Instant Pot Mongolian Beef

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Looking to make your own Instant Pot Mongolian Beef recipe from home? Well you’ve come to the right place! This recipe is very similar to the Mongolian Beef that you’d order at your local Chinese restaurant, but it’s homemade and way better for you. With only a few ingredients and minimal time, this delicious recipe will be ready in no time.

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What Is Mongolian Beef?

Mongolian beef is a classic Chinese-American dish that consists of tender, thinly sliced beef that has been stir-fried in a savory, sweet sauce. While this recipe may look and taste like it’s from your favorite restaurant, all you need to prepare it at home is a few simple ingredients and an Instant Pot!

Why Is It Called Mongolian Beef?

Ever wonder how a popular food item gets its name? This tasty dish is inspired by a popular stir-fry dish from Taiwan, where it’s referred to there as Mongolian BBQ. We might make it a little different than the traditional way but it’s so delicious this way too!

Is Mongolian Beef Spicy?

This popular dish gets its sweet and savory flavor from a combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and red chili flakes. Some people enjoy adding a little kick to their Mongolian beef by adding some sriracha, but if you prefer your food less spicy, simply leave it out!

Is Mongolian Beef Healthy?

While restaurant-style Mongolian beef may not be the healthiest of meals, this homemade version is much healthier. Using leaner cuts of beef and keeping out any unnecessary additives like MSG or preservatives, you can enjoy a less guilt-ridden meal that’s packed with incredible flavor!

How Many Calories In Mongolian Beef?

If you’re watching your calorie intake, you might be curious about how many calories are in Mongolian beef. This delicious dish contains around 500 calories per serving, depending on the cut of beef that you use and any additional ingredients added.

However, by keeping portions small and making sure to use healthier substitutions where possible, you can enjoy this dish without sacrificing your health goals.

Why Use Low Sodium Soy Sauce In Mongolian Beef?

One of the most important ingredients in Mongolian Beef is soy sauce, and many people are wary about using regular soy sauce because of its high sodium content.

Using low-sodium soy sauce is healthier than regular soy sauce due to its lower amount of sodium and added flavorings that make up for the lost saltiness.

What Cut Of Beef For Mongolian Beef?

There’s no doubt that beef is the best tender meat to use when making Mongolian Beef. The most common cut of beef used in this dish is flank steak, which is a long and thin cut with lots of connective tissue.

Other cuts can be used for Mongolian beef as well, such as skirt steak, stew meat, top round beef or tri-tip steak. To ensure that your meat cooks evenly and stays tender, it’s best to slice the beef very thinly so that it can cook through quickly.

Instant Pot Mongolian Beef Cooking Times

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Mongolian Beef Instant Pot Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Pounds Thinly Sliced Flank Steak
• 1/2 Cup Cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3/4 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 3/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Low Sodium Beef Broth
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2 Teaspoons White Wine Vinegar
• 1 Teaspoon Minced Fresh ginger
• 3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 1/2 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 Green Onions, Sliced
• 1 Teaspoon Sesame Seeds

How To Make Instant Pot Mongolian Beef

Here are the step-by-step instructions for cooking Instant Pot Mongolian beef.

Step One: Slice Flank Steak

Cut the flank steak into thin slices. Ensure the beef is sliced thin to bite-size pieces.

Step Two: Coat The Beef Pieces

In a medium-sized bowl, place the beef strips. Pour the cornstarch over the sliced beef. With your hands or a large spoon, mix the thin slices well until every piece of the steak is well coated. 

Step Three: Make Mongolian Beef Sauce

In a medium bowl, mix together the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, ginger, olive oil (1 TBSP), garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. 

Step Four: Saute Flank Steak In Instant Pot

Select the “saute” setting on the Instant Pot. Once hot pour in enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot.

If there isn’t enough oil, the cornstarch from the meat will stick to the pan and the Instant Pot will show a burn notice.

After the oil is hot, add beef a little at a time. Brown each piece of meat. Once brown, remove from the Instant Pot and put to the side until all of your meat is browned. 

Once all of your meat is browned, turn off the “saute” mode.

Step Five: Pressure Cook Mongolian Beef

Return all of the meat to the inner pot, and pour the prepared sauce over it. Put the Instant Pot lid on, and lock the lid in position.

Close the sealing valve. Set the Instant Pot to cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.

Step Six: Quick Release Instant Pot

After the pressure cooking time is done, use a long wooden spoon to open the sealing valve to allow the steam to escape.

Once all of the steam is released and you can safely remove your Instant Pot lid, do so carefully.

Step Seven: Garnish And Serve Mongolian Beef

Toss fresh green onions into the Instant Pot and stir. Serve the Mongolian Beef with a garnish of sesame seeds.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy Instant Pot Mongolian beef!

What To Serve With Mongolian Beef?

This Mongolian Beef Instant Pot recipe pairs well over noodles, rice, or by itself! You can also add any of your favorite vegetables, such as steamed broccoli, bell peppers or mashed potatoes.

For a quick and easy side dish, try pairing Mongolian beef with stir-fried bok choy or steamed white rice.

To round out the meal, you might also want to serve it with light and crispy egg rolls, or pair it with some tasty sticky rice.

With so many delicious options, it’s easy to see why Mongolian beef is a popular choice for weeknight dinners or family gatherings!

Do I Have To Use Brown Sugar For This Instant Pot Mongolian Beef Recipe?

No, you do not have to use brown sugar for this Instant Pot Mongolian Beef recipe. You can substitute white sugar or honey in place of the brown sugar if desired.

Some people prefer using other sweeteners that may be lower in calories or more natural than brown sugar. However, the taste will be slightly different with these substitutions.

How To Thicken Mongolian Beef Sauce?

If you want to thicken the sauce for your Instant Pot Mongolian beef, there are a few different options.

One option is to add more cornstarch directly to the Mongolian beef sauce. Simply mix in an extra tablespoon or two of cornstarch and stir until the sauce thickens. Another option is to transfer the sauce to a small pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat on the stove. Once boiling, stir in more cornstarch until the creamy sauce reaches your desired thickness.

Whatever method you choose, make sure to stir continuously while thickening the sauce so that it does not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Enjoy

Can I Make Mongolian Beef In The Slow Cooker?

Yes you can make Mongolian beef in the slow cooker. To do so, simply add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

The cooking times may vary on the slow cooker version depending on the size and type of slow cooker you are using.

You may need to stir the meat midway through cooking to prevent sticking. Enjoy your Mongolian beef over rice, noodles, or by itself!

Is Mongolian Beef Keto Friendly?

Mongolian beef is not typically considered keto-friendly due to the high carbohydrate content of the soy sauce and brown sugar.

However, you can modify this Instant Pot Mongolian beef recipe to make it more keto-friendly by using low-carb sweeteners in place of brown sugar, and switching out soy sauce for a low-sodium gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.

You may also want to avoid serving this dish over jasmine rice or noodles, and opting for cauliflower rice instead.

Can I Make Mongolian Beef With Ground Beef?

Yes, you can make Mongolian beef with ground beef. To do so, simply replace the sliced beef in this recipe with ground beef.

Make Instant Pot Mongolian Beef Today

Looking for a delicious and easy way to make Mongolian beef? Try making it in the Instant Pot! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

More Instant Pot Beef Recipes:

Here are more Instant Pot recipes using beef to try:

• Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
• Instant Pot Beef Chili
• Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
• Instant Pot Salisbury Steak
• Thai Steak And Noodles
• Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
• Korean BBQ Beef And Noodles
• Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
• Mexican Beef Stew
• Instant Pot Steak Fajitas