Description
This Mongolian beef crock pot recipe transforms simple ingredients into a tender, savory-sweet dish with a glossy sauce, perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, making it an easy, impressive dinner for parties or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
- 4 green onions, sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
- Cooking spray or oil for crock pot insert
Instructions
- Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain (about 1/4 inch thick). Toss slices in a large bowl with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and water.
- Spray or lightly oil the crock pot insert. Add the beef, pour the sauce over, and add carrots if using. Stir to coat the beef.
- Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and sauce has thickened. If sauce is thin, leave lid off for last 30 minutes.
- Stir in sliced green onions just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve over hot rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups. Garnish with extra green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Slice beef thinly for best texture; freeze steak for 30 minutes before slicing for easier handling. Don’t skip the cornstarch step for a silky sauce. Layer veggies under beef for even cooking. Stir halfway through if possible. Let the dish rest 10 minutes before serving for thicker sauce. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos. Adjust sweetness and salt to taste. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200g) p
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 27
Keywords: Mongolian beef, crock pot, slow cooker, easy dinner, Chinese, beef recipe, party food, gluten-free option, meal prep, crowd-pleaser