If you’re looking for a quick and flavorful dinner, this ground mongolian beef and noodles recipe is the perfect choice! Packed with savory, slightly sweet flavors and tender noodles, this dish comes together easily with simple ingredients. Whether for a busy weeknight or a comforting meal, ground mongolian beef and noodles delivers bold taste with minimal effort.
Method
Start by heating a large stock pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the ground beef and cook it until there’s no pink left. After the beef is browned, use a paper towel and tongs to drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Leave this small amount of fat in the pan to enhance the flavor of the dish. Continue cooking the beef, allowing it to develop some brown bits at the bottom of the pan, as this adds depth to the flavor.
Next, add the garlic, fresh ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes to the beef. Stir everything together and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the garlic and ginger to release their fragrant aromas. The red pepper flakes will bloom in the hot oil, adding a bit of spice to the dish.
While the beef is cooking, prepare the sauce by combining 1 cup of beef broth, tamari, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, and fish sauce in a small glass or dish. Stir everything together until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are fully combined.
Once the beef is fragrant and the spices have bloomed, pour half of the sauce over the beef and stir to ensure it’s evenly incorporated. Then, push the beef to one side of the pan, and pour the remaining 2 cups of beef bone broth into the empty side. This will allow the broth to heat up before adding the noodles.
Add the ramen noodles to the liquid. Drop the gluten-free ramen bricks into the simmering broth, turning the heat to low. Allow the liquid to come to a simmer, and after 2-3 minutes, use tongs or chopsticks to flip the ramen bricks over. Let them simmer for an additional 3 minutes, or until the noodles are softened. As the noodles soften, gently pull them apart with the tongs or chopsticks, ensuring they separate into individual strands.
In a small bowl, whisk arrowroot starch into the remaining half of the sauce mixture until no lumps remain. Pour this mixture over the beef and noodles, stirring everything together to combine the sauce and thicken it. Let the sauce simmer for a few moments until it reaches your desired consistency.Finally, remove the pan from heat and serve the dish with a garnish of thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately, and enjoy your flavorful, one-pot meal!
Necessary Tools
- Large stock pot or deep skillet
- Tongs or chopsticks
- Whisk
- Small glass or dish for mixing sauce
- Paper towels (for draining excess fat)
Ground Mongolian Beef and Noodles
Cuisine: Chinese, MongolianDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1 lb ground beef
6 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch knob fresh ginger, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
A few grinds of fresh black pepper
2 bricks gluten-free ramen noodles
For the sauce
3 cups beef bone broth or beef stock, divided
1/4 cup tamari
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
For serving
Thinly sliced green onions
Toasted sesame seeds
Directions
- Brown the beef: Begin by heating a large stock pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until there is no pink left. Once the beef is browned, drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat (you can use a paper towel and tongs to remove the excess fat). Continue to cook the beef until it starts to create brown bits at the bottom of the pan, which adds extra flavor.
- Add garlic and spices: Add the minced garlic, fresh ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan with the beef. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. The red pepper flakes will bloom, releasing a nice spicy aroma.
- Make the sauce: While the beef is cooking, combine 1 cup of beef broth, tamari, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, and fish sauce in a small glass or dish. Stir to combine the ingredients.
- Add the sauce: Pour half of the sauce mixture over the beef and stir to incorporate the flavors. Then, push the beef to one side of the pot and pour the remaining 2 cups of beef bone broth into the empty side of the pan.
- Add the noodles: Drop the gluten-free ramen bricks into the liquid, turning the heat to low. Allow the liquid to come to a simmer. After 2-3 minutes, use tongs or chopsticks to flip the ramen bricks. Let them simmer for another 3 minutes, or until the noodles begin to soften. Use tongs or chopsticks to gently pull the noodles apart.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the arrowroot starch into the remaining half of the sauce until no lumps remain. Pour this thickened sauce over the beef and noodles, stirring everything together until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and garnish the dish with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy your tasty one-pot meal!
Notes
- Be mindful of the beef fat: After browning the beef, make sure to drain most of the fat, but leave a little for flavor. If you leave too much, the dish might be too greasy.
- Adjust heat carefully: When simmering the ramen noodles, make sure the liquid is at a low simmer. If the heat is too high, the noodles might overcook or burn before they soften.
- Stir the noodles gently: As you’re pulling the noodles apart, use tongs or chopsticks gently to avoid breaking them up too much. You want the noodles to be soft but still in long strands.
Serving Suggestions
These Ground Mongolian Beef & Noodles make a perfect main dish on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a simple cucumber salad to add some fresh crunch. You can even top them with extra sesame seeds for an added texture and flavor. If you’re looking for a little heat, a drizzle of chili oil or a dash of sriracha can really kick things up!
Fun Fact
Did you know that Mongolian beef dishes, despite the name, are not originally from Mongolia? They are actually a popular creation in Chinese-American cuisine, with a rich and savory sauce often made with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This dish has become a favorite for many people around the world, especially when paired with noodles!
Conclusion
This ground mongolian beef and noodles is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. With its rich flavors and easy preparation, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Once you try this ground mongolian beef and noodles, it’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
