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crispy Mongolian Beef

Crispy Mongolian Beef features tender, thinly sliced beef coated in a golden crunchy layer and tossed in a rich, aromatic sauce that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, customizable to your taste, and sure to become a favorite family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Coating

  • 1 lb flank or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (or almond/coconut flour for low-carb)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 cup)

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/4 cup water or broth

Garnishes

  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Optional: toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: thinly sliced red chilies (for heat)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef into thin strips against the grain for maximum tenderness. Lightly toss the strips in cornstarch until fully coated, then set aside to ensure a crispy finish when fried.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and water or broth. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a smooth, glossy sauce ready for coating the beef.
  3. Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the cornstarch-coated beef strips in small batches for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Transfer the cooked beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  4. Combine and Glaze: Remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving a small amount to sauté garlic and ginger briefly. Pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the crispy beef back into the pan and toss quickly to coat every piece evenly with the sticky sauce.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sliced green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds or chilies over the beef. Serve immediately hot, ideally over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Use cold beef slices to help hold the coating during frying and achieve better crispiness.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature and crisp texture.
  • Prepare the sauce ahead of time to speed up the cooking process and enhance flavor melding.
  • Fresh garlic and ginger deliver vibrant aromatics; avoid powdered substitutes for best taste.
  • Serve immediately after coating in sauce to prevent the crispy coating from softening.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mongolian Beef, crispy beef, Chinese recipe, quick dinner, easy Mongolian beef, gluten-free Asian dish, crispy beef strips