Mongolian Beef with Noodles

15 Comments 4.9

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe

Sweet and slightly spicy Mongolian Beef with Noodles tastes better than a restaurant meal and you can make it in a fraction of the time required to pick up take-out!

This Mongolian Beef was a huge hit with my whole family. I saw the recipe over on my friend Kristen’s blog, Iowa Girl Eats, and immediately put the ingredients on my grocery list.

Well, technically, I bought the cabbage and pulled the flank steak out of the freezer, because yes, I do buy ridiculous amounts of most meat in order to always have it on hand! Her noodle bowls looked so tasty, I couldn’t wait to try them.

Save The Recipe

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe right to your inbox! Plus, I’ll send you new recipes every week!

Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef

We enjoyed this Mongolian Beef with Noodles for dinner that night and it was a hit all around. I made the Mongolian Beef again the very next night because I couldn’t resist playing with the recipe and spicing it up a bit.

I served the beef without noodles the second time and it scored a huge thumbs up once again from my crew. As much as we like the original recipe, we all preferred it just a little bit spicier.

The beef is delicious served with noodles, over rice, or all on its own too.

Mongolian Beef Recipe

My adaption of this beef stir-fry recipe gets its extra heat from a few spoonfuls of chili paste – I love adding this chili paste to recipes for a hint of heat or a whole lot of heat depending on the recipe. (These chili pastes are no longer available online, but they’re easy to find in grocery stores everywhere I’ve looked.)

It may sound like a lot but I promise this Mongolian Beef isn’t too hot even with that addition. Don’t be scared of the chili paste!

If you are more cautious with your spice use, reduce the amount of chili paste by half and then go from there based on your individual taste preference. The amount of sugar in the sauce balances it nicely, it isn’t at all a “spicy” dish, even with the chili paste.

Mongolian Beef is an awesome way to get dinner on the table in a hurry! Get the recipe at barefeetinthekitchen.com

I’m a huge fan of adding heat to Asian-inspired recipes. Check out Sticky Asian Chicken for a four-ingredient recipe that is truly finger licking good. Korean Beef Bulgogi can be made as mild or spicy as you like. Sean likes it loaded with spicy heat and I like it somewhere in the middle.

These Stir Fry Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables are a family favorite and I make them at least every other month. Chili Glazed Pork Belly Strips are kind of like bacon on steroids. If you haven’t tried pork belly yet, put it on your list.

I also use fresh ginger for an additional zing of flavor. Definitely, use fresh ginger over powdered in this recipe. It makes a world of difference and flavors the beef and noodles beautifully. (For tips on peeling and cooking with ginger root, check out my guide to How to Use Fresh Ginger.)

Flank steak is the ideal meat for Mongolian Beef stir-fry. It’s inexpensive, cooks quickly and results in juicy tender bites of beef with a perfect sear on the outside. Plus, I almost always have a flank steak or two on hand in my freezer.

I’ve made this recipe with both green cabbage sliced thinly and bagged coleslaw mix depending on what I had in my fridge at the time. They were both delicious!

Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls are tastier than take-out and you're sure to love them!

Stir Fry Recipes

Stir fry recipes of all kinds are some of my favorite weeknight meals and I’m excited to add this Mongolian Beef dish to our regular rotation along with Spicy Chicken and Bacon Stir-Fry , Garlicky Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry and Kung Pao Chicken.

Another beef stir-fry recipe that gets a lot of play in my house is my Better Than Take-Out Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry. I’m a big fan of anything I make that beats our favorite take-out dishes for less cost and what amounts to the same amount of effort when all is said and done.

For fellow pineapple lovers, there’s Pineapple Beef Stir-Fry from Melanie Makes. I can’t believe I’d never thrown pineapple into my stir-fry before and I’m definitely looking forward to giving it a try.

Don’t miss this Vegetable Lo Mein by Saving Room for Dessert and this  Garlicky Shrimp Stir Fry with Shiitakes by Skinnytaste as well.

Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls are tastier than take-out and you're sure to love them! get the recipe at barefeetinthekitchen.com

Mongolian Beef with Noodles

1.Cook, drain and rinse the noodles if you’re including them. Stir together the soy sauce, sugar, water, chili paste, and pepper flakes. Set the sauce mixture next to the stove.

2. Slice the steak as thinly as possible, being careful to slice against the grain. (See the cook’s note for tips.) Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add half of the beef to the skillet, toss in the oil, and spread across the pan. Season the meat lightly with salt and pepper. Let the meat cook for 30 seconds, without touching it, stir, and spread across the pan again. Let the meat cook an additional 30-45 seconds and remove it to a plate. Add the remaining oil to the pan and repeat the above steps with the remaining meat, adding the cooked meat to the plate.

