Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Introduction

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a flavorful, savory, and slightly sweet dish that combines tender beef, a rich sauce, and a touch of Asian-inspired seasoning. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking to impress guests with minimal effort. Using a slow cooker, you can enjoy tender beef with a delicious sauce that’s packed with bold flavors, all cooked together to perfection. Best of all, this recipe is completely halal, as it doesn’t include any pork, bacon, wine, or alcohol, making it suitable for everyone to enjoy.

Perfect for:

• Family dinners
• Busy weeknights
• Meal prep
• Potlucks or gatherings
• Halal-compliant meal options
• Asian-inspired cuisine lovers

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe

Here’s why Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef will become your go-to recipe for a comforting, flavorful meal:

• Tender Beef: The slow-cooking method allows the beef to become incredibly tender, absorbing all the flavors of the sauce as it cooks.
• Bold Flavor: The sauce is a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and a hint of spiciness, elevating the dish to a whole new level.
• Minimal Effort: With the slow cooker doing most of the work, this recipe requires minimal preparation and is perfect for busy days.
• Halal Ingredients: This recipe uses halal-friendly beef and ensures no alcohol or non-halal ingredients are included, making it accessible for everyone.
• Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spice level of the sauce to suit your taste preferences.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 5 hours
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 4 hours on low (or 2 hours on high)
• Servings: 4-6 servings
• Calories per serving: Approximately 350-400 calories
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 35g, Carbs: 40g, Fat: 12g

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef:

• 1 ½ pounds beef flank steak (sliced into thin strips, ensure halal beef is used)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• ¾ cup soy sauce (use halal-certified soy sauce if required)
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup water
• 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup water (for thickening sauce)
• 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced for garnish
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Ingredient Highlights

• Beef Flank Steak: Flank steak is the best cut for Mongolian beef as it’s lean and tender when cooked slowly. Make sure to choose halal-certified beef.
• Soy Sauce: The soy sauce provides the saltiness and umami flavor that’s essential in the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a deep sweetness that balances out the savory and salty elements of the dish.
• Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin sauce adds a rich, sweet, and savory flavor that enhances the depth of the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar provides acidity, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Follow these easy steps to create the perfect Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef:

Prepare the Beef and Sauce:

1. Slice the Beef: Begin by slicing the beef flank steak into thin strips against the grain. This helps ensure the meat stays tender after cooking.
2. Brown the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced beef in batches and sear them on all sides until they are browned. You don’t need to cook the beef through—just give it a good sear. Once done, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Sauté the diced onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes. Be sure not to burn the garlic.
4. Mix the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the slow cooker, stirring to combine.

Slow Cook the Beef:

5. Cook the Beef: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. The beef should become tender, and the sauce should thicken slightly.
6. Thicken the Sauce: After the beef has finished cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook for an additional 15-30 minutes on high to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.

Garnish and Serve:

7. Garnish: Once the beef is done and the sauce has thickened, stir in the green onions. Serve the Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef over steamed rice, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.
8. Enjoy: Serve this dish hot, and enjoy the sweet and savory flavors that will surely satisfy your taste buds!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef can be served in several delicious ways:

• Over Rice: The classic way to enjoy Mongolian Beef is to serve it over a bed of steamed white or brown rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful sauce, making each bite even more indulgent.
• With Noodles: Serve the beef with stir-fried noodles or rice noodles for an alternative to rice. The sauce pairs perfectly with noodles, creating a savory, flavorful meal.
• With Vegetables: Add some stir-fried vegetables, such as bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli, to the dish for added texture and flavor.
• As a Wrap: For a fun twist, serve the beef in lettuce wraps, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
• With a Side of Soup: Pair it with a light miso soup or egg drop soup for a full meal that’s both satisfying and comforting.

Additional Tips for Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Here are some tips to make your Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef even better:

• Don’t Skip the Searing: Searing the beef first adds a lot of flavor to the dish. It creates a rich caramelization on the outside of the meat, which will make the finished dish even tastier.
• Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic will make a big difference in the flavor of the sauce, giving it a more authentic and aromatic taste.
• Adjust the Heat Level: If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a bit of chili paste to the sauce.
• Let the Sauce Thicken: If the sauce isn’t thickening enough, try adding a little more cornstarch slurry and cook it on high for a bit longer.
• Make Ahead: This recipe can be made a day ahead, and the flavors will intensify overnight. Just reheat it in the slow cooker or on the stove when you’re ready to serve.

Recipe Variations of Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Here are 10 variations of Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef that you can try:

• Vegetarian Mongolian “Beef”: Replace the beef with tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version of Mongolian Beef.
• Spicy Mongolian Beef: Add more chili paste or extra crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
• Mongolian Beef with Mushrooms: Add sliced shiitake or cremini mushrooms for an earthy flavor and extra texture.
• Crispy Mongolian Beef: After cooking the beef in the slow cooker, crisp it up in a hot skillet with a bit of oil to add a crispy texture to the meat.
• Beef and Broccoli: Add florets of broccoli to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking for a delicious and healthy addition.
• Mongolian Lamb: Use lamb in place of beef for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
• Honey Mongolian Beef: Replace the brown sugar with honey for a different kind of sweetness.
• Mongolian Beef with Peppers: Add bell peppers or chili peppers to the slow cooker to enhance the dish’s flavor.
• Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry: After slow cooking the beef, stir-fry it with some vegetables in a hot wok or skillet for an additional texture.
• Mongolian Beef with Cashews: Add roasted cashews to the dish for a crunchy contrast to the tender beef.

Freezing and Storage for Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

• Freezing: You can freeze the cooked Mongolian Beef for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating in the slow cooker or on the stove.
• Storage: Store the leftover Mongolian Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little water or broth to help rehydrate the sauce.

Special Equipment for Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Here are some items that will help make this recipe even easier:

• Slow Cooker: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, allowing you to cook enough beef and sauce for 4-6 servings.
• Skillet: A large skillet is needed to sear the beef and sauté the aromatics before slow cooking.
• Whisk: A whisk helps to mix the sauce ingredients smoothly and ensures that the cornstarch slurry is well incorporated.
• Tongs: Use tongs to transfer the seared beef into the slow cooker without losing the flavor created during the searing process.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accuracy when adding the soy sauce, sugar, and other ingredients.

FAQ Section about Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

1. Can I use a different cut of beef?
   Yes, you can use other cuts such as sirloin or skirt steak, but flank steak works best for this dish due to its tenderness when cooked slowly.
2. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
   Yes, you can substitute the soy sauce with tamari or use a gluten-free soy sauce for a completely gluten-free version.
3. Can I make this dish spicier?
   Yes, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add chili paste or hot sauce to the recipe for a spicier version.
4. Can I make this without a slow cooker?
   Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop by simmering the beef and sauce for about 45 minutes to an hour until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
5. Can I add vegetables to the recipe?
   Absolutely! You can add vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the slow cooker for added flavor and texture.

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Conclusion of Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a hearty, flavorful, and tender dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying meal. With the rich combination of savory soy sauce, sweet brown sugar, and the tender beef that melts in your mouth, this dish will quickly become a favorite. Plus, with its Halal-friendly ingredients and simple preparation, you can enjoy this delicious dish on any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner or a special gathering. Enjoy this mouthwatering meal with steamed rice or your favorite side dish!