Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

What is Mongolian Beef?

Mongolian beef (the name doesn’t actually refer to anything Mongolian) originating from regions of China, is typically made with sliced beef cooked with a rich sauce that includes soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and hoisin sauce. The meat is tender and falls apart in your mouth with every bite.

It’s no wonder Mongolian beef has become a classic in many Asian-inspired restaurants and is a favorite among meat enthusiasts. I fell in love with cooking Mongolian beef in my air fryer; it’s a quick and easy way to enjoy the savory and sweet flavors of this delicious dish without leaving your home.

I love to add green onions and sesame seeds to Mongolian beef. I feel that it adds a pop of color and a layer of texture and flavor. This Mongolian beef recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. We love serving it over rice with a side of Air Fryer broccoli.

Looking to step up your steak game? May I also recommend some perfectly cooked Air Fryer Steak Bites and Filet Mignon with a scrumptious garlic butter sauce? It’s a quick and easy way to get restaurant-quality flavor and texture at home, with a beautifully charred exterior and perfectly juicy interior.

Ingredients:

Please refer to the recipe ingredients and nutrition information at the bottom of this post. Gather the following ingredients for this delightful dish:

• Steak. Cut into thin slices. Choose a cut that’s lean and thin, that way it cooks evenly and quickly. Flank steak or sirloin are great options that will give you an authentic taste and texture.
• Cornstarch. It is used as a thickening agent to create that sticky, sweet glaze that coats the beef. Cornstarch also helps to tenderize the beef, making it juicy and succulent.
• 1 tablespoons of olive oil
• Soy sauce. It adds flavor and also helps to tenderize the beef. The salt content in the soy sauce helps to break down the proteins in the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy beef. I feel that soy sauce gives Mongolian beef its distinct umami flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the brown sugar and the spiciness from the red pepper flakes.
• Brown sugar. It’s another key ingredient to helping caramelize the beef and create the sticky sauce. Brown sugar has a higher moisture content than granulated sugar, which makes it perfect for creating a mouthwatering sauce. It also balances out the saltiness of the soy sauce,
• Hoisin sauce. It’s a key ingredient in many Asian dishes, including the popular air fryer Mongolian beef recipe. This sweet and savory sauce, made from fermented soybean paste, vinegar, garlic, and sugar, adds depth and complexity to the dish. Its rich, thick texture also helps to create a sticky glaze that coats the tender strips of beef. However, if you don’t have hoisin sauce on hand, Oyster sauce, plum sauce, or a mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar can all provide a similar flavor profile, but be aware that each may alter the overall taste slightly.
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup of sliced green onions (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Beef. Start by selecting tender cuts of beef. Flank steak or sirloin are great options that can be easily cut into thin slices. Cut it against the grain into ¼ inch. In a shallow bowl, coat the sliced beef with olive oil and then cornstarch.

Cook the Beef in the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once the air fryer is preheated, add the beef in batches to the air fryer basket or tray. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes (flipping halfway) or until the beef is browned and crispy. (see picture below). Once the beef is finished cooking, remove it from the air fryer and set aside.

Make the Sauce. As the beef cooks, prepare the Mongolian beef sauce in a separate bowl by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, and minced garlic. Bring to a light simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved. Then add cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Set aside.

Mix the Sauce and the Beef. Once the beef has been air-fried to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer basket. Add it to the pan with Mongolian sauce, and toss the beef gently until it is fully coated. Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

What to serve with Mongolian Beef?

Mongolian beef is both sweet and spicy. Pair it with some steamed rice or crispy vegetables, such as Air fryer Broccoli or Air fried Asparagus. Enjoy your restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home.

Leftovers

Store the leftover Mongolian beef in an airtight container. Refrigerate the beef within two hours of cooking to maintain its freshness and flavor. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer for 4 minutes stirring halfway.

How to repurpose leftovers? You could chop it up and add it to a stir fry or Air fryer Steak Melt for an easy lunch or dinner option. Use the beef as a filling for homemade Air fryer Egg rolls. Toss it together with some veggies and rice for a quick and satisfying Buddha bowl.

May I recommend more of my favorites?

Air fryer Ribeye. This juicy and tender cut of beef is perfectly seared to perfection with a crisp outside and a melt-in-your-mouth inside.

These Air fryer Lamb chops are a must-try. They come out succulent and flavorful with a crispy exterior that pairs perfectly with a bold red wine.

For a classic crowd-pleaser, try the crispy and tender air fryer chicken breast. This dish is versatile, flavorful, and comes out moist and tender every time.