Mongolian Beef

by Nathaniel Smith
Star 4.2
    10m prep time
    30m total time
    Easy level
    16 ingredients

This dish is so tender and crispy that I often have to stop myself from eating the beef before it hits the sauce. The sauce is what makes the dish so special, as it is rich with a perfect balance of flayva from the likes of soy sauce, oyster sauce and brown sugar. This recipe is ideal fakeaway inspiration for those who love Chinese takeout, as it is easy to make at home and can be customised to suit your taste preferences. I first tried this in America, it’s not something I really see on menus in the UK, but we really are missing out because the ingredients are very easily sourced. Don’t worry though, I’m here to come to the rescue and share these beautiful flayvas.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Alright, so the first thing you want to do is slice your steak against the grain. Start by identifying the direction of the grain. Look closely at the steak and you should be able to see the long, thin lines running through it. This is the grain. Once you’ve identified the grain, take a sharp knife and position it perpendicular to the direction of the grain. This means the blade should be running across the lines of the grain. Make a cut across the steak, slicing through it against the grain.

Step 2

Cut into 5 mm (¼ inch) thick slices and marinate with the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1/2 tsp white pepper, 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda and 2 tablespoons of cornflour (quantities are for 4 servings) for 15–20 minutes. This is going to tenderise your meat!

Step 3

While you wait, combine the 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, beef stock, 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornflour for the sauce in a bowl. Mix and pop to the side.

Step 4

Now mix the beef; if you find it’s a little dry, add 1 tablespoon of water to loosen it up. Then coat the beef in a bowl with an extra 2 tbsp of cornflour, working in batches and ensuring you shake off any excess marinade.

Step 5

Heat the 80 ml vegetable oil in a wok and sear the beef for 1–2 minutes. Turn it over and let the other side sear for another 30 seconds–1 minute. Then remove from the heat and place on a tray lined with kitchen paper. At this point your beef should be golden, slightly brown and crispy.

Step 6

Drain the oil, leaving 1–2 tablespoons in the wok. Over medium heat, fry the garlic and ginger for 15–30 seconds max, moving constantly so it doesn’t burn. Then toss in the dried red chillies, if using. Stir-fry for another 30 seconds until the chillies are slightly toasted – they will also go from dark red to a more vibrant red.

Step 7

Add the sauce, then give it a mix to ensure the cornflour hasn’t settled. Stir to combine over medium heat, or until the sauce has thickened. Bang in the beef and spring onions and get everything coated in them glorious flayvas!

Step 8

Serve immediately, garnished with the sesame seed and enjoy with white rice.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 4 servings
  • 2 tbsp Sesame Seeds 1 x Sainsbury's Sesame Seeds 100g
  • 80ml Vegetable Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Vegetable Oil 1L
  • 500g Skirt Steak, bavette or flank will also work 1 x Sainsbury's Beef Skirt (300g-450g)
  • 5 tbsp Light Soy Sauce 1 x Sainsbury's Light Soy Sauce 150ml
  • 8 Dried Red Chinese Chillies, or use half the amount of fresh small chillies 1 x Fudco Red Whole Chilli 100g
  • 0.5tsp White Pepper 1 x Sainsbury's Ground White Pepper 44g
  • 1.5tbsp Shaoxing Wine 1 x Yutaka Shaoxing Rice Wine 15cl
  • 5 Garlic Cloves, minced 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 1tbsp Fresh Ginger, minced 1 x Sainsbury's Ginger 100g
  • 4 Spring Onions, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) pieces 1 x Sainsbury's Spring Onions Bunch 100g
  • 2tbsp Soft Brown Sugar 1 x Sainsbury's Fairtrade Light Soft Brown Sugar 500g
  • 1tbsp Oyster Sauce 1 x Sainsbury's Oyster Sauce 150ml
  • 180ml Beef Stock, or water 1 x Oxo Reduced Salt Beef Stock Cubes x12 71g
  • 440g Cooked Jasmine Rice, to serve 2 x Ben's Original Jasmine Microwave Rice 220g
  • 0.75tsp Bicarbonate Of Soda 1 x Sainsbury's Bicarbonate Of Soda 180g
  • 5 tbsp Cornflour 1 x Sainsbury's Cornflour 500g
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