Delicious Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef: A Restaurant-Quality Asian Dish at Home

Every time I walk into my kitchen, I’m reminded of the magic that happens. Simple ingredients can turn into something amazing. My slow cooker mongolian beef recipe is a perfect example of this magic.

Growing up, I thought making authentic Asian dishes was only for professional chefs. But my crockpot mongolian beef recipe proves that’s not true. With just a few ingredients and your slow cooker, you can make a delicious meal that everyone will love.

This easy mongolian beef recipe is more than just a meal. It’s a journey of flavors that brings the warmth of Asian cuisine to your table. Tender flank steak, in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce, makes it a dining experience like your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Key Takeaways

• Create restaurant-quality Mongolian beef at home with minimal effort
• Perfect for busy home cooks looking for delicious, easy meals
• Requires simple ingredients and a slow cooker
• Authentic Asian flavors without complex cooking techniques
• Versatile recipe that can be customized to personal taste

Introduction to Traditional Mongolian Beef

I’ve explored the world of Mongolian beef, a dish loved by many in America. My adventure started with learning about its origins and how it became popular in the U.S.

Origins of Mongolian Beef in Taiwan

Mongolian beef didn’t come from Mongolia. It was born in Taiwan in the mid-20th century. Taiwanese chefs created a dish that would soon be a favorite in Chinese-American restaurants.

Why This Dish Became Popular in American Cuisine

Mongolian beef became a hit for good reasons. Here are a few:

• Sweet and savory sauce profile
• Tender, thinly sliced beef
• Quick and easy preparation
• Adaptability to American palates

Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker Method

Using a slow cooker for mongolian beef slow cooked has many benefits. It ensures:

1. Ultra-tender meat texture
2. Enhanced flavor infusion
3. Minimal hands-on cooking time
4. Convenient meal preparation

With this method, making restaurant-quality dishes at home is easy and stress-free.

Essential Ingredients for Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

To make a delicious Mongolian beef stew, you need the right ingredients. These ingredients add bold flavors to your slow cooker dish. Let’s explore the key elements that make your meal special.

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Craving restaurant-quality Mongolian Beef? Try our Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef recipe! Tender, flavorful, and ready in 2.10 hours. Perfect for busy weeknights!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Chinese-Inspired

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
• Mixing Bowl (For sauce preparation)
• Cutting Board & Knife (For slicing beef and chopping garnishes)
• Tongs (For mixing and serving)
• Measuring Cups & Spoons (For accurate ingredient portioning)

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs flank steak sliced thinly against the grain
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup brown sugar or honey
• ½ cup beef broth
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for spice
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce optional for richer flavor
• ½ cup green onions sliced, for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

 

Prepare the Beef:

• Slice the flank steak into thin strips against the grain.
• Toss the beef in ¼ cup cornstarch until fully coated.

Prepare the Sauce:

• In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and hoisin sauce.

Assemble in the Slow Cooker:

• Place the coated beef into the slow cooker.
• Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and stir to coat evenly.

Cook the Beef:

• Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours until the beef is tender.
• Thicken the Sauce (Optional):
• If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry.
• Stir it into the slow cooker and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Garnish and Serve:

• Stir in sliced green onions and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~350 kcal
• Protein: ~25g
• Carbohydrates: ~35g
• Fat: ~12g
• Sodium: ~900mg
• Sugar: ~18g

Keyword Asian beef recipe, easy crockpot meal, healthy beef dish, low-carb beef recipe, Meal prep, Mongolian beef, slow cooker beef

For the best Mongolian beef, start with top-notch ingredients. Here are the must-haves:

• Meat Selection: 1.5 pounds of thinly sliced flank steak (cut 1/4 inch thick)
• Cornstarch for coating: 1/4 cup
• Aromatics: 3-4 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons fresh minced ginger
• Sauce ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup water

Want to make your slow cooker Mongolian beef even better? Add these extras:

• 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce (for heat)
• 1 cup shredded carrots (optional)
• 4-6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Pro tip: The taste of your Mongolian beef depends on the ingredients. Use fresh garlic, quality soy sauce, and thin flank steak for that restaurant flavor at home.

Preparing Your Flank Steak for Perfect Results

Starting with the right meat is key to making a tasty slow cooker Mongolian beef dish. Flank steak is my top pick. It’s tender and full of flavor, making it a hit with everyone.

Slicing Against the Grain: The Key to Tender Meat

Getting the meat right is important for your slow cooker Mongolian beef stew. Look for the lines in the flank steak. These lines are the meat’s grain. You want to cut perpendicular to these lines to make the meat tender.

• Use a sharp knife for clean cuts
• Slice meat into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick)
• Cut against the grain at a 90-degree angle

Cornstarch Coating Technique

For a gluten-free slow cooker Mongolian beef recipe, cornstarch is essential. It makes the meat crispy and helps the sauce stick. Coat your flank steak with 1/4 cup of cornstarch, making sure each piece is well covered.

Alternative Beef Options

While flank steak is perfect, you can try other cuts for Mongolian beef:

1. Sirloin tip
2. Skirt steak
3. Ribeye
4. Chuck roast (requires longer cooking time)

Pro tip: Always slice against the grain, no matter the cut. It makes your slow cooker Mongolian beef dish tender.

