Mongolian Ground Beef and Noodles Recipe
This Mongolian Ground Beef and Noodles recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender ground beef tossed in a savory-sweet sauce with hearty udon noodles. Infused with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of spice from red pepper flakes, it’s a comforting meal perfect for weeknights.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Beef and Noodles
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 10 ounces udon noodles
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons ginger paste (or grated ginger)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- Cook Noodles: Prepare the udon noodles according to the package directions, then drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until mostly browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Mix Sauce: While the beef cooks, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, hoisin sauce, ginger paste, and red pepper flakes in a bowl to create the flavorful sauce.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the browned beef and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and the flavors meld.
- Add Noodles: Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the beef and sauce mixture.
- Thicken Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch and water together to create a slurry, then pour it into the skillet. Stir continuously and cook until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency that clings to the noodles and beef.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and serve the Mongolian ground beef and noodles immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Red pepper flakes are optional; adjust to your preferred spice level.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease; drain for a healthier dish.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari and ensure udon noodles are gluten-free.
- Freshly grated ginger can be used instead of ginger paste for a more robust flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Mongolian beef, ground beef recipe, udon noodles, quick dinner, Asian stir-fry, hoisin sauce, ginger garlic beef