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Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry Bowls

Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry Bowls
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Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry Bowls feature tender, thinly sliced beef cooked quickly with a savory-sweet sauce and crisp vegetables, served over steamed rice or noodles. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly dish delivers bold, balanced flavors and is highly adaptable with protein and vegetable swaps for every preference.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Coating

  • 1 lb lean flank or sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as substitute)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

Vegetables

  • 2–3 green onions, sliced
  • Optional veggies: 1 cup bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas

Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

To Serve

  • Steamed rice or cooked noodles, as desired

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain for tenderness. Toss the slices with cornstarch to lightly coat, which will help create a crisp texture during cooking.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger until the sugar dissolves, balancing savory and sweet flavors perfectly.
  3. Cook the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the beef strips until browned but still tender, then remove from the pan to avoid overcooking.
  4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add your chosen vegetables to the skillet, stirring and cooking them for a few minutes until crisp-tender but still vibrant.
  5. Combine and Simmer: Return the beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the mixture and stir well. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything beautifully.
  6. Serve Your Bowls: Place steaming hot rice or noodles in bowls. Spoon the Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry mixture on top and garnish with sliced green onions to finish.

Notes

  • Use thin beef slices cut against the grain for the most tender results.
  • Cook over high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan; cook beef in batches if needed to develop a nice sear.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer for a glossy, thickened coating on the beef and vegetables.
  • Use fresh garlic, ginger, and green onions for the best authentic flavors.
  • Swap proteins like chicken, shrimp, or tofu, and add veggies such as mushrooms, carrots, or bok choy for variation.
  • For gluten-free, replace soy sauce with tamari.
  • Reduce sugar or substitute with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a low-sugar option.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen (separately from rice/noodles) for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave in short bursts to keep beef tender.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mongolian beef, stir-fry, quick dinner, Asian beef bowl, easy weeknight meal, gluten free, beef stir-fry, healthy dinner, savory sweet sauce

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/mongolian-beef-stir-fry-bowls/