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Easy Mongolian Ground Beef

This recipe for Easy Mongolian Ground Beef is a quick, budget-friendly, 20-minute weeknight dinner with a savory-sweet sauce that tastes just like takeout.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, asian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Ground Beef
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 or lean
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Mongolian Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tbsp dark brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a spicy kick
For the Stir-Fry
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 4 green onions sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots or sliced bell peppers optional, for extra texture
To Serve
  • Cooked white rice jasmine rice, or noodles
  • Sesame seeds or chopped green onions optional, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Make the sauce by mixing soy sauce, water, brown sugar, hoisin, sesame oil, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes if using.
  2. Cook the beef by heating oil in a pan, adding ground beef with salt and pepper, and cooking until browned. Drain extra fat.
  3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 30 seconds.
  4. Add carrots or bell peppers if using, and cook for 1–2 minutes.
  5. Pour in the sauce and cook until it thickens, about 2 minutes.
  6. Return the beef to the pan and mix well.
  7. Stir in green onions, then serve over rice or noodles.