Spicy Mongolian Beef – 30 Minute Meal

There is no need to grab take out once you see how quick and easy it is to make Spicy Mongolian Beef at home! Have this sweet and spicy meal on the table in just 30 minutes.

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We get take out a few times a month now that we’ve moved back to what I like to call “civilization” after living in between farms for the past 6 years. I have to admit, I do love the convenience and the break from cooking dinner once in a while.

But, I’m super picky and like to know exactly what’s in the food that I’m eating. So, I’ve started trying to make my favorite take out recipes at home.

With most, I’ve failed. But, I make a really good Coconut Curry Chicken and now, I’ve got Mongolian Beef under my belt as well!

Why This Recipe Works

• This recipe is just as good, if not better than, take out.
• Enjoy it spicy, or eliminate the red pepper flakes for a milder version.
• You can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.

How to Make Spicy Mongolian Beef

Prep!

Start cooking your rice (or noodles) in a separate sauce pan.

If you need to, cut your beef into small strips.  Toss the beef and cornstarch in a bowl and set aside. Mince the garlic and ginger.

Tip: you can buy beef already cut in thin strips to save time.

Create!

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about a minute, then add the beef.

Cook until the beef is just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. The beef may look like there is gravy on it from the cornstarch – this is okay! Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside. Clean out the skillet and return it to the burner on medium heat.

Add the soy sauce, water, and hoisin sauce to the pan. Stir in the brown sugar and red pepper flakes, then add the beef back in. Simmer until the sauce thickens to your liking.

Tip: use less red pepper flakes to lessen the spice, or omit them completely for a mild version.

Present!

Serve this Spicy Mongolian Beef over rice or noodles. Top with sliced scallions, if desired.

Tips and Techniques for the Best Spicy Mongolian Beef

• Buy pre-sliced beef strips to save time.
• Omit or lessen the red pepper flakes for a more mild version.
• Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.

FAQ’s

• Is Mongolian Beef spicy? Take out Mongolian Beef is generally a spicy dish. If you make it at home, you can make a mild version by simply omitting the pepper.
• Is Mongolian Beef gluten free? Take out Mongolian Beef is most likely not going to be gluten free. If you make your own Mongolian Beef, you can make it gluten free by using gluten free soy sauce and gluten free hoisin sauce.
• Is Mongolian Beef keto? No, Mongolian Beef is not keto-friendly.

Other Recipes to Try

• Beef & Broccoli Zoodles
• Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
• Italian Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet

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Print

Spicy Mongolian Beef

There is no need to grab take out once you see how quick and easy it is to make Spicy Mongolian Beef at home! Have this sweet and spicy meal on the table in just 30 minutes.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Beef, Gluten Free

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 541kcal

Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef * sliced into thin strips
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic * minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger * minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes * optional

Instructions

• Toss the beef strips and cornstarch in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or wok over medium heat.
• Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the beef and cook until just done, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the beef to a plate and wipe out the skillet.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add the soy sauce, water, and hoisin sauce.
• Stir in the brown sugar and red pepper flakes, then add the beef back in as well.
• Cook until everything is heated through and sauce thickens to your liking.
• Serve over rice or noodles.

Notes

Tips and Techniques for the Best Spicy Mongolian Beef

• Buy pre-sliced beef strips to save time.
• Omit or lessen the red pepper flakes for a more mild version.
• This recipe can be made gluten free using gluten free soy sauce and gluten free hoisin sauce.
• Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.

** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1285mg | Potassium: 504mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 3.8mg

The recipe was originally publish May 2, 2017. It was updated with new images, more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in September 2019.