Description
A flavorful and quick Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry paired with tender ramen noodles. This Asian-inspired dish features thinly sliced flank steak coated in cornstarch, seared to crispy perfection, and tossed in a savory, sweet sauce made from soy, brown sugar, and ginger. Served with green onions and optional veggies, it’s a perfect weekday dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Sauce and Seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Noodles and Garnishes
- 2 packs instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
- Steamed broccoli or snap peas (optional, for serving)
Cooking Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the beef coating: In a medium bowl, toss the thinly sliced flank steak with cornstarch until it is well coated. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the coating to adhere properly, which will help achieve a crispy texture when cooked.
- Sear the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the cornstarch-coated beef and sear for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until browned and crispy. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Make the sauce: In the same pan, add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and stir in hoisin sauce and red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook the noodles: While the sauce simmers, cook the instant ramen noodles according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
- Combine beef, noodles, and sauce: Return the seared beef to the pan along with the drained ramen noodles. Toss everything together using tongs or a spatula until the beef and noodles are evenly coated with the savory sauce.
- Finish and garnish: Drizzle the sesame oil over the stir-fry and stir in sliced green onions. Remove from heat. Garnish the dish with sesame seeds and serve immediately with optional steamed broccoli or snap peas on the side for added color and nutrition.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari for soy sauce and use gluten-free ramen noodles.
- Add colorful vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to enhance nutrition and texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- Serve immediately for the best texture of noodles and crispy beef.
