The tender strips of flank steak melt in your mouth, while the rich and savory Mongolian sauce coats each piece with a glossy finish. This slow-cooked delight is packed with bold flavors, making it the perfect dish to serve over steamed rice or noodles.
Whether you’re serving it to family or guests, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its balanced mix of sweet and savory elements, combined with the umami from the soy sauce and hoisin sauce, brings out the best in the beef. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh green onions for added texture and color.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Directions:
- Place the sliced flank steak into the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the steak in the slow cooker and stir to coat the meat evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker, and cook for an additional 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Before serving, garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 6-7 hours (low) | Total Time: 6-7 hours | Kcal: 315 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a fantastic blend of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors. The flank steak, slow-cooked to perfection, becomes incredibly tender as it soaks in the rich sauce. The combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar provides a harmonious balance of flavors, while the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes give the dish an aromatic warmth.
This recipe is perfect for busy days because it requires minimal hands-on time, and the slow cooker does all the hard work. Simply set it and forget it, and in a few hours, you’ll have a delicious, tender beef dish ready to serve.
Versatility
One of the best things about Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is how customizable it is. You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less red pepper flakes, or even omit them for a milder flavor. The dish can also be served over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps, making it incredibly versatile.
Additionally, the sauce thickens during the cooking process, creating a rich, glossy finish that coats the beef beautifully. Garnishing with green onions and sesame seeds adds a nice pop of color and texture, making the dish not only tasty but visually appealing.
Perfect for Meal Prep or Entertaining
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a dinner party, this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is sure to impress. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to double for larger groups, and the leftovers (if there are any!) are just as delicious the next day.
This recipe is also a great option for those looking for a flavorful beef dish without spending hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, leaving you more time to focus on other things or enjoy a well-deserved break.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights
One of the standout features of this dish is its simplicity. You can quickly prepare the ingredients in the morning and let the slow cooker work its magic throughout the day. The result? A flavorful, satisfying meal ready to serve with minimal effort on your part. Whether you’re preparing dinner for your family or making a meal for one, Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a great choice for those who want a delicious, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Sauce: Sweet, Savory, and Balanced
The sauce for this recipe is the star of the show. The combination of soy sauce and hoisin sauce creates a savory base, while the brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness. The rice vinegar adds acidity, helping to balance the richness of the other ingredients. The garlic and ginger bring aromatic warmth, while the red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat, making each bite perfectly balanced.
As the beef cooks, it soaks up the sauce, making the meat incredibly flavorful and tender. Toward the end of cooking, a simple cornstarch slurry is added to thicken the sauce, creating a glossy finish that clings to the beef and enhances the flavor even more.
Versatility in Serving
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. While the dish is typically served with steamed rice, it also works wonderfully with noodles, or even on top of sautéed vegetables. If you’re following a low-carb diet, you can skip the rice and serve the Mongolian Beef in lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice for a lighter option. This flexibility makes it easy to customize the recipe to your preferences and dietary needs.
Additionally, you can make this dish your own by adjusting the spice level. If you love a bit more heat, you can add extra red pepper flakes or even some chili paste. For a milder version, simply reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or leave them out entirely.
Garnish for Extra Flavor and Presentation
To finish off this dish, garnish with freshly chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The green onions add a burst of freshness, while the sesame seeds provide a nice crunch and a bit of nuttiness that complements the dish’s flavors perfectly. This simple garnish not only elevates the taste but also enhances the presentation, making it perfect for serving at dinner parties or family gatherings.
Ideal for Meal Prep and Leftovers
This dish is perfect for meal prepping. You can make a large batch of Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef and store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve the next day as they continue to meld, making it a great option for lunches throughout the week. It also freezes well if you want to store it for a longer period of time.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a recipe that combines ease, flavor, and versatility. The tender beef, sweet-savory sauce, and simple ingredients come together to create a dish that is both comforting and impressive. Whether you’re serving it to your family on a busy weeknight or preparing it for guests, this dish is sure to satisfy. It’s a perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can create an unforgettable meal. Give it a try, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.