Mongolian Beef
Glossy, sweet-savory Mongolian beef with seared flank steak and broccoli, made with half the sugar of the restaurant version and none of the deep fry. A light cornstarch dusting gives the beef that signature velvet edge and thickens the sauce as it goes. Better than the place on the corner, honestly.
Method
-
Toss the sliced beef with the cornstarch until lightly coated all over. Shake off the excess.
💡 Tip: A dusting, not a batter. Shake off what does not cling. -
Sear the beef in the oil in a very hot pan in two batches, about 90 seconds per batch, until browned at the edges. Remove.
💡 Tip: Ninety seconds. It finishes in the sauce, and overcooked flank is chewy flank. -
Add the broccoli with a splash of water and cook 3 minutes until bright and crisp-tender. Add the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds.
-
Pour in the soy, honey, water, and red pepper flakes and bring to a bubble. Return the beef and toss until the sauce turns glossy and clings, about a minute. Fold in the scallion batons and serve.
💡 Tip: The cornstarch on the beef thickens the sauce on contact. If it tightens too much, loosen with a splash of water.
Notes
Slice the flank thin and against the grain, this cut is tender or chewy purely based on your knife work.
The cornstarch dusting crisps the edges of the beef and thickens the sauce, no separate slurry needed.
Restaurant Mongolian beef can carry a quarter cup of sugar. Two tablespoons of honey across four servings does the job here.
Nutrition is for the beef and broccoli. Add rice separately.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 322kcal |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Protein | 34g |
Get Our FREE “Food Made Simple” Cookbook
Enjoy simple, balanced meals that make eating healthy feel effortless. Sign up below to receive 24 easy, dietitian-approved recipes straight to your inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut should I use?
Flank is traditional, sirloin and skirt both work. Whatever you choose, slice it thin and against the grain, that single technique matters more than the cut.
How is this lighter than restaurant Mongolian beef?
Three ways: the beef is seared rather than deep-fried, the sauce uses half the sugar, and broccoli makes up real volume on the plate. The flavor profile, dark, glossy, sweet-savory, is unchanged.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else is naturally gluten-free, cornstarch included.
More Than Just Recipes
Get Personalized Nutrition Coaching
Love this recipe? Imagine having complete nutrition guidance tailored to your goals, plus 1-on-1 coaching to keep you on track.
- 1-on-1 support from certified nutrition coaches who guide you every step
- Custom macro targets based on your goals, preferences, and lifestyle
- Track your progress with our app and see sustainable, long-term success
Try 2 Weeks Free
Start your journey with expert coaching. Free for 2 weeks. No credit card required.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this recipe!
Leave a Review
Made This Recipe?
Share it with 500K+ members in our Facebook community!
