Mongolian beef is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for those who love Asian cuisine. This dish originated in China and was adapted by Mongolian chefs, resulting in a unique combination of flavors and cooking techniques. Mongolian beef is typically made with thinly sliced beef that is cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, along with various vegetables and aromatics. In this article, we will explore the steps to cook Mongolian beef and some tips to make it even more delicious.
To start, you will need a few key ingredients for the sauce, such as soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, and garlic. These ingredients will give the dish its signature sweet and savory flavor. You will also need some thinly sliced beef, preferably flank steak or sirloin, as these cuts are tender and cook quickly.
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you can begin preparing the Mongolian beef. Start by marinating the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. This will help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. While the beef is marinating, you can prepare the sauce by combining soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
Next, heat some vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef and cook it for a few minutes until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add some sliced onions and cook them until they are soft and translucent. Then, add any additional vegetables you like, such as bell peppers or broccoli, and cook them until they are crisp-tender.
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the beef back to the pan along with the prepared sauce. Stir everything together and cook for an additional minute or two until the sauce has thickened and coats the beef and vegetables. Serve the Mongolian beef hot over steamed rice or noodles, and garnish with some sliced green onions for added flavor.
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start cooking Mongolian beef, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients and prepare them properly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the ingredients:
1. Beef:
To make Mongolian beef, you will need about 1 pound of flank steak or sirloin steak. Begin by slicing the beef into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. Make sure to cut across the grain of the meat to ensure tenderness.
Tip: It’s easier to slice the beef when it’s chilled, so consider placing it in the freezer for about 30 minutes before slicing.
2. Marinade:
In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
Tip: For a more pronounced flavor, you can let the beef marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
3. Vegetables:
Mongolian beef is often served with green onions and sliced onions. Thinly slice about 4 green onions, separating the white and green parts. Slice one medium-sized onion into thin strips.
4. Cornstarch Slurry:
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. This will be used to thicken the sauce later on.
By following these steps to prepare the ingredients, you’ll be ready to move on to the cooking process for Mongolian beef.
Gathering the necessary ingredients
Before you start cooking Mongolian beef, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients at hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
1 pound flank steak |
1/4 cup cornstarch |
1/4 cup soy sauce |
1/4 cup brown sugar |
1/4 cup hoisin sauce |
2 cloves garlic, minced |
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated |
1/4 cup water |
2 green onions, sliced |
Vegetable oil for frying |
Make sure to measure the ingredients accurately to achieve the best results. Once you have everything ready, you can move on to the next steps of the recipe.
Prepping the beef
Before you start cooking Mongolian beef, it’s important to prep the beef to ensure that it’s tender and flavorful.
Here are the steps to prep the beef:
- Start by choosing a tender cut of beef, such as flank steak or sirloin. Make sure the beef is well-trimmed and free of excess fat.
- Next, thinly slice the beef against the grain. This will help to ensure that the beef remains tender when cooked.
- Marinate the beef to enhance its flavor. You can use a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and cornstarch as a marinade. Let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is ideal to let the flavors develop.
- While the beef is marinating, you can prepare the other ingredients, such as slicing the green onions and mincing the garlic.
- Before cooking the beef, remove it from the marinade and pat it dry with a paper towel. This will help to promote browning and prevent steaming.
By prepping the beef properly, you’ll ensure that it’s tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection in your Mongolian beef dish.
Marinating the Beef
To begin preparing Mongolian beef, it is important to marinate the beef in a flavorful mixture. This step is crucial as it helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with delicious flavors. Here is a simple marinade recipe for Mongolian beef:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of flank steak, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons of rice wine
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined and the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
Place the thinly sliced flank steak in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the beef, making sure it is well coated on all sides. Cover the dish or seal the bag and let the beef marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and for the beef to become more tender.
If you are in a rush and don’t have time to marinate the beef overnight, you can still marinate it for a shorter amount of time. However, keep in mind that the longer the beef marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will be.
After the beef has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before cooking. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and doesn’t become tough.
Once the beef is marinated and ready to cook, you can proceed to the next step in the recipe.
Mixing the marinade
The key to making flavorful Mongolian beef lies in the marinade. This step is essential as it allows the beef to absorb all the delicious flavors.
To mix the marinade, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Use a whisk or spoon to mix everything until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and there are no lumps.
The marinade should have a thick, smooth consistency. If it appears too thick, you can add a splash of water to thin it out slightly.
Once the marinade is ready, pour it over the sliced beef in a large resealable bag or bowl. Make sure all the beef is coated evenly. Seal the bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the beef marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
A well-mixed and properly marinated beef will result in a delicious Mongolian beef dish with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
Marinating the beef
To give the Mongolian beef its bold flavor, marinating the beef is essential. Here is how you can marinate the beef:
– Start by slicing the beef into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. You can use flank steak or sirloin for this recipe.
– In a bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved.
– Place the beef strips in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the beef, making sure all the strips are coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
– While marinating, make sure to turn the beef occasionally to ensure an even distribution of the flavors. This will help tenderize and infuse the beef with the marinade.
– After marinating, remove the beef from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. This will allow the meat to come to room temperature and ensure more even cooking.
Marinating the beef not only adds flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat, making it more juicy and flavorful when cooked. Take the time to marinate the beef for the best results!
FAQ
What are the ingredients needed to cook Mongolian beef?
To cook Mongolian beef, you will need the following ingredients:
How long does it take to cook Mongolian beef?
The cooking time for Mongolian beef is around 30 minutes.
Can I use a different cut of beef instead of flank steak?
Yes, you can use a different cut of beef if you prefer.
What can I serve with Mongolian beef?
Mongolian beef is often served with steamed rice or noodles.