Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a tender, flavorful dish featuring thinly sliced beef cooked slowly in a rich, sweet-savory sauce. Effortless and family-friendly, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights and pairs excellently with rice or noodles.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours on low or 1-1.5 hours on high
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Beef and Protein
- 1.5 pounds beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar for less sweetness)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
Thickening and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for searing)
Garnish
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Optional: sesame seeds, thinly sliced red chili peppers
- Prepare the Beef: Slice beef sirloin or flank steak into thin strips against the grain for tenderness. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef strips for 1-2 minutes per side until browned to lock in juices and flavor.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water or beef broth. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely, forming the flavorful savory sauce.
- Combine in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the beef, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-1.5 hours until beef is tender and flavorful.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 15 minutes before cooking ends, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce to a glossy, clingy consistency that coats the beef.
- Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish for freshness and color. Serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or your preferred side.
Notes
- Do not skip searing the beef to maximize flavor and prevent blandness.
- Slice beef thinly to ensure faster cooking and tenderness.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger to elevate the sauce flavor.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the brown sugar amount according to taste.
- Add cornstarch slurry gradually to avoid an overly thick sauce.
- For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes or sriracha.
- Substitute beef with firm tofu or seitan for a vegetarian version.
- Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef, Mongolian Beef, Easy Beef Recipe, Slow Cooker Dinner, Gluten Free Asian Recipes