Easiest Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe
Tender slices of steak slow-cooked with soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger create a sweet and savory sauce that will make your taste buds dance with happiness! Enjoy Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef dish any time you want an Asian dish that’s just as good (or better) than you would get at your favorite Chinese restaurant.
My whole family loves Asian-inspired dishes. Although we usually opt for dinners such as Slow Cooker Orange Chicken or Chinese Chicken and Broccoli, occasionally I like to change things up!
Everyone loves Korean Beef And Broccoli.
And now I have another delicious weeknight dinner for anyone who loves Asian food!
One important parenting tip I’ve learned over time is that the most delicious meals are often simple ones. This crock pot Mongolian beef is easy to make, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and completely tasty and satisfying!
Even my kids (who can’t agree on anything) love this one!
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
- Easy recipe – need ideas for dinner tonight? This great meal will compete with your favorite takeout!
- Bursting with flavor – slow cooking it in the crock pot helps the flavors marry and shine.
- Crowd-favorite – this meal always gets rave reviews from family and friends, making it your new favorite dinner for guests or the entire family.
- Easy meal – while your slow cooker recipe is cooking, you can easily make your sides so everything comes together at the same time.
- Great weeknight meal – This dinner is super simple to bring together – even for busy families on the busiest nights!
Ingredients Needed For Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
- Steak – thinly sliced
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable Oil – canola oil or olive oil work well too
- Soy Sauce – low-sodium
- Brown Sugar – light or regular
- Spices – Ground Ginger, minced garlic
- Green Onions – sliced for garnish
NOTE: For full recipe details, please refer to the handy recipe card at the bottom of this post!
How To Make Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Step 1 – Coat And Brown Beef
Completely coat the steak slices in cornstarch.
In a large skillet or frying pan, add oil and bring to medium-high heat.
Brown the steak slices pan until lightly browned, approximately 5 minutes.
Step 2 – Make Marinade
Whisk together oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic in a separate bowl.
Step 3 – Add Ingredients To Slow Cooker And Cook
Place the browned steak slices in the slow cooker along with the marinade. Cook for 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low setting.
At the end of the cooking process, add the green onions and allow to cook for about 10 more minutes.
Step 4 – Serve And Enjoy!
Serve warm. ENJOY!
Recipe Notes And Expert Tips
- When slicing the steak, cut it thinly against the grain. You should slice perpendicular to the visible muscle fibers along the steak. This will result in shorter muscle fibers and a more tender texture. Use a sharp knife and aim for slices around 1/4 inch thick.
- To save a little time, place the beef strips and cornstarch in a Ziploc bag and shake until the beef strips are fully coated. Shake excess cornstarch off as you remove the strips from the bag.
How To Serve Flavorful Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Serve – this dish is delicious on top of noodles, egg noodles, riced cauliflower, white rice, or brown rice.
Side Dish – Add some fresh veggies (especially green ones) on the side such as steamed broccoli, green beans, asparagus, Broccoli Salad or Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.
Want to keep it Asian-themed? Enjoy these Loaded Crab Rangoon Nachos as an appetizer or side dish!
Dessert – Streusel Apple Cream Cheese Pie or Maw Maw’s Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler is perfect for a sweet treat after the main meal.
Variations Of Easy Mongolian Beef To Try
- Add sesame seeds as a garnish.
- For a vegetarian spin on this dish, use carrot sheds or chips, onions, mushrooms, and water chestnuts. In the last 30 minutes, add broccoli and bell peppers to keep them crispy.
- Saute some shitake mushrooms in butter and white wine and add them to the dish.
- Like a little extra heat? Sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili garlic sauce, or sriracha sauce to spice it up a bit.
- Chicken or pork are delicious substitutes for the steak if you prefer. You’ll likely not need to cook as long.
Make It Gluten-Free
Most brands of soy sauce are not considered gluten-free as they contain wheat. However, there are some gluten-free options, like coconut aminos, to choose from – check labels and grab one of those.
The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so no worries about using them.
Easy Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe Storage
Leftovers are scarce in my house when I serve this, but if you have any, they will keep nicely in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 – 4 days.
To freeze, allow to cool completely, place in a freezer-safe container, and place in freezer for up to 3 – 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef FAQs
What are the best cuts of steak to use for this recipe?
Several different cuts of beef, such as skirt steak, flank steak, or sirloin steak, will work well for this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef recipe. Remember that some cuts may be a little more expensive than others.
Can I make this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is a great dish to make ahead of time and keep in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
Would it be beneficial to use a slow cooker liner for this recipe?
That is totally up to you. I have a non-stick slow cooker pot, so I tend not to use the liners. The liners definitely help to make clean-up a bit easier.
More Slow Cooker Recipes To Try
- Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter
- Easy Three Bean Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Pin For Later!
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef features tender slices of steak slow-cooked in a sweet and savory sauce for a tasty dish everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 pound steak, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp minced garlic cloves, in water
- green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Toss your steak in the cornstarch until the steak slices are fully coated.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a skillet and heat to medium-high.
- Sauté the steak in the skillet for 5 minutes until the steak is slightly browned.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the remaining oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Whisk.
- Add the steak to the slow cooker with the marinade and slow cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
- Once cooked, add the green onions and let cook for 10 more minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