3. Add ½ tablespoon oil to the hot skillet over medium-high, then add the ginger, garlic, and green onions. Saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the sauce and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 2 minutes, until just barely reduced. (This is not a “thick” sauce.) Add the cabbage, toss to coat and slightly wilt about 30 seconds. Add the beef back to the skillet and toss to coat everything. If you’re including noodles, add them now and toss once more. Enjoy!

Kitchen Tip: I use this chef knife, this bowl, this skillet, and this metal spatula to make this recipe.

Get New Recipessent to your inbox!
We never share your information with third parties and will protect it in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls are tastier than take-out and you're sure to love them!

Mongolian Beef with Noodles

4.88 from 8 votes
Recipe adapted from and with thanks to Iowa Girl Eats
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 -5 servings

Ingredients 

  • Optional: 8 ounces rice noodles or spaghetti noodles (cooked, drained, and rinsed)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons chili paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound flank steak sliced as thinly as possible
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or refined coconut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh ginger about a 1-inch section
  • 3 large garlic cloves minced
  • 5 green onions green parts sliced into 1-inch pieces, white parts sliced very thin
  • 3-4 cups very thinly sliced green cabbage or coleslaw mix

Instructions

  • Cook, drain, and rinse the noodles if you’re including them. Stir together the soy sauce, sugar, water, chili paste, and pepper flakes. Set the sauce mixture next to the stove.
  • Slice the steak as thinly as possible, being careful to slice against the grain. (See the cook’s note for tips.) Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add half of the beef to the skillet, toss in the oil, and spread across the pan. Season the meat lightly with salt and pepper. Let the meat cook for 30 seconds, without touching it, stir, and spread across the pan again. Let the meat cook an additional 30-45 seconds and remove it to a plate. Add the remaining oil to the pan and repeat the above steps with the remaining meat, adding the cooked meat to the plate
  • Add ½ tablespoon oil to the hot skillet over medium high, then add the ginger, garlic, and green onions. Saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the sauce and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 2 minutes, until just barely reduced. (This is not a “thick” sauce.) Add the cabbage, toss to coat and slightly wilt, about 30 seconds. Add the beef back to the skillet and toss to coat everything. If you’re including noodles, add them now and toss once more. Enjoy!

Notes

If you aren’t familiar with slicing meat “against the grain,” check out this quick How To Slice Meat Against The Grain video . This will ensure a perfect bite each time. A non-stick skillet will also work for this recipe. I’ve used both types. I prefer a heavy stainless or a wok, because the meat will sear nicely, but it cooks well and tastes great out of a non-stick skillet too.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal · Carbohydrates: 24g · Protein: 26g · Fat: 9g · Saturated Fat: 2g · Cholesterol: 68mg · Sodium: 1430mg · Potassium: 599mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 20g · Vitamin A: 200IU · Vitamin C: 22mg · Calcium: 76mg · Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

{originally published 6/6/16 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/31/19}

Better-Than-Take-Out Mongolian Beef with Noodles! get the recipe at barefeetinthekitchen.com

Filed under: , , ,

Share this Article

PinYummly

Related Posts

Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

Reader Interactions

15 Comments Leave a comment or review

    Rate & Comment

    Rating




  1. John says

    The recipe looks good but this is called barefoot in the kitchen i always look for it but i never see anyone cooking barefoot in the kitchen

  2. Fran says

    Made this for dinner last night and couldn’t stop eating it, it was so delicious! Used rice noodles and chili paste and coleslaw and couldn’t have been happier. Family gave it a 5+ review. Thank you for information on cutting meat properly; what a difference it makes!5 stars

  3. Richard Howard says

    This looks heavenly. Actually, I also love this. Thanks for sharing! I think this will be our Sunday dinner this weekend.5 stars

  4. Richard Miller says

    This beats any Mongolian beef I have had in a restaurant. I used “stir-fry steak “ from Wal-Mart which has the meat tenderized and thinly sliced already. I am sending this to all my kids; absolutely loved it.5 stars

  5. Gail says

    The “print” option takes me back to the top of the page—kind of go in circles. Was planning to make this tonight but would like a printed recipe to work from. Sounds good. Thanks.

    • Mary Younkin says

      I’m not sure what’s happening, Gail. Is it possible that you have pop ups blocked on your machine? The print button opens in a new window.

  6. Linda says

    I made it just as written except I didn’t have chili paste and substituted siracha sauce . I gotta say I like spice and hubby is ok with a little . I thought this was good but spicy , hubby loved it and tolerated the spice better than me 🙂 he says it is ten times better than any restaurant . I also used rice noodles
    I will make again but scale slice back . Hubby says no don’t change a thing !5 stars