Name: Mongolian Ground Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 tbsp vegetable oil (if needed); 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger); ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat); ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 3 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp hoisin sauce; 1 tbsp cornstarch; ½ cup water; 1 tsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar); 1 tsp sesame oil; 3 green onions, sliced; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; Steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice; Steamed broccoli or snap peas (optional)

Description

If you’re looking for a fast, flavorful, and budget-friendly dinner, this Mongolian Ground Beef recipe checks every box. Inspired by the popular Mongolian beef dish, this version uses ground beef to deliver the same sweet, savory, and garlicky flavor in a fraction of the time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you just want something seriously satisfying with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Mixture:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 tbsp vegetable oil (if needed)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For the Mongolian Sauce:

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ cup water
1 tsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tsp sesame oil

For Garnish & Serving:

3 green onions, sliced
1 tbsp sesame seeds
Steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice
Steamed broccoli or snap peas (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, water, vinegar, and sesame oil.
Set aside so it’s ready to go once the beef is browned.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef (and oil if using lean beef) and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully browned—about 5–7 minutes.
Drain any excess fat if needed.

Step 3: Add Aromatics
Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes to the cooked beef.
Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Simmer in Sauce
Pour the prepared Mongolian sauce into the skillet with the beef.
Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and stir in sliced green onions.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot over rice with steamed veggies on the side.

Notes

Use Lean Beef – Less grease and cleaner flavor without needing to drain too much fat.
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch – It thickens the sauce and gives it that classic glossy finish.
Customize the Heat – Adjust red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
Double the Sauce – If you like extra saucy dishes, feel free to increase the sauce ingredients.
Use Fresh Aromatics – Fresh garlic and ginger elevate the flavor far above powdered versions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion