Wholesome Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry with Colorful Vegetables
Elevate your dinner routine with this Wholesome Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry, a delightful twist on the classic dish that incorporates a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables. This healthier version is perfect for families, ensuring flavor and nutrition in every bite. The tender flank steak is perfectly coated in a savory sauce, complemented by the crispness of red bell peppers, snow peas, and Broccolini. Kids will adore this dish, making it a hit at the dinner table while parents appreciate the boost of veggies.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
flank steak
1 lb (sliced into 1/4 inch strips)
cornstarch
1/4 cup (for coating beef)
canola oil
2 tablespoons (divided, for stir-frying)
red bell pepper
1 (cut into chunks)
snow peas
1 cup (trimmed)
Broccolini
1 cup (tops only)
green onions
4 (sliced)
grated gingerroot
1 tablespoon
hoisin sauce
1/4 cup
light soy sauce or tamari
1/4 cup
brown sugar
1 tablespoon
black bean garlic sauce
2 tablespoons (available at Asian specialty grocery stores)
Instructions
1
1. Start by wrapping the flank steak in plastic wrap and placing it in the freezer for about 1 hour. This will firm up the meat, making it easier to slice thinly.
2
2. After the meat is firm, slice the flank steak into 1/4 inch strips against the grain. Toss the strips with the cornstarch in a bowl and let them rest for 15 minutes to allow the cornstarch to coat the beef.
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3. In a separate bowl, prepare the sauce by combining the hoisin sauce, soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar, and black bean garlic sauce. