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Mongolian Ground Beef: Easy 20 Minute Dinner

Mongolian Ground Beef is a 20-minute skillet dinner made with lean ground beef, scallions, and a sweet-savory sauce.
Brown the beef, whisk together the sauce ingredients, and simmer until thickened.
Serve over warm rice or noodles for a quick, family-friendly meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Asian-inspired

Ingredients
  

For the Beef:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small bunch scallions green parts only, cut into 1-inch pieces

For the Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Optional for Serving:

  • Cooked white rice or brown rice
  • Cooked noodles
  • Sesame seeds
  • Additional sliced scallions

Instructions
 

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

  • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  • Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains. Spoon out any excess fat if necessary.

Step 2: Prepare the Mongolian Sauce

  • While the beef cooks, combine the brown sugar, water, low-sodium soy sauce, cornstarch, grated ginger, minced garlic, and optional crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.
  • Whisk thoroughly until the cornstarch dissolves and the ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 3: Add the Scallions and Sauce

  • Add the scallion pieces to the skillet with the browned beef.
  • Give the prepared sauce another quick stir, then pour it over the beef.
  • Stir gently to distribute the sauce evenly throughout the skillet.

Step 4: Simmer Until Thickened

  • Continue cooking for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • The sauce will gradually thicken into a glossy coating that clings to the beef.
  • Your Mongolian Ground Beef is ready when the sauce has thickened and the scallions have softened slightly while retaining their fresh flavor.

Step 5: Season and Serve

  • Taste the beef and add salt or black pepper if needed.
  • Spoon the finished beef over warm rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and additional scallions, if desired.
  • Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and glossy.

Notes

Protein substitutions: Ground chicken or ground turkey can replace ground beef for a lighter variation. Cook the poultry thoroughly before adding the sauce.
Vegetable additions: Broccoli, shredded carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas can add extra color and nutrition. Cook firmer vegetables until tender before combining them with the sauce.
Serving suggestions: Serve the beef over jasmine rice, brown rice, rice noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Lower-sodium option: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and avoid adding extra salt until you have tasted the finished dish.
Halal-friendly preparation: Choose halal-certified ground beef and check packaged sauce ingredients for alcohol-derived additives.