Easy Sticky Crispy Mongolian Beef

User Reviews

4.7

267 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    25 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    295 kcal

Easy Sticky Crispy Mongolian Beef

Thinly sliced flank steak is coated with cornstarch and pan-fried to develop a crispy crust before being tossed in a sticky sauce made from soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili paste. The dish balances sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, enhanced by green onions, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Its crispy-coated beef pieces deliver a satisfying texture contrast, making it ideal for serving over white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. The recipe includes tips for reheating to maintain crispness.

Description

Easy Sticky Crispy Mongolian Beef features thin pieces of flank steak dusted with cornstarch and quickly pan-fried until a brown, crispy crust forms. A sauce simmered from soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, fresh ginger, garlic, and a chili element is combined with the crispy beef, creating a balance of sweetness, umami, and a gentle heat. The addition of sesame oil and sesame seeds adds a toasty note, while green onion greens contribute a fresh finish.

The beef's crispy crust contrasts with its tender interior, and the reduced sauce clings nicely, coating each bite. Cooking the beef in batches ensures even crispiness without crowding the pan. The flavor melds with the ingredients to create a dish that pairs well with steamed white rice, which absorbs the sticky sauce effectively.

For best results when reheating leftovers, using an oven or air fryer helps regain the crisp texture instead of a microwave. The recipe suggests tossing the beef in salt, pepper, and cornstarch before cooking, and using low sodium soy sauce to keep saltiness balanced. Slightly freezing the beef before slicing aids in clean cuts. These practical tips assist in achieving the intended texture and flavor.

I Made This!

Be the first!

Save this

Be the first!

Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 pound flank steak sliced thinly and cut into bite sized pieces
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup soy sauce low sodium
  • ¼ cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 tsp ginger freshly grated
  • 4 garlic minced, cloves
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 green onions green parts only, chopped
  • 1 tsp sambal oelek or sriracha, harissa, or chili garlic sauce; or 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • sesame seeds for garnish
  • white rice to serve

Instructions

  1. In a medium sized bowl, toss the beef slices in salt, pepper and cornstarch. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, chicken broth, half the ginger and garlic, and simmer over medium heat until reduced by ¼, about 15 minutes.
  3. In a large skillet, wok, or saute pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat and place steak pieces in one layer in batches. Cook for 2 minutes on one side then another minute on the other, the beef should have a brown crispy crust on each piece. Using an Asian spider, scoop each batch up onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  4. After all batches are done, discard the excess oil from the wok, leaving about 2 tbsp of oil or so in the pan. Add the rest of the garlic and ginger, half of the green scallions, the sambal oelek (or red pepper flakes or sriracha), into the oil and stir. Let that sizzle for about 2 minutes, until fragrant.
  5. Add our soy sauce mixture into the wok with sesame oil and let the sauce reduce more for 5 minutes over medium heat stirring occasionally. Once reduced into a sticky sauce, add the sesame oil and toss the beef in. Cook for another minute to coat them.
  6. Toss in sesame seeds and the reserved sliced green onion then serve immediately with white rice and vegetables, if desired.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in an oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness instead of microwaving.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce to avoid excessive saltiness in the sauce.
  • Freezing the beef for about 10 minutes before slicing helps get clean, uniform pieces.
  • This dish can be cooked in a wok or a large frying pan with similar results.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1g Calories 295kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 68mg (23%) Sodium 2349mg (98%) Potassium 507mg (11%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 63IU (1%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 53mg (5%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 295 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 295kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 2349mg 98%
Potassium 507mg 11%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 63IU 1%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 53mg 5%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.7

267 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

American, Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (9 reviews)

Singapore Noodles

Chinese, Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (3 reviews)

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (3 reviews)

Shrimp in Lobster Sauce

Chinese, Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (18 reviews)

Savory Beef Lo Mein

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (27 reviews)

Take-Out Chicken Fried Rice

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (18 reviews)

Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (9 reviews)

Bang Bang Chicken

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (27 reviews)

Takeout Beef Fried Rice

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (3 reviews)

Takeout Sesame Chicken

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (12 reviews)

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (15 reviews)

Takeout Shrimp Fried Rice

Chinese-American Fussion
5.0 (12 reviews)