Mongolian beef bowls give you that sticky, savory takeout sauce without slicing a single steak. Ground beef, ginger, garlic and a brown sugar soy glaze. Done in about 15 minutes. Perfect for weekly meal prep.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
This is a weeknight ground beef rice bowl made with lean ground beef seared until crispy, tossed in a glossy Mongolian beef sauce, and served over rice with broccoli and carrots. One pan, no marinating, no fancy cuts. It is darn easy, I make this weekly.
Browning is where the flavor lives. Make sure the beef gets super crispy before adding the sauce. If you love the classic sliced version, my Mongolian Beef is right here.
I love making a batch when I buy a massive Costco ground beef. My family loves it. My husband and I love adding sriracha for spice and a fried egg on top for more flovor and protein. It is so good!
Jump to:
How to make (VIDEO)
I love this skillet
Its a good starter if you dont want to invest in a really expensive stainless steel pan.
How to make (PICTURES)
- Step 1: Mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix the cornstarch slurry separately.
- Step 2: Press the ground beef into a hot skillet and let it sear for 3 minutes without stirring. Break it up and cook until browned and crispy in spots, about 5 to 6 minutes total.
- Step 3: Pour in the sauce, simmer 1 to 2 minutes, then stir in the slurry until glossy.
- Step 4: Spoon over rice with broccoli and finish with green onion tops and sesame seeds.
I make a large batch for meal prep
What to serve
- Garlic Fried Rice instead of plain rice
- Asian Cucumber Salad for something fresh and crunchy
- Easy 5 Minute Cilantro Lime Rice
- Crispy Green Beans in the Air Fryer
- Steamed broccoli
Similar recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Other recipes you need to check out
Hate ads?
Mongolian Beef Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl. Mix the cornstarch and water in another.¼ cup water or broth, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, press it into an even layer and sear without stirring for 3 minutes. Break it up and cook until browned and crispy in spots, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Drain excess fat if needed.1 pound lean ground beef
- Add the ginger, garlic and green onion whites. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.4 green onions, 2 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger
- Pour in the sauce and stir to coat. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.salt and pepper
- Stir the slurry, pour it in and cook for about 1 minute until the sauce is glossy and thick.
- Spoon over rice with broccoli. Finish with the green onion tops and sesame seeds.sesame seeds, 2 cups steamed rice, 2 cups broccoli, 1 cup carrots
Notes
- Don't stir the beef for the first 3 minutes so it builds a crust. Lean ground beef gives a cleaner glaze. Add the slurry last so the sauce doesn't go gummy.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @eatwithcarmen in all social platforms
Hi, I'm Carmen!
I'm the creator of Eat With Carmen, where I share Filipino and other Asian recipes I love and grew up eating, made simple for everyday cooking.
Thank you for being here xoxo.
Frequently Asked Questions for Mongolian Beef Bowls
What is Mongolian beef sauce made of? Mongolian beef sauce is a mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger, thickened with cornstarch. This version adds dark soy for color and sesame oil for a toasty finish.
Can I make Mongolian beef bowls with ground turkey? Yes, ground turkey works great. Add a teaspoon of oil to the pan since it's leaner, and cook it the same way.
Is Mongolian beef spicy? No, classic Mongolian beef is sweet and savory, not spicy. Add red pepper flakes or a spoon of chili crunch if you want heat.
How do I keep the sauce from getting gummy? Add the cornstarch slurry at the very end and cook it for just a minute. Stir the slurry right before you pour it in, because cornstarch settles fast.
Can I meal prep Mongolian beef bowls? Yes, they're one of the best ground beef meal prep bowls. Store the beef, rice and veggies separately and they'll keep for 4 days.
Is Mongolian beef actually from Mongolia? No, Mongolian beef is a Chinese-American restaurant dish. The name stuck, but it isn't a traditional Mongolian recipe.
Leave a Reply