Authentic Mongolian Ground Beef Recipe You Can Make At Home

There’s something utterly satisfying about the rich, savory-sweet taste of Mongolian beef. Traditionally made with sliced flank steak, this popular dish has been reimagined using ground beef, making it more accessible, affordable, and just as delicious. This Mongolian ground beef recipe brings all the authentic flavors you love but in a format that’s quicker to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.

The beauty of this dish lies in its perfect balance of flavors – the umami depth from soy sauce, the subtle sweetness from brown sugar, and the gentle heat from garlic and ginger. When these elements come together, they create a sauce that’s simply irresistible, clinging to every morsel of ground beef.

The History Behind Mongolian Beef

Despite its name, Mongolian ground beef (and Mongolian beef in general) doesn’t actually originate from Mongolia. The dish as we know it today was created in Taiwan and later popularized in American Chinese restaurants. Traditional Mongolian cuisine typically features very little spice and relies heavily on meat and dairy, quite different from the sauce-laden dish we’ve come to love.

The name likely comes from the cooking method that resembles Mongolian barbecue, where ingredients are quickly cooked over high heat. This technique gives our Mongolian ground beef recipe its characteristic caramelized flavor and tender texture, even though we’re using ground beef instead of sliced steak.

Why Ground Beef Works Perfectly

While traditional Mongolian beef uses thinly sliced flank steak, substituting ground beef offers several advantages:

1. Cost-effective: Ground beef is typically more affordable than flank steak.
2. Time-saving: No need to slice meat thinly or worry about cutting against the grain.
3. Even flavor distribution: The sauce penetrates and coats every bit of ground beef.
4. Family-friendly texture: Many kids (and adults too!) prefer the texture of ground meat.

This easy Mongolian ground beef recipe maintains all the bold flavors you’d expect while simplifying the preparation process significantly.

Ingredients for Authentic Mongolian Ground Beef

Serves 4-6

For the beef:

• 1½ pounds lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• ½ cup green onions, sliced (white parts for cooking, green parts for garnish)
• Optional: 1 small onion, finely diced

For the sauce:

• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or chili sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water

For serving:

• Steamed rice
• Steamed broccoli or mixed vegetables
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Remaining sliced green onions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Sauce

1. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, and sesame oil.
2. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Set aside while you prepare the beef.

Cooking the Mongolian Ground Beef

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. In a heated pan, add the ground beef. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned.
3. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.
4. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the green onions (and diced onion if using). Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked beef and bring to a simmer.
6. Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir (it may have settled) and slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly.
7. Continue cooking, stirring often, for another 2 to 3 minutes. The sauce should thicken and nicely coat the beef.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Serving Your Mongolian Ground Beef

Move the cooked Mongolian ground beef to a serving plate. Top with the saved green onion pieces and a dash of toasted sesame seeds. Serve right away with steamed rice and your preferred vegetables, such as broccoli.

The sauce in this recipe is abundant and flavorful – perfect for drizzling over rice and vegetables. Many people even double the sauce portion of the recipe because it’s just that good!

Tips for the Perfect Mongolian Ground Beef

Meat Selection

For the best Mongolian ground beef recipe results, choose lean ground beef (85-90% lean). This provides enough fat for flavor without making the dish greasy. If you use extra-lean beef, you might want to add an extra tablespoon of oil when cooking to keep it tender.

Sauce Consistency

The cornstarch slurry is key to achieving that perfect, glossy sauce that clings to the meat. If your sauce seems too thin after adding the slurry, you can mix a bit more cornstarch with cold water and add it gradually. Conversely, if it becomes too thick, thin it with a splash of water or beef broth.

Heat Level

This easy Mongolian ground beef recipe is designed to have a mild to medium heat level that’s family-friendly. Feel free to adjust the sriracha or add crushed red pepper flakes to increase the spiciness if desired.

Make-Ahead Options

The sauce can be mixed a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. You can also cook the entire dish in advance and reheat it gently on the stovetop or microwave, though you may need to add a splash of water when reheating as the sauce tends to thicken when cooled.

Variations to Try

Mongolian Ground Beef and Broccoli

Add 2 cups of blanched broccoli florets to the pan after the sauce has thickened. Toss the broccoli in the sauce to ensure it’s fully coated. Heat through gently for approximately one to two minutes.

Spicy Mongolian Ground Beef

Double the sriracha and add 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic and ginger for an extra kick of heat.

Mongolian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

For a lower-carb option, serve the Mongolian ground beef in crisp lettuce leaves instead of over rice. Either butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce is suitable for this recipe.

Vegetable-Packed Version

Add 1 cup of julienned carrots, sliced bell peppers, or snow peas along with the aromatics for a more vegetable-forward dish.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of this Mongolian ground beef recipe (approximately 1 cup, not including rice) contains:

• Calories: Approximately 320
• Protein: 23g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fat: 18g
• Sodium: 680mg

Values may vary depending on the specific brands and exact quantities used.

Common Questions About Mongolian Ground Beef

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives work well with this recipe. Just be aware that these alternatives may need a bit more oil when cooking to prevent dryness.

How spicy is this dish?

As written, this Mongolian ground beef recipe has a mild to medium heat level. You can easily adjust by increasing or decreasing the sriracha sauce.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and ensure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free (or make your own).

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover Mongolian ground beef can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Freezing is suitable for up to 3 months. For thawing, refrigerate overnight prior to reheating.

Why This Mongolian Ground Beef Recipe Stands Out

What makes this particular Mongolian ground beef recipe special is its perfect balance of authenticity and accessibility. We’ve stayed true to the flavor profile that makes Mongolian beef so beloved while adapting it to work wonderfully with ground beef.

The sauce achieves that restaurant-quality taste that’s often difficult to replicate at home—not too sweet, not too salty, with just the right amount of depth and complexity. By using fresh garlic and ginger rather than powdered versions, we ensure the dish has those bright, aromatic notes that are essential to authentic Asian cooking.

Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a cooking enthusiast wanting to explore Asian flavors, this easy Mongolian ground beef recipe delivers satisfaction in every bite. It transforms humble ground beef into something truly special that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Final Thoughts

This Mongolian ground beef recipe is proof that authentic Asian flavors don’t require special ingredients or advanced cooking techniques. With pantry staples and ground beef, you can create a meal that rivals your favorite takeout in both flavor and freshness, but at a fraction of the cost.

As you become comfortable with this recipe, don’t be afraid to make it your own. Adjust the sweetness, spice level, or add vegetables based on your family’s preferences. The versatility of this dish is part of what makes it so wonderful.

So the next time you’re staring at a package of ground beef wondering what to make for dinner, remember this Mongolian ground beef recipe. Quick enough for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for company, it’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation.

Additional Resources

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Authentic Yoshinoya Beef Bowl Recipe with Thin Sliced Beef

Mongolian beef