Tantalizing Mongolian Beef And Noodles Recipe

Savory Mongolian Beef and Noodles Recipe: A Speedy Dinner Gem

Weeknight dinners demand quick, flavorful solutions that satisfy deep cravings for mongolian beef and noodles.

Tender strips of beef sizzle in a savory sauce, promising a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Home cooks can master this classic Asian-inspired dish with simple ingredients and easy techniques.

Umami-packed flavors burst through each bite, combining sweet, salty, and spicy notes.

The rich sauce clings perfectly to silky noodles, creating a harmonious balance of textures.

Minimal prep work means you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to be amazed by the incredible depth of flavor in this simple yet spectacular dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes In Mongolian Beef And Noodles

For Meat Base:
  • Flank Steak: Lean, tender cut perfect for quick stir-frying, choose fresh meat with minimal fat marbling for best texture.
  • Cornstarch: Creates crispy exterior and helps seal in beef juices, ensuring tender meat with delightful crunch.
For Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Delivers rich umami depth and authentic Asian-inspired taste, select naturally fermented varieties.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances savory elements with subtle sweetness, adds gorgeous caramelization to sauce.
  • Beef Broth: Intensifies meat flavor and helps create silky sauce consistency.
  • Rice Vinegar: Provides bright, tangy undertone that cuts through richness.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Foundational aromatics that build complex flavor profile, use fresh for maximum punch.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and warming sensation.
For Finishing and Garnish:
  • Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor and vibrant color contrast.
  • Sesame Seeds: Brings nutty crunch and visual appeal.
  • Vegetable Oil: Enables high-heat cooking and prevents sticking.
  • Noodles: Provides hearty base that absorbs delicious sauce perfectly.

Tools To Use For Mongolian Beef And Noodles

  • Large skillet or wok: Essential for searing beef and cooking sauce with high, even heat.
  • Sharp knife: Perfect for slicing flank steak into thin, uniform strips.
  • Cutting board: Provides sturdy surface for meat preparation.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately portion sauce ingredients.
  • Measuring cups: Ensures precise liquid measurements.
  • Tongs: Great for flipping and moving beef during cooking.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Ideal for stirring sauce and combining ingredients.

How To Cook Mongolian Beef And Noodles

  • Slice and Coat Beef

Grab your flank steak and cut it into super thin strips. Dust the meat with cornstarch, making sure each piece gets a nice, even coating. Let the beef sit and soak up the cornstarch for a few minutes.

  • Crisp Up the Meat

Fire up a skillet with some oil until it’s sizzling hot. Spread out the beef pieces so they’re not crowding each other. Cook until the edges turn golden and crispy, flipping once to ensure even browning. Pull the beef out and set aside.

  • Whip Up the Sauce

In the same pan, quickly sauté garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until they’re super fragrant. Pour in your sauce ingredients, stirring and letting everything bubble and thicken for a couple of minutes.

  • Bring It All Together

Slide the crispy beef back into the pan, coating it generously with the sauce. Toss in your cooked noodles and chopped green onions, mixing everything until it’s heated through and looking delicious.

  • Plate and Devour

Sprinkle some extra green onions and sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately and enjoy your restaurant-quality meal right at home!

Flavor Tips For Mongolian Beef And Noodles

  • Beef Coating Magic: Cornstarch is the secret weapon for creating that crispy, restaurant-style exterior on your beef slices. Let the beef sit after coating to help the cornstarch fully adhere and create a perfect golden crunch.
  • Spice Control Center: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference. Start with a small pinch for mild warmth, or go bold with a generous sprinkle for serious spice lovers who crave that extra kick.
  • Noodle Swap Strategies: Experiment with different noodle types like rice noodles for gluten-free options, whole wheat noodles for added nutrition, or even spiralized vegetable noodles for a low-carb twist on the classic recipe.
  • Meal Prep Champion: This dish handles freezing beautifully. Store sauce and beef separately in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and quickly reheat for a speedy weeknight dinner that tastes freshly made.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Replace beef with firm tofu or seitan, using the same cornstarch coating technique. Mushrooms like portobello or oyster also make fantastic protein substitutes that absorb the rich, savory sauce perfectly.

Fun Serving Ideas For Mongolian Beef And Noodles

  • Family Feast Night: Perfect for a cozy dinner where everyone gathers around and enjoys this restaurant-style meal together, creating delicious memories with each bite.
  • Asian Dinner Party Centerpiece: Impress friends with this restaurant-quality dish that looks sophisticated but comes together quickly, making you seem like a culinary expert.
  • Quick Weeknight Meal Upgrade: Transform a busy evening into a gourmet experience without spending hours in the kitchen, delivering bold flavors in under 30 minutes.
  • Leftover Makeover Magic: Use remaining beef and noodles for next day's lunch, adding fresh herbs or extra vegetables to create a completely new meal experience.

How To Store Mongolian Beef And Noodles

  • Quick Chill Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers, cooling completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal texture and flavor integrity.
  • Fridge Freshness Window: Enjoy meal within 3-4 days, keeping sealed containers in the coldest section of refrigerator for best taste preservation.
  • Freezer Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months when sealed tightly, ensuring sauce doesn't separate during storage.
  • Reheating Magic Trick: Warm gently in skillet with splash of broth or water to revive noodles' moisture, preventing dryness and maintaining original delicious taste profile.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Tantalizing Mongolian Beef And Noodles Recipe

Tantalizing Mongolian Beef And Noodles Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory mongolian beef and noodles bring classic Asian flavors to your dinner table with tender meat and silky noodles. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a restaurant-quality meal you can easily enjoy at home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) flank steak or sirloin (thinly sliced against the grain)
  • 8 oz (226 g) lo mein, udon, or spaghetti noodles
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup beef broth or water
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tbsps vegetable oil
  • ½ cup green onions (sliced)
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Slice flank steak into ultra-thin strips, thoroughly coat with cornstarch, and let rest for flavor absorption.
  2. Searing Stage: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet at medium-high temperature. Create a single layer of beef strips, searing each side until golden and crispy. Remove caramelized meat to a separate plate.
  3. Aromatic Infusion: In the same pan with residual oil, quickly toast minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until their fragrance intensifies and releases complex flavor profiles.
  4. Sauce Dynamics: Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar. Simmer the mixture until it transforms into a glossy, slightly thickened sauce with deep, rich undertones.
  5. Final Assembly: Reintroduce seared beef into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Add pre-cooked noodles and chopped green onions, stirring until everything reaches a uniform, steaming temperature.
  6. Presentation: Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for maximum flavor and textural experience.

Notes

  • Slice with Precision: Cut flank steak against the grain into ultra-thin, uniform strips to ensure tender, quick-cooking meat that won’t become tough or chewy.
  • Cornstarch Coating Technique: Pat beef dry before dusting with cornstarch to create a crispy exterior that seals in moisture and prevents soggy meat during stir-frying.
  • High-Heat Searing Strategy: Use a smoking-hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve that restaurant-style golden crust, which locks in flavor and creates textural contrast.
  • Sauce Balance Mastery: Adjust sauce sweetness and saltiness to personal taste by gradually adding brown sugar or soy sauce, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile that doesn’t overwhelm the beef’s natural richness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mongolian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 590 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star