Description

A quick and delicious homemade twist on PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef, featuring ultra-crispy fried beef strips tossed in a glossy, sweet-salty sauce infused with garlic, ginger, and Chinese cooking wine.

Ingredients

8 oz / 250 g beef steak (rump, flank, or scotch), thinly sliced

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp vegetable oil

2 tsp cornstarch (for sauce)

1/4 cup water

2 tbsp light or all-purpose soy sauce

1/4 cup chicken broth

1½ tbsp Chinese cooking wine (or dry sherry or extra broth)

3 tbsp brown sugar, lightly packed

1/4–1½ cups vegetable oil (for shallow frying)

1/4 cup cornstarch (for coating beef)

1/2 tsp finely minced ginger

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 scallions, cut into 1½” (4 cm) diagonal pieces

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Instructions

Mix sliced beef with 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1 tsp oil. Marinate for at least 10 minutes.
In a bowl, dissolve 2 tsp cornstarch in 1/4 cup water. Stir in soy sauce, chicken broth, cooking wine, and brown sugar until smooth.
Toss marinated beef in 1/4 cup cornstarch to coat.
Heat 1/4–1½ cups oil in a wok or small saucepan over medium-high heat. Fry beef in two batches for about 45 seconds per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
Discard most of the oil, leaving 1 tbsp in the pan. Sauté ginger and garlic for 15 seconds until aromatic.
Add sauce mixture to the pan, bring to a simmer, and cook until thickened and glossy, about 1½ minutes.
Add crispy beef and scallions to the pan. Toss for 30 seconds to coat evenly.
Serve immediately with steamed rice or cauliflower rice.

Notes

Mirin or sake can be used instead of Chinese cooking wine—reduce sugar by 1 tbsp if using these.
Tenderize budget beef cuts using a baking soda method for better texture.
Frying in a small saucepan and finishing in a skillet works if a wok isn’t available.
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water.
Prepare the marinade and sauce in advance for quicker cooking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stir-Fry
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 21g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 65mg