Ground Mongolian Beef with a sweet and spicy sauce that is crispy and tender without having to buy steak and it’s done in 20 minutes.
Ground beef recipe are a go to for us during the week and aside from the popular Korean Ground Beef we’re a big fan of Mongolian Beef, our favorite takeout copycat food.
How to make Ground Mongolian Beef?
- I like to brown the beef really well and keep the crumbles on the larger side.
- I add the sesame seeds while cooking to get more of a toasted flavor from them.
- If you want even more of a classic Mongolian beef flavor add more green onions cooked down in addition to garnishing with them.
- Top with spicy mayo or make it into a burrito (coming tomorrow).
We have been making ground meat versions of our classic Asian food favorites like Ground Kung Pao Chicken (1 Pan!), Ground Orange Chicken (1 Pan!) in addition to the ground Korean beef.
Why make them with ground meat? Well for one it takes a third of the time. Secondly if you brown the beef/chicken really well it still tastes crispy. No deep frying is needed and it makes a great easy meal served over rice with some vegetables.
Want more Asian Food Recipes?
- Crispy Sesame Chicken
- Cheesecake Factory Mandarin Cashew Chicken
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Panda Express Recipes… every single one in fact: Panda Express Recipes Index
- Many more options…
Tools used in the making of this Ground Mongolian Beef:
Sesame Oil: The flavor of sesame oil in this dish is unmistakeable and not really able to be substituted. Some Asian grocery stores will try and sell less expensive options that aren’t actually sesame oil, so just be sure the one you’re buying is authentic sesame oil.
Mirin: A sweetened Asian wine, if you don’t use this use white wine with a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.
Recipe
Ground Mongolian Beef
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
- Author: Sabrina Snyder
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger , minced
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup lite soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
Instructions
Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
- Heat a large pan over medium high heat.
- Brown the meat really deeply with sesame oil.
- Once browned, drain most of the fat, then add the garlic and ginger.
- Add the mirin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes.
- Cook until the liquid has reabsorbed and the meat is shiny but not soupy.
- Top with green onions, toss together and serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 4 Servings, Amount per serving: 327 calories, Calories: 327g, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 963mg, Potassium: 518mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 160g, Vitamin C: 3.1g, Calcium: 54g, Iron: 3.5g
All images and text © for Dinner, then Dessert.
I made this dish tonight and it was delicious. My only comment would be that it says it’s a main dish but is only feeds 3 “regular size” eaters (me and teenage daughter) and husband would have loved seconds but there was only enough to make these 3 plates. I will double it next time now that I know my family loves it. And you’re right very inexpensive and easy and quick to make
I’m so glad you liked it and yes, it’s an easy and inexpensive recipe to double! Happy to hear it made the repeat list 🙂
This is no where near to being Mongolian or Chinese…. this is more Japanese in flavors, since the chinese done use Mirin
What a great recipe! Everyone in my home loved it. Thanks, Sabrina, for a great recipe.
You’re welcome! Thanks for the 5 stars.
Brilliant! I made this last night for my family and everyone devoured it. I love Mongolian beef but rarely make it because I don’t take the time to buy the proper cut of meat, etc. Using ground meat is such a great idea and I have to say that its very likely that I will only make it this way from now on. Thank you for this great recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it Lori!
Super easy to make and everyone loved it, I added some shemeji mushroom and it was just perfect! Thank you
I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
This was a big hit in my family!!!
Thanks for recipe
You’re welcome Sandy! Glad you all enjoyed it!
What a great dinner option! I love the beef in there!
Thanks Krista!
This looks and sounds incredible!! I can’t wait to try it!!
Thank you Katerina!
Love that you made this with ground beef. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Dee! I hope you enjoy it!
I made this dish last night, cutting it exactly in half, for my wife and I. I presented it on rice with steamed broccoli just as in the photo. It was very tasty and we both enjoyed it. Very quick recipe to make, Better have your sides ready when you start final steps!
So glad you both enjoyed it!
We loved this recipe. My hubby said to add this to our recipe list. Both of our kids loved it (ages 7 and 10). We put the meat over a rice bed and mixed it up.
It’s so awesome to know that the whole family loved it because I know how hard this can be at times! Love it!!
Love this idea for a more economical way to have Mongolian beef!
Thanks Amanda!
Bring on the beef! This looks so good!
Thank you Amy!