Super Easy Mongolian Beef (P.F. Chang's Copycat) - The Recipe Critic (2024)

This Mongolian beef is crazy tender with a crispy seared edge that gets coated in a bold sticky sauce. It’s way better than P.F. Changs and so easy to make at home!

If you want to try making this in the slow cooker, we love this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef. It’s one of the top recipes on the website!

Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe

We love this slow cooker Mongolian beef so much at our house. It melts in your mouth perfectly and has the most amazing flavor. Even my picky eaters are always asking me to make it. So I knew that it was time to make an easy version that takes less than 30 minutes to make and tastes even better than….. dare I say… P.F. Chang’s!?

The magic to this meal is the crispy pan-fried beef that is so incredibly tender. My family likes it saucy so it’s smothered in that thick, delicious glaze. The flavor is unreal. Serve it up with some fresh steamed rice and these Asian lettuce wraps for a restaurant-quality meal that the whole family will go crazy over.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple ingredients combine to make the most tender and flavorful Mongolian beef! I love that so many of them are basic cooking staples and things you’ll already have on hand. Exact measurement are in the recipe card below.

• Flank Steak: Flank steak is a lean and flavorful cut of beef that’s perfect for Mongolian Beef. Slicing it thin ensures it cooks quickly and absorbs the tasty sauce.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to coat the sliced beef. It creates a light, crispy texture when cooked and helps the sauce cling to the meat, making each bite flavorful.
• Vegetable Oil: Used to cook the beef slices, giving them a nice sear.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds that classic umami flavor and a touch of saltiness to the dish.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness to the sauce and also gives it a rich, caramelized glaze.
• Water: To thin out the sauce.
• Minced Ginger: So the sauce has a zesty and slightly spicy kick.
• Garlic Cloves: Minced to add savory flavor to each bite.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For some subtle heat.
• Green Onions: Sprinkled on top for a fresh garnish.

How to Make Mongolian Beef

Grab your ingredients and get ready to make the most flavor-packed beef ever! Since it only takes 25 minutes from start to finish, it’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights.

1. Coat Beef: Add the sliced flank steak and cornstarch to a large Ziploc bag. Then toss the beef to coat evenly.
2. Sear: Heat a large skillet to high heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the steak in a single layer and cook on each side for about a minute until the edges just start to brown. Once the steak is cooked, remove and then set aside on a plate.
3. Prepare Sauce: In a small mixing bowl combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, ginger, and garlic. Add the sauce to the pan and bring to a boil.
4. Combine: Add the steak to the sauce and allow the sauce to thicken for a couple of minutes.
5. Garnish: Toss with the chopped green onions and then sprinkle with red pepper flakes.