Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe
Introduction
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a flavorful and tender dish that makes weeknight dinners effortless. With a sweet and savory sauce simmered to perfection, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste right at home.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss the flank steak with cornstarch in a mixing bowl until the meat is evenly coated.
- Step 2: Place the coated steak in your slow cooker. Add toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, and water. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender and infused with the sauce.
- Step 4: Just before serving, stir in the sliced green onions for a fresh, flavorful garnish.
Tips & Variations
- For extra depth, add a splash of rice vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce before cooking.
- Serve over steamed rice or with your favorite stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the beef when done and simmer the sauce on the stovetop until reduced.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, flank steak is ideal because it becomes tender and absorbs flavors well, but you can also use skirt steak or sirloin sliced thinly against the grain.
Is cornstarch necessary?
Cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce and gives the beef a slightly crispy coating once cooked. If you prefer, you can skip it, but the texture will be different.
PrintSlow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe
This Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a tender and flavorful dish made with thinly sliced flank steak, coated in cornstarch, and slow-cooked in a savory and sweet sauce of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil. It’s perfect for an easy, hands-off meal that delivers rich Asian-inspired flavors and melts in your mouth tenderness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 5 hours (low)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (high) or 5 hours 15 minutes (low)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Coat the steak: In a large mixing bowl, toss the thinly sliced flank steak with the cornstarch until each piece is evenly coated. This will help thicken the sauce and give the beef a tender texture.
- Combine in slow cooker: Place the coated steak directly into the slow cooker. Add the toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and water. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow cook the beef: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on HIGH setting for 2 to 3 hours, or on LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours. Cook until the beef is very tender and has absorbed the flavors of the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, stir in the sliced green onions for freshness and added flavor. Serve hot over steamed rice or your preferred side.
Notes
- For best results, slice the flank steak very thinly against the grain to enhance tenderness.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- This dish can be prepared a day in advance; the flavors deepen when refrigerated overnight and gently rewarmed before serving.
- Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: slow cooker mongolian beef, easy mongolian beef, slow cooked beef recipe, asian beef slow cooker, flank steak recipe
