Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Homemade Recipe

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Mongolian cuisine, although often misunderstood in terms of its actual origin, offers an array of bold, savory flavors, influenced by the wide expanse of nomadic herding cultures. The Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles dish combines the best of Mongolian-style savory sauces with the comforting texture of stir-fried noodles, making it a popular recipe not only in Mongolia but in many Asian-inspired kitchens.

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Why This Recipe Works

The flavors in Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles come from the balance between savory, umami, and sweetness. The ground beef, which is typically sautéed with ginger and garlic, provides richness. The noodles absorb the sweet and salty sauce, which coats every bite. It’s a versatile recipe that you can adjust to suit your preferences, from adding extra vegetables to adjusting the sweetness or spice levels.

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

1. Boil water in a large pot, adding a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
2. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Be sure not to overcook them, as they’ll continue to cook when stir-fried.
3. Once the noodles are done, drain them and set them aside. You can toss them with a small drizzle of sesame oil to prevent sticking if desired.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
2. In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water until it forms a slurry. Add this to the sauce mixture, and set aside. The cornstarch will help thicken the sauce as it cooks.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it apart with a spatula. Stir it occasionally and cook until browned and cooked through, which should take around 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove any excess fat from the skillet if necessary. You want just a little fat left for flavor.
4. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir everything together, allowing the onions to soften and become fragrant. This will take about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Combine the Beef with the Sauce

1. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the ground beef. Stir well to coat the beef and onions in the sauce.
2. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, about 3-4 minutes. The cornstarch will help the sauce cling to the beef and create a smooth, glossy finish.
3. Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, taste and adjust the seasoning. If you’d like it sweeter, you can add a little extra sugar or hoisin sauce. If you want more saltiness, a splash of soy sauce will do the trick.

Step 5: Add the Noodles

1. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the ground beef mixture. Use tongs or a spatula to gently toss the noodles with the beef and sauce, ensuring everything is well-coated. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through and have absorbed the flavors of the sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Once the noodles are ready, garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for added flavor.
2. Serve immediately, either as a standalone dish or paired with a side of vegetables or a light soup for a complete meal.

Tips for Making the Best Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

1. Use fresh noodles: If you can, use fresh noodles instead of dried ones. They have a better texture and absorb the sauce more effectively.
2. Vegetables: Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli to the dish for extra crunch and nutrition. You can stir-fry these along with the ground beef.
3. Make it spicy: If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes, chili paste, or fresh chopped chilies to the beef mixture. Adjust the spice level to your liking.
4. Adjust the sweetness: Depending on your taste, you can control the amount of sugar and hoisin sauce in the dish. Hoisin sauce can be quite sweet, so be sure to taste the sauce and adjust accordingly.
5. Prepare the sauce ahead of time: To save time, you can mix the sauce ingredients ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This can help reduce the overall preparation time when you’re ready to cook.
6. Low-sodium soy sauce: For a healthier alternative, consider using low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the sodium content in the dish.
7. Add crunch: For added texture, sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving.

Variations

1. Vegetarian Mongolian Noodles

• Swap the ground beef with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version. The tofu should be pressed and cubed before stir-frying to ensure it holds its shape and absorbs the flavors well.

2. Chicken Mongolian Noodles

• If you prefer chicken, use ground chicken or diced chicken breast instead of beef. The cooking process is similar, but chicken may cook slightly faster.

3. Spicy Mongolian Noodles

• For an extra kick, try adding Sriracha or chili oil into the sauce or directly into the beef while cooking. You can adjust the spice level based on your tolerance.

4. Mongolian Beef with Vegetables

• Add a variety of vegetables, like carrots, mushrooms, spinach, or snow peas to enhance the dish. Stir-fry them alongside the beef for an added crunch and flavor.

Conclusion

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is a flavorful, comforting dish that brings together a variety of textures and flavors. The sweet-savory sauce, tender ground beef, and satisfying noodles come together in this easy-to-make recipe that can be tailored to your taste. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight meal or a dish to impress guests, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. With the option to adjust the level of spice, sweetness, and veggies, it can be made to suit a variety of dietary preferences.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
20 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 8 oz (225g) noodles (egg noodles or any type you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for cooking)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (or sugar substitute like monk fruit for low-carb)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles: In a large pot, cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the ground beef: While the noodles are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if needed.
3. Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion, garlic, and ginger to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes fragrant.
4. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
5. Combine everything: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and stir well. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly and coat the beef in the sauce.
6. Add noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss them in the sauce, ensuring they are evenly coated with the beef mixture. Let the noodles heat through (about 2-3 minutes).
7. Finish and serve: Drizzle the sesame oil over the noodles and toss to combine. Serve the Mongolian ground beef noodles garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds (optional).

Notes

Noodles: Feel free to use any noodles you like—egg noodles, rice noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.

Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar (or sugar substitute) to your preferred level of sweetness. You can also substitute the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup if you prefer.

Protein: This recipe works well with other proteins like ground turkey or chicken if you’d like to switch it up.

Vegetables: For added nutrition, you can toss in some vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas during the cooking process.

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