30-Minute Mongolian Beef (2024)

FAQs

What cut of beef is Mongolian beef made from? ›

Flank Steak: This Easy Mongolian beef recipe uses flank steak. Sirloin can be used too but we always opt for Flank Steak. Both cuts are tender and will cook up quickly when thinly sliced.

Baking Soda – This is the KEY ingredient to super tender beef. Baking soda is commonly used in Chinese cooking to tenderize beef. It neutralizes acid and raises the pH level, which causes the meat to become more alkaline.

In 1950s Taiwan, a dish called Mongolian BBQ became hugely popular. It drew on the stereotypes of the time that Mongolian cuisine was lavish, foreign, and packed with meat. It became common to call this style of meaty stir fry "Mongolian," and eventually, Mongolian beef has become a famous dish in America, too.

The best meat to use instead of flank steak is skirt steak, flat iron steak, flap (sirloin tip) steak, tri-tip steak, and hanger steak (in that order). Each has its differences, but all do well being marinated and cooked over high heat, like flank steak.

Hunan beef also packs in some heat in the form of chili peppers, but it's not a numbing heat whatsoever and I like to think of it as the milder cousin to Szeuchuan beef. What's the difference between Hunan beef vs Mongolian beef? Another favorite beef recipe of mine, Mongolian beef is much sweeter than Hunan beef.

In Chinese cooking, proteins like beef, pork or chicken are velveted first before stir-frying them. There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts.

This is how to tenderise beef with a Chinese restaurant method called “velveting beef”. Also used for chicken, it's a simple, highly effective technique using baking soda that transforms economical beef so it's incredibly tender in stir fries and stir fried noodles.

Baking Soda is an Easy Meat Tenderizer

Baking soda helps prevent ground beef from drying out, allowing those burger patties to keep their moisture and brown quicker for the most flavorful cookout. Not to mention, baking soda is the ideal ingredient for getting the most out of your Thanksgiving bird.

Always slice the beef against the grain. Make sure to toss the beef with cornstarch before cooking and let it sit for 5 minutes before searing. This is known as velveting and you'll end up with very tender and cripsy meat. Do not use flour, the results will not be the same.

Szechuan Beef vs Mongolian Beef

Szechuan Beef has a sweet and spicy flavor with added chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns. The Szechuan peppercorns has a distinctive tingly numbing sensation when eaten. Mongolian beef has a mild and much simpler taste, making it a kids' favorite, outside of broccoli beef.

Is there another name for Mongolian beef? ›

Stir-Fried Spicy Beef (Previously: Mongolian Beef)

Sliced beef marinated in soy and then stir-fried with peppers and onions.

This dish is commonly served with a side steamed rice. We usually like to serve ours over a bed of steamed rice so some of the sauce absorbs into the rice. It's so good! We also love serving this dish with garlic noodles, chow mein and a side of lightly roasted green beans.

But there's another secret that will improve both the flavor and the texture of your proteins: proper marinating. When done right, a marinade is more than just a flavoring agent. It can help tenderize meat and alter its proteins so that it retains more moisture.

Storage and reheating

Leftover Mongolian beef can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply sauté in a pan over medium heat with a small amount of water until hot.

Chinese restaurants typically use flank steak, an affordable cut with great flavor. The steak should be cut thinly against the grain. Each slice should be about one-eighth of an inch thick, since thinner slices have more surface area for the marinade.

Szechuan Beef vs Mongolian Beef

Szechuan Beef has a sweet and spicy flavor with added chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns. The Szechuan peppercorns has a distinctive tingly numbing sensation when eaten. Mongolian beef has a mild and much simpler taste, making it a kids' favorite, outside of broccoli beef.

Kung Pao is made with a spicier (and sweeter) sauce compared to Mongolian Beef, which is mainly just sweet. Kung Pao also usually contains peanuts, peppers, and onions. Beijing Beef is similar to Mongolian Beef but tends to be sweeter and is usually made with stir fried veggies.