🥢 Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
🌿 Ingredients
For the noodles and beef:
- 8 oz lo mein noodles (or spaghetti, ramen, or rice noodles)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey or pork)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (if needed)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
- ½ cup green onions, chopped (plus more for garnish)
For the Mongolian sauce:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for richness)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
Optional garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Extra sliced green onions
🔥 Instructions
1. Cook the noodles
- Cook noodles according to package directions until just al dente.
- Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss lightly with a drizzle of oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. Cook the beef
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink (5–6 minutes).
- If there’s excess grease, drain it off.
- Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Make the sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour sauce over the cooked beef.
- Bring to a simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) and cook until the sauce thickens slightly (1–2 minutes).
4. Combine noodles and beef
- Add cooked noodles to the skillet with the beef and sauce.
- Toss well to coat the noodles evenly in the rich, glossy sauce.
- Stir in green onions just before serving.
5. Serve
- Garnish with sesame seeds and extra green onions.
- Serve hot and enjoy that takeout-style flavor right from your kitchen!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or carrots for a veggie boost.
- Serve with a side of Asian cucumber salad or egg rolls.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully — store in the fridge up to 4 days.
💡 Tips & Variations
- For a spicier version, add Sriracha or chili garlic sauce to taste.
- For lower sodium, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and cut the sugar slightly.
- Swap beef for ground chicken or tofu crumbles for a lighter option.
- Add a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce gets too thick when reheating.