.

Add the oil to the wok, then add the peppers and beef with the marinade. Afterward, add the soy sauce. We recommend mixing it well, then stirring the meat for 5 minutes.

Set the temperature to medium-high heat. Thereafter, reduce to medium-low heat for ten minutes. The Mongolian beef is ready to be served and enjoyed.

Expert Tips

Marination is a crucial step for tenderizing the meat. To prepare for stir-frying the beef, mix rice wine, soy sauce, and cornstarch. It is essential to sear the beef over high heat to keep it moist. After searing, you can reduce the heat. Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens, which is important for enhancing the flavor. Let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly, ensuring it coats the beef evenly. Initially, turn the heat to medium-high, then reduce it to medium-low for ten minutes.

What can you Serve with Mongolian beef?

Mongolian beef pairs well with white or jasmine rice; the neutral flavor of these grains provides a base for the beef’s rich flavors. Fried rice is also fantastic in this dish; consider an array of vibrant, colorful vegetables. Lo mein and rice noodles are also great options to add to this dish. Now, if you want to add more veggies to your diet, a vegetable stir-fry of bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas would be an incredible flavor combination.

How to Store Mongolian Beef?

Ensure the Mongolian beef cools before adding it to a Tupperware container. Once it has reached room temperature, place it in a BPA or glass container. Refrigerate for three to four days. If you want to keep it longer, it can last up to 3 months in the freezer. It is essential to use a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.