Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a quick, delicious, and satisfying dinner that packs a punch of bold flavors, you’ll want to try this Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe. It’s a perfect fusion of tender beef strips drenched in a savory, slightly sweet sauce, paired with noodles that soak up every bit of that glorious flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is not only fantastic for busy weeknights but also impressively easy to customize to your taste buds. Let’s dive into why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy Satisfaction: Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for nights when you want something fast but flavorful.
- Flavor Explosion: The balanced mix of sweet, savory, and umami flavors keeps every bite exciting.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses accessible pantry staples that don’t require a special trip to the store.
- Family Friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike, making it a go-to meal for everyone.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak with veggies and proteins, fitting a range of dietary preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe shines because of its simple yet essential ingredients. Each adds a specific touch, from the tender texture of the beef to the savory-sweet sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
- Beef strips: Choose flank or sirloin for tender, quick-cooking meat that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
- Soy sauce: Provides rich umami depth and salty flavor critical to the sauce.
- Brown sugar: Balances the saltiness with a gentle sweetness that caramelizes slightly when cooked.
- Garlic and ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger give a sharp, aromatic punch that livens up the dish.
- Green onions: Adds freshness and color contrast, finishing the dish with a mild onion flavor.
- Egg noodles or chow mein noodles: These hold saucy flavors well and offer a satisfying chew.
- Oil for cooking: Vegetable or sesame oil works great to stir-fry and enhance the nutty undertone.
- Optional red pepper flakes: For a hint of heat that complements the sweet and savory mix.
Variations for Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe
Feel free to customize this Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe to suit your cravings or dietary needs. It’s incredibly adaptable and easy to change up without losing its signature deliciousness.
- Swap beef for chicken or tofu: A great way to make the recipe lighter or vegetarian-friendly while keeping it protein-rich.
- Add mixed vegetables: Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas add color, crunch, and nutrition.
- Use gluten-free noodles: Such as rice noodles to accommodate gluten sensitivities without sacrificing taste.
- Make it spicy: Incorporate chili garlic sauce or fresh chilis for extra heat and complexity.
- Experiment with different sweeteners: Try honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a unique twist.
How to Make Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Slice the beef into thin strips against the grain for tenderness. Mince the garlic and ginger, chop green onions, and cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes. This sauce brings together the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add beef strips and sear quickly until browned and just cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Combine Beef and Sauce
Lower the heat slightly and pour the sauce into the skillet. Let it simmer until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Return the beef to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
Step 5: Toss in the Noodles
Add the cooked noodles directly into the skillet with beef and sauce. Toss everything together gently so the noodles soak up the flavors without breaking apart.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and an extra drizzle of sesame oil, if desired, for that nutty aroma and beautiful presentation.
Pro Tips for Making Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe
- Thin slicing: Slicing the beef thin against the grain ensures tenderness and quick cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook the beef in batches if needed to get a good sear without steaming.
- Simmer the sauce: Allow the sauce to reduce for a thicker, more clingy consistency on beef and noodles.
- Use fresh aromatics: Fresh garlic and ginger punch up the flavor way more than powders or pastes.
- Toss noodles last: Add noodles at the end so they absorb sauce but don’t become mushy.
How to Serve Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh green onions or scallions are perfect for a bright contrast. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil to add an irresistible aroma and texture.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed or stir-fried vegetables, like bok choy or snap peas, and a simple cucumber salad to lighten the meal. A bowl of miso soup also complements the rich flavors nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve it in a large family-style platter for a casual gathering or individually in bowls topped with pickled ginger or crushed peanuts to add textural depth. Wrapping the noodles and beef in lettuce cups offers a fresh, low-carb option that’s equally fun and tasty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors may deepen overnight, making it even tastier the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Store in freezer-safe containers, but note the texture of noodles might soften slightly after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. Avoid microwaving for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce substitute and swap regular noodles for rice noodles or other gluten-free varieties.
What cut of beef is best for this dish?
Flank steak or sirloin work best because they’re flavorful, tender when sliced thinly, and quick to cook.
Can I use other types of noodles?
Absolutely. Egg noodles, chow mein noodles, or even soba noodles are excellent choices, depending on your preference.
How spicy is this recipe?
The base recipe is mild but adding red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce can easily turn up the heat to your liking.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prep the sauce and slice the beef ahead, but for best texture, cook and combine just before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe is a flavorful, quick, and accessible meal that has all the qualities of a restaurant favorite without the fuss. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or craving a cozy dinner for yourself, it’s a warm hug of a dish that’s easy to make and delightful on every bite. Give it a try and watch it become one of your favorite go-to recipes in no time!
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Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe
This Mongolian Beef And Noodle Recipe is a quick, delicious, and satisfying dinner that combines tender beef strips in a savory, slightly sweet sauce with noodles that soak up the flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and easy to customize with veggies, proteins, and different noodle types, making it a family-friendly meal with bold, balanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free soy sauce and noodles are used)
Ingredients
Beef and Protein
- 300g flank or sirloin beef strips
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as alternative)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Noodles
- 200g egg noodles or chow mein noodles (or gluten-free rice noodles)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or sesame oil
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Optional: toasted sesame oil for finishing
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the beef into thin strips against the grain for tenderness. Mince the garlic and ginger, chop green onions, and cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes to create a balanced sweet and savory sauce.
- Cook the Beef: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips and sear quickly until browned and just cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Lower the heat slightly and pour the sauce into the skillet. Let it simmer until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Return the beef to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Toss in the Noodles: Add the cooked noodles directly into the skillet with beef and sauce. Toss gently so the noodles soak up the flavors without breaking apart.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and an optional drizzle of toasted sesame oil for a nutty aroma and beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness and quick cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking beef; cook in batches if necessary to get a good sear.
- Simmer the sauce to thicken it for better clinginess to beef and noodles.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor rather than powders or pastes.
- Add noodles last to avoid mushiness and to allow them to absorb the sauce perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Mongolian beef, beef noodles, quick dinner, Asian stir-fry, weeknight meal, family recipe, gluten-free option
