Crispy Mongolian Beef
Crispy Mongolian Beef is a flavorful dish featuring tender flank steak strips coated in a crunchy cornstarch crust, then tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy soy-ginger sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, this recipe delivers bold umami flavors with a satisfying crispy finish, easy to prepare with common pantry ingredients and adaptable to various dietary preferences.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)
Beef
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1/2 cup)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup for low sugar)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds, finely chopped cilantro, extra red pepper flakes
- Prepare the Beef: Slice the flank steak into thin, even strips against the grain for maximum tenderness. Pat the beef dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the cornstarch will adhere properly.
- Coat in Cornstarch: Place the beef strips in a bowl and toss with cornstarch until each piece is evenly coated, creating the base for a crispy crust when fried.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) to create a balanced sweet and savory sauce.
- Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the beef strips in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan, until golden and crispy on the edges, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Combine and Cook the Sauce: Pour out excess oil from the pan, leaving a small amount for flavor. Add the prepared sauce to the pan and bring it to a simmer, allowing the sugar to dissolve and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Toss Beef in Sauce: Return the fried beef to the pan and toss gently to coat all pieces thoroughly with the sauce. Cook for an additional minute so the flavors blend perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly sliced green onions over the beef just before serving. Optionally, add toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, or extra red pepper flakes for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Dry your beef well before coating to ensure the cornstarch crisps properly.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to keep the oil temperature high and the beef crispy.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor impact.
- Adjust the brown sugar quantity gradually to balance sweetness according to taste.
- Serve immediately for optimal crispiness and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Mongolian beef, crispy beef, Asian beef recipe, easy dinner, soy ginger sauce, gluten free beef