Wholesome Mongolian-Inspired Ground Beef Bowl Recipe

These Nutritious Mongolian Ground Beef Bowls are quick, simple, and can be prepared in just 20 minutes! Featuring a sweet and savory sauce, this protein-packed dinner is ideal for hectic weeknights or meal prep.

Forego takeout and whip up these Nutritious Mongolian Ground Beef Bowls at home! Bursting with bold flavors, lean protein, and a scrumptious sticky sauce that comes together in only 20 minutes for the entire family. This one-pan meal is perfect for meal prep or those busy evenings when you’re unsure of what to cook (or don’t feel like cooking). Simple yet incredibly satisfying, it’s the kind of dish you’ll make once and then want over and over!

Reasons to Love This

• Fast and simple – everything cooks together in just one skillet within 20 minutes for a tasty and easy weeknight meal.
• Healthier than takeout – this dish is lower in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, making it a much better choice than grabbing food from your favorite Chinese restaurant!
• Well-balanced and filling – loaded with protein and fresh veggies that provide fiber and nutrients.
• Ideal for meal prep – these beef bowls reheat wonderfully for nutritious lunches or dinners, and can be easily tailored to your taste!

Ingredients You Will Need

• ground beef – Opt for 90/10 or 93/7 to reduce fat. You can also easily swap the beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even beef steak.
• broccoli – You’ll need around 3 cups of bite-sized broccoli florets, using either fresh or frozen broccoli as you prefer.
• red bell pepper – This adds vibrant color, natural sweetness, and a slight crunch. I prefer slicing the bell pepper into thin strips.
• olive oil – I prefer using high-quality olive oil or another neutral oil to sauté the vegetables and brown the meat, ensuring it’s cold-pressed and organic for the best flavor.
• garlic – You can use freshly chopped garlic cloves or minced garlic from a jar.
• ginger – Contributes a bit of zest and really balances the richness of the sauce. If fresh ginger isn’t available, substitute with a half teaspoon of ground ginger.
• green onions – Enhances flavor and adds color.
• sauce ingredients – A tasty blend of soy sauce (I opt for low-sodium soy sauce), beef broth, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey or light brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken.

How to Prepare Mongolian Beef Bowls

1. Make the sauce. The first step involves whisking together soy sauce, beef broth, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. In a different small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water until there are no lumps to create a slurry. Mix the cornstarch slurry into the stir fry sauce and set aside.
2. Cook the beef. In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil and cook ground beef until it starts to brown and crumble. Drain any excess grease as necessary.
3. Sauté the vegetables. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the broccoli and red bell pepper slices, cooking everything for 5 to 6 minutes until the veggies are slightly tender but still crisp, and the beef is no longer pink.
4. Combine everything. Pour in the sauce and stir thoroughly. Lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Turn off the heat and fold in the green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
5. Plate up. We enjoy serving this Mongolian ground beef and veggies over rice, but you could also pair it with cauliflower rice, noodles, or enjoy it on its own. Top with sesame seeds, additional green onions, and savor!

Tips for the Ultimate Mongolian Beef Bowls

• Prep ingredients beforehand – this Mongolian beef and veggies cooks swiftly, so preparing and measuring everything ahead allows for quick assembly.
• Opt for lean ground beef – this prevents the dish from becoming too greasy and enhances sauce adhesion.
• Bright green broccoli – if you want your broccoli to remain vibrant, consider blanching it briefly in boiling water prior to adding it to the skillet.
• Don’t skip on the fresh ginger – it imparts a distinctive flavor that elevates this dish beyond typical takeout!
• Choose low-sodium soy sauce – standard dark soy sauce can be excessively salty for my taste, hence lower sodium soy sauce works great here. Alternatives like coconut aminos or tamari can be used for gluten-free options.
• Taste and modify – this sweet, sticky stir fry sauce is among my favorites, but feel free to taste and modify the sauce as necessary to meet your preference.
• Serving ideas – this stir fry pairs deliciously with brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even noodles.

Variations

• Make it gluten-free – simply replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to create a gluten-free version of this recipe.
• Add spice – include extra red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a drizzle of sriracha, or chili garlic sauce to bring more heat and flavor.
• Low-carb option – while we enjoy serving this over rice, consider using cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower carb alternative.
• Vegetarian adaptation – replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu for a meatless choice.
• More veggies – feel free to incorporate snap peas, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, or mushrooms for added nutrition. Use your favorite vegetables!

Preparation and Storage

To Store: These Mongolian ground beef and veggies can be kept in a sealed, airtight container for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of beef broth or a few tablespoons of water to loosen the sauce.

To Freeze: The cooked beef mixture (without rice) can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

More Stir Fry Recipes

Hope you all enjoy this Italian Chopped Salad recipe! If you love this salad as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!