The Perfect Mongolian Sauce Components

Making a great Mongolian beef recipe starts with the sauce. My slow cooker method uses a mix of ingredients to make the meat taste like it’s from a restaurant.

The best sauce for slow cooker Mongolian beef has a few key parts:

• Soy Sauce: 1/2 cup of low sodium soy sauce adds depth and umami
• Brown Sugar: 1/3 cup for sweetness
• Minced garlic: 1 teaspoon for a strong aroma
• Minced ginger: 1 teaspoon for a warm touch
• Water: 1/2 cup to mix the ingredients

My recipe also includes Sriracha sauce for a spicy kick. Start with 1-2 teaspoons and adjust to your liking. The goal is to balance sweet, salty, and spicy.

Pro tip: Whisk all sauce ingredients well before adding to your slow cooker. This ensures flavors are evenly spread, making the sauce glossy and irresistible.

For the best taste, let the sauce simmer with the meat. This way, the flavors blend together perfectly. The result is a dish that’s as good as any restaurant’s.

Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe

Making slow cooker Mongolian beef at home is all about preparation and detail. I’ll guide you through making this tasty Chinese dish. It turns simple ingredients into a meal fit for a restaurant.

Initial Preparation Steps

To start your slow cooker Mongolian beef, prep your ingredients well. First, slice 1.5 pounds of flank steak into thin pieces. This makes the meat tender and easy to chew.

• Slice flank steak against the grain
• Coat meat with 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Mince 3-4 garlic cloves
• Prepare 2 teaspoons of fresh minced ginger

Slow Cooker Settings and Timing

There are two ways to cook Mongolian beef in a slow cooker. Cooking on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours works best. This keeps the meat moist and tender.

Adding Final Ingredients

Add your sauce ingredients in the last 30 minutes. Mix 3/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha. This gives a sweet and spicy flavor.

• Stir in 1/2 cup green onions
• Garnish with sesame seeds
• Let rest for 10 minutes before serving

Your slow cooker Mongolian beef is now ready. It’s a true Chinese dish that brings restaurant flavors to your home!

Tips for Achieving Restaurant-Style Results

Want to make your slow cooker Mongolian beef taste like it’s from a restaurant? I’ve got the secrets to take your dish from great to amazing.

Knowing how long slow cooker beef lasts is key for safety and taste. Leftover Mongolian beef can stay in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you reheat it, use low heat to keep the meat soft.

• Slice the flank steak thinly: Cut it to 1/4-inch thick against the grain for the best tenderness
• Use the right amount of cornstarch: 1.5 pounds steak to 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Be careful with cooking times to avoid overcooking:
  • HIGH setting: 2-3 hours
  • LOW setting: 4-5 hours

Mongolian beef is special because of its sweet and savory flavors. To get this right, focus on your sauce. Use a 1:1.5 ratio of low sodium soy sauce to all liquids.

Pro tip: Yes, you can overcook slow cooker beef stew! Keep an eye on the time. Overcooking makes the steak tough and dry. Take it out of the slow cooker when it’s just right.

• Garnish with fresh green onions for extra flavor
• Let the meat rest for 10 minutes after cooking
• Adjust spice levels with Sriracha or red pepper flakes

With these expert tips, your homemade Mongolian beef will impress everyone. It’ll be a dish that wows your family and friends.

Nutritional Information and Health Benefits

Exploring Mongolian food, we find Mongolian beef as a nutritious, protein-rich dish. Knowing its nutritional profile helps you make better food choices while enjoying a tasty meal.

Protein Content and Nutritional Breakdown

Does Mongolian beef have protein? Yes, it does! It’s packed with 30 grams of protein per serving. The lean flank steak is a top-notch protein source, great for muscle health and amino acids.

Dietary Considerations

While Mongolian beef is nutritious, some dietary points are worth noting:

• The sodium content is relatively high at 629 mg per serving
• Sugar content reaches 14 g per serving
• Contains moderate cholesterol at 81 mg

To make it healthier, pair it with lots of veggies and use low-sodium soy sauce. The iron and potassium in it add extra nutritional value to this delicious dish.

Serving Suggestions and Side Dish Pairings

My easy slow cooker Mongolian beef is best with the right sides. Its rich flavors need sides that match its depth and texture.

Classic rice is a top choice for this dish. Here are some great side dish options:

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Brown rice
• Cauliflower rice (for low-carb alternatives)

Vegetable sides can make your meal healthier and add color. Try these tasty options:

• Roasted broccoli
• Stir-fried asparagus
• Sautéed green beans
• Crispy bok choy

Here’s a quick guide to picking the best sides:

Remember, feel free to try new sides. Each one adds something special to your slow cooker Mongolian beef.

Conclusion

Exploring slow cooker Mongolian beef has been exciting. This easy recipe can change your home cooking. It makes restaurant-quality meals with little effort.

This recipe is versatile. With 1.5 pounds of flank steak and a few ingredients, it serves six. It’s quick, taking less than 2.5 hours, and healthy, with 30 grams of protein and 330 calories per serving.

It’s great for busy cooks or food lovers. Pair it with steamed rice and a green veggie for a meal that beats takeout. Feel free to tweak the recipe and make it your own.

Great cooking is about passion, creativity, and enjoying the journey. This dish shows you can make delicious meals easily in your kitchen.