Tried And True Recipes Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
If you love Chinese food, you must have tried Mongolian beef at least once in your life. This dish is a classic from the Chinese cuisine, and it is known for its tender meat, sweet and savory flavor, and the perfect combination of spices.
If you're a fan of slow cooker recipes, you'll be happy to know that you can make Mongolian beef in a slow cooker as well. In fact, this way of cooking the dish is even better than the traditional one, as the meat becomes incredibly tender and juicy, and the flavors blend together perfectly.
Ingredients
Before we get into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak, sliced into thin strips
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 green onions, sliced
These ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store, and you probably have most of them in your pantry already. Once you have everything you need, you can start preparing the dish.
Directions
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by slicing the flank steak into thin strips, against the grain.
- Place the steak in a large bowl, and add the cornstarch. Toss to coat the meat evenly.
- In a separate bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the meat, and stir to combine.
- Transfer the meat and the sauce to a slow cooker, and cook on low for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, add the sliced green onions to the slow cooker, and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- When the meat is cooked, it should be tender and juicy, and the sauce should be thick and flavorful.
- Serve the Mongolian beef over a bed of rice or noodles, and garnish with additional green onions, if desired.
That's it! This recipe is easy to follow, and the results are amazing. You'll love the tender meat, the sweet and savory flavor, and the perfect combination of spices. Plus, you can make a large batch of this dish and enjoy it throughout the week.
Variations
If you want to switch things up a bit, you can try these variations:
- Use chicken instead of beef for a lighter version of the dish.
- Add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers to the slow cooker for a complete meal.
- Make the dish spicier by adding more red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Use a different type of meat, like pork or lamb, for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
These variations are easy to make, and they will add a new dimension to the dish. You can experiment with different ingredients and spices until you find the perfect combination for your taste.
Conclusion
Mongolian beef is a classic Chinese dish that is loved by many. With this slow cooker recipe, you can enjoy the same amazing flavors and tender meat without spending hours in the kitchen. The ingredients are easy to find, and the steps are simple to follow. Plus, you can customize the recipe to your liking and create your own variations. Give this recipe a try and see why it's a tried and true favorite.