Fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, this Mongolian Ground Beef recipe is your answer to a quick weeknight dinner with bold takeout-style flavor. Inspired by classic Mongolian beef but made with budget-friendly ground beef, this dish delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness—ready in just 20 minutes. Serve it over rice or noodles for a meal everyone will love.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep
Affordable – Uses simple pantry ingredients and ground beef
Bold Flavor – Sweet and savory sauce with ginger and garlic
Versatile – Great with rice, noodles, or lettuce wraps
Family-Friendly – Mild enough for kids, easy to spice up for adults
Ingredients You’ll Need
1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
1 tbsp vegetable oil (if beef is very lean)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for extra richness)
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ cup water
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
3 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
Cooked white rice, jasmine rice, or noodles (for serving)
Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Tools You’ll Need
Large skillet or wok
Wooden spoon or spatula
Small bowl (for mixing sauce)
Knife and cutting board
Grater or microplane (for fresh ginger)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin (if using), cornstarch, and water until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil if using, then ground beef.
Break the beef into small crumbles and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.
Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
Stir in the garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions.
Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Add the Sauce
Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir to coat the beef evenly.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Stir in the green parts of the green onions and red pepper flakes if using.
Serve hot over rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
Tips for the Best Mongolian Ground Beef
Use Lean Beef – Less grease means better sauce consistency
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch – It thickens the sauce to the perfect texture
Add Veggies – Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for extra nutrition
Make It Spicy – Add sriracha, more red pepper flakes, or chili paste
Double the Sauce – If serving with lots of rice or noodles, increase the sauce ingredients
Serving Suggestions
Steamed White or Jasmine Rice – The classic combo
Rice Noodles or Udon – For a takeout-style stir fry
Lettuce Wraps – Low-carb and fresh
Over Mashed Cauliflower – A healthy twist
With Stir-Fried Veggies – Add crunch and color
How to Store & Reheat
Store: Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days
Freeze: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey or chicken? Yes! Just reduce the oil since those meats are leaner
Is this recipe gluten-free? Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and check your hoisin label
Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely—it reheats beautifully and is perfect for meal prep
What if I don’t have hoisin sauce? You can skip it or substitute with extra soy sauce and a bit more sugar
Final Thoughts
This Mongolian Ground Beef is everything you want in a weeknight dinner—quick, full of flavor, and endlessly adaptable. It’s sweet, savory, garlicky, and just a little sticky in the best way. Perfect over rice or noodles and easily scaled up for a crowd, it’s bound to become one of your go-to comfort meals.
Try it out and share your version—tag your tasty creations online so we can see how you made it your own!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired / Fusion
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – serves 4):
Calories: 370 | Protein: 22g | Carbs: 18g | Fat: 23g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 680mg
Mongolian Ground Beef
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
Fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, this Mongolian Ground Beef recipe is your answer to a quick weeknight dinner with bold takeout-style flavor. Inspired by classic Mongolian beef but made with budget-friendly ground beef, this dish delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness—ready in just 20 minutes. Serve it over rice or noodles for a meal everyone will love.
Want more easy Asian-inspired dinners like this? Subscribe now and get fresh, delicious recipes delivered to your inbox!
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
1 tbsp vegetable oil (if beef is very lean)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for extra richness)
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ cup water
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
3 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
Cooked white rice, jasmine rice, or noodles (for serving)
Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sauce
a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin (if using), cornstarch, and water until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil if using, then ground beef.
Break the beef into small crumbles and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.
Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
Stir in the garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions.
Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Add the Sauce
Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir to coat the beef evenly.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Stir in the green parts of the green onions and red pepper flakes if using.
Serve hot over rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
Use Lean Beef – Less grease means better sauce consistency
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch – It thickens the sauce to the perfect texture
Add Veggies – Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for extra nutrition
Make It Spicy – Add sriracha, more red pepper flakes, or chili paste
Double the Sauce – If serving with lots of rice or noodles, increase the sauce ingredients
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired / Fusion
