Mongolian Ground Beef

Savory, slightly sweet, and ready in under 30 minutes, this Mongolian Ground Beef recipe is your answer to a quick, satisfying, and budget-friendly dinner. Inspired by the bold flavors of classic Mongolian beef, this version uses ground beef for convenience—making it perfect for weeknights without sacrificing taste. With its sticky garlic-ginger sauce, it’s delicious over rice, noodles, or tucked into lettuce wraps.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fast & Easy – Ready in just 25 minutes with minimal prep.
Budget-Friendly – Uses ground beef instead of steak.
Packed with Flavor – Rich soy garlic sauce with sweet and savory balance.
Versatile – Serve over rice, in wraps, or over roasted veggies.
Family-Approved – Mild heat and sweet-savory flavor kids and adults love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Mongolian Beef:
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional, depending on beef fat content)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional for added richness)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening)

For Serving:
• Steamed white or brown rice
• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Steamed broccoli or snap peas (optional)

Tools You’ll Need
• Large skillet or wok
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Mixing bowl for cornstarch slurry
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon.
Cook for 5–7 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Ginger
Stir in garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin (if using), red pepper flakes, and water.
Pour sauce into the skillet and stir to coat the beef.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Stir together cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry.
Pour into skillet and stir well. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef.

Step 5: Serve
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or serve with vegetables.

Tips for the Best Mongolian Ground Beef
Use Lean Ground Beef – Less grease, more flavor.
Adjust Sweetness – Add more or less brown sugar depending on your taste.
Go Spicy – Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
Make it a Bowl – Serve over rice with broccoli, carrots, and cabbage.
Double the Sauce – Great if you’re serving over noodles or want more glaze.

Serving Suggestions
• Over jasmine rice or brown rice
• On rice noodles or lo mein
• In lettuce wraps for a low-carb option
• With steamed or stir-fried veggies
• As a meal prep bowl with quinoa and roasted veggies

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezing:
• Freeze cooled beef in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months.

Reheating:
• Microwave: Heat in 60-second intervals, stirring between.
• Stovetop: Reheat over medium heat with a splash of water or broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use ground turkey or chicken?
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken works great as a leaner option.

2. Is this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and ensure your hoisin is gluten-free.

3. Can I skip the hoisin sauce?
Absolutely. Hoisin adds richness, but it’s optional.

4. What vegetables go well with this?
Try broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or baby corn.

5. Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Yes! It holds up well in the fridge and reheats beautifully.

Final Thoughts
This Mongolian Ground Beef recipe is the perfect blend of convenience and bold flavor. It’s a satisfying dish that delivers all the taste of takeout in an easy, weeknight-friendly format. Whether you serve it with rice, veggies, or wrap it in lettuce, you’re in for a crowd-pleasing meal every time.

Try it this week and enjoy a delicious skillet dinner in under 30 minutes! Don’t forget to leave a review and share your version online.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired / American Fusion

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 340 | Protein: 24g | Carbohydrates: 18g | Fat: 20g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Sodium: 620mg

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