Asian Mongolian Ground Beef Recipe with Few Ingredients

by Christian Ou on April 2, 2025

This Healthy Asian Mongolian Ground Beef Rice Bowl is packed with high protein, bursting with flavor, and super simple to make! Whether you’re cooking on a busy weeknight, making dinner for the whole family, or looking for meal prep ideas, this easy ground beef recipe will quickly become one of your go-to dishes!

Asian Mongolian Ground Beef Recipe with Few Ingredients served with broccoli

This Healthy Asian Mongolian Ground Beef Rice Bowl is a fantastic way to get a nutritious, protein-packed meal on the table with minimal effort. It’s a perfect option for easy dinner ideas and makes a filling meal the whole family will love. Try it tonight, and enjoy a healthy, delicious dinner that comes together in no time! These are also great for meal prep. Make this today and you’ll have delicious Mongolian beef rice bowl for the whole week!

This was inspired by my Sha Cha Beef Stir-Fry with Scallions Recipe on this site, and pairs well with this 10-Minute Ginger Garlic Bok Choy. If you are looking for more comforting beef recipes, try my One Pot Braised Beef Noodle Soup!

Asian Mongolian Ground Beef Recipe Easy and Healthy Meal Prep Ideas

What Is Mongolian Beef?

Mongolian Beef is a popular Chinese-American dish that’s known for its savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. Despite its name, it doesn’t actually originate from Mongolia, but rather from Chinese-American cuisine. I’m using ground beef here but it’s typically made with thinly sliced beef, usually flank steak or sirloin. The beef is coated in a delicious sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, giving it a rich, slightly sweet, and savory flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

High in Protein: Lean ground beef provides a great source of protein, helping keep you full and satisfied.
Healthy Ingredients: With low-sodium soy sauce and sesame oil, this dish is packed with savory flavor but with less sodium and a healthier twist than traditional Mongolian beef recipes.
Quick and Easy: This easy recipe takes minimal prep time and can be ready in about 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook!
Simple Ingredients: All the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, making this a great go-to dinner for any night.
Comfort Food with a Healthy Spin: Think of this as the ultimate comfort food, but with a twist that makes it healthy and balanced.

Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make the best Mongolian Beef Rice Bowl:

Ground Beef
Garlic
Ginger
Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce
Water
Hoisin Sauce
Brown Sugar
Sesame Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Salt
Black Peper
Cornstarch
Green Onions, for garnish
Sesame Seeds, for garnish

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Easy Mongolian Ground Beef:

Make the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, water, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil.

Cook the Beef: In a large skillet or pan, heat 1 tbsp of cooking oil. Add ground beef, ginger, and garlic. Cook until beef is crumbled and cooked through.

Add Sauce and Aromatics: Pour the prepared sauce over ground beef and stir well to coat.

Pour cornstarch slurry into the ground beef mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

What to Serve with Mongolian Beef

Serve Mongolian Beef over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. I also like to add a side of green veggie like broccoli or bok choy for extra nutrient. Garnish green onion and sesame seeds, and enjoy!

Substitutions

Ground Beef: You can substitute with ground chicken, turkey, or ground pork.
Soy Sauce: You can use tamari or coconut aminos
Rice: If you want to keep it low-carb, try serving this dish over cauliflower rice instead of white rice or brown rice.
Hoisin Sauce: If you can’t find hoisin sauce, you can add a little more soy sauce and brown sugar instead. You can also try using teriyaki sauce, but the taste will be slightly different.
Brown Sugar: Use honey or maple syrup if you prefer a natural sweetener instead of brown sugar.

Equipment

Large Skillet

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

Freeze: You can freeze the cooked beef mixture for up to 3 months. Just store it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Top Tips for Success

Lean Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef to make it a low-carb, high protein meal

Watch the Heat: Cooking over medium-high heat will allow the beef to brown nicely without becoming tough.

Prep the Sauce: If you’re pressed for time, prep your sauce ingredients in advance. This makes assembling the dish even quicker!

Don’t Overcook: Overcooking the beef can make it dry, so be sure to cook just until browned and then add your sauce for that juicy, tender finish.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the Mongolian beef mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then, just reheat and serve over freshly cooked rice.

What can I serve this with?
While it’s great with plain white rice, you could also try serving it with brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even noodles for a different twist.

Can I make this with ground turkey or chicken?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken in place of the ground beef. Just note that ground turkey or chicken is leaner, so the dish might be slightly drier. You may want to add a little extra sesame oil or sauce.

Is this recipe spicy?
This recipe isn’t spicy, but you can add chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give it a kick if you like some heat.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

30 MINUTE OR LESS MEAT DISHES