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Easy Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinners

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A flavorful and tender slow cooker Mongolian beef recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights. The sweet-savory sauce and tender beef strips make it a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 cup sliced green onions
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil (optional for searing)

Instructions

  1. Trim any excess fat from the beef and slice thinly against the grain into ¼ inch thick strips. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  3. Optional: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear beef strips for 1-2 minutes until browned on edges. Do not cook through.
  4. Transfer seared or raw beef to slow cooker. Pour sauce over beef and stir to coat evenly. Cover with lid.
  5. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 1.5-2 hours until beef is tender but not falling apart.
  6. About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir slurry into slow cooker, turn heat to HIGH if on low, and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.
  7. Stir in sliced green onions just before serving.
  8. Serve hot over steamed white or brown rice, or noodles. Garnish with extra green onions or toasted sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking is optional but recommended for added flavor and texture. Adjust sweetness and saltiness of the sauce before thickening by tasting and tweaking. Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version. Add quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas in the last hour for extra freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, Mongolian beef, easy dinner, weeknight meal, beef recipe, slow cooker beef, sweet and savory sauce

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/easy-slow-cooker-mongolian-beef-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinners/