Introduction:
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a savory and flavorful dish that combines tender beef with a sweet and salty sauce. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep time. Simply toss everything in your slow cooker, and after a few hours, you’ll have a meal that’s bursting with delicious flavors.
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, and it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) flank steak (or sirloin), thinly sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for some heat)
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Green onions (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Beef:
Slice the flank steak or sirloin into thin strips against the grain.
Toss the beef slices with the flour in a bowl, making sure each piece is lightly coated.
Sear the Beef (Optional):
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the floured beef and sear it for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped if you prefer to just add the raw beef straight to the slow cooker.
Combine Ingredients:
In the slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Add Beef to the Slow Cooker:
Add the seared (or raw) beef slices to the slow cooker. Stir to coat the beef evenly in the sauce.
Cook:
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until the beef is tender.
Finish and Serve:
Once done, stir the beef in the sauce and serve over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Description
This Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a wonderfully tender, melt-in-your-mouth dish. The sauce is rich, slightly sweet, and balanced with a savory depth from the soy sauce, complemented by the aromatic ginger and garlic. The slow cooking process allows the beef to absorb all the flavors, making every bite a delightful experience.
Tips
Flank Steak Alternatives: You can use other cuts of beef like sirloin or round steak. Just be sure to slice them thinly to ensure they cook evenly.
Make it Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes, or throw in some sliced chili peppers if you like a little heat in your dish.
Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the sauce at the end of cooking. Let it cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken.
Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar depending on your sweetness preference.
Variations
Vegetarian Option: Replace the beef with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version of this dish. Just make sure to lightly fry the tofu before adding it to the slow cooker to maintain its texture.
Add Veggies: You can toss in vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas in the last 30 minutes of cooking to add more color and crunch to the dish.
Use Chicken: If you prefer chicken, substitute the beef with boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Adjust the cooking time accordingly (about 2-3 hours on low).
Correction
Overcooking the Beef: If the beef becomes too tough, you may have cooked it for too long. Try reducing the cooking time slightly next time.
Sauce Too Sweet: If you find the sauce too sweet for your taste, reduce the sugar by half and taste as you go, adjusting to your preference.
Enjoy!
Your delicious Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is ready to be served! Enjoy the sweet, savory, and tender beef with your choice of rice or noodles, and don’t forget to garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for the perfect finishing touch.