Mongolian BBQ is a flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender meat, crisp vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce. With its roots in East Asian cuisine, this dish has become popular for its customizable ingredients and quick cooking time. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavors right at home.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- 1 lb beef or chicken, thinly sliced (use chicken breast or flank steak for tenderness)
- ½ cup soy sauce (preferably low-sodium)
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce (for a rich and slightly sweet flavor)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (adds a subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (fresh garlic enhances the aroma and flavor)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (adds warmth and a hint of spice)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty flavor and smooth texture)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying the meat and vegetables)
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned (thin strips for faster cooking)
- 1 cup bell peppers, thinly sliced (any color: red, yellow, or green)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (add crunch and nutrients)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 2 cups cooked rice (use jasmine or brown rice for serving)
HOW TO MAKE MONGOLIAN BBQ:
This dish comes together quickly in a hot pan, so make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready before starting.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
A wok works best for stir-frying because of its high sides and ability to handle high heat evenly. - Cook the meat: Add the thinly sliced beef or chicken to the hot oil. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through. Once done, remove the meat from the pan and set it aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced onion. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and the onion softens slightly.
Stir frequently to avoid burning the garlic and ginger. - Add the vegetables: Toss in the julienned carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry the vegetables for another 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp, meaning they retain a slight crunch but are cooked through.
- Mix the sauce: Stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Combine everything well, ensuring that the sauce coats all the vegetables.
- Return the meat: Add the cooked meat back into the pan and toss everything together. Stir-fry for 2 more minutes so that the meat absorbs the sauce and heats through.
- Finish with sesame oil: Drizzle sesame oil over the finished dish for a rich, nutty flavor. This step adds a final layer of depth to the dish.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot over a bed of cooked rice. For added texture, you can sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Slice the meat thinly: Thin slices of meat cook quickly and stay tender. For easier slicing, place the meat in the freezer for about 20 minutes before cutting.
- Prep your ingredients: Stir-frying is a fast cooking method, so it’s important to have all your ingredients ready before you begin.
- Don’t overcook the vegetables: Stir-fry them until tender-crisp to preserve their vibrant colors and crunch.
DETAILS:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
NOTES:
- Feel free to switch up the vegetables based on what you have on hand. Snow peas, zucchini, or snap peas work wonderfully in this recipe.
- For a low-carb version, you can substitute the rice with cauliflower rice or serve the stir-fry over a bed of mixed greens.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I use different proteins?
Yes! Aside from beef or chicken, you can use shrimp, tofu, or even lamb for a different twist. Just adjust the cooking time based on the protein used.
Is this dish spicy?
It can be if you add the red pepper flakes. If you prefer a milder dish, simply leave them out.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and ensure your hoisin sauce is also gluten-free.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked stir-fry for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of soy sauce or water if the dish seems dry.
This Mongolian BBQ stir-fry is a delicious, versatile meal that’s quick to prepare and easy to customize to your tastes.
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Mongolian BBQ Stir-Fry Recipe
- Author: Martha
Description
Mongolian BBQ is a flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender meat, crisp vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce. With its roots in East Asian cuisine, this dish has become popular for its customizable ingredients and quick cooking time. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavors right at home.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef or chicken, thinly sliced (use chicken breast or flank steak for tenderness)
- ½ cup soy sauce (preferably low-sodium)
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce (for a rich and slightly sweet flavor)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (adds a subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (fresh garlic enhances the aroma and flavor)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (adds warmth and a hint of spice)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty flavor and smooth texture)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying the meat and vegetables)
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned (thin strips for faster cooking)
- 1 cup bell peppers, thinly sliced (any color: red, yellow, or green)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (add crunch and nutrients)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 2 cups cooked rice (use jasmine or brown rice for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
A wok works best for stir-frying because of its high sides and ability to handle high heat evenly. - Cook the meat: Add the thinly sliced beef or chicken to the hot oil. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through. Once done, remove the meat from the pan and set it aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced onion. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and the onion softens slightly.
Stir frequently to avoid burning the garlic and ginger. - Add the vegetables: Toss in the julienned carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry the vegetables for another 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp, meaning they retain a slight crunch but are cooked through.
- Mix the sauce: Stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Combine everything well, ensuring that the sauce coats all the vegetables.
- Return the meat: Add the cooked meat back into the pan and toss everything together. Stir-fry for 2 more minutes so that the meat absorbs the sauce and heats through.
- Finish with sesame oil: Drizzle sesame oil over the finished dish for a rich, nutty flavor. This step adds a final layer of depth to the dish.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot over a bed of cooked rice. For added texture, you can sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top.
Notes
- Feel free to switch up the vegetables based on what you have on hand. Snow peas, zucchini, or snap peas work wonderfully in this recipe.
- For a low-carb version, you can substitute the rice with cauliflower rice or serve the stir-fry over a bed of mixed greens.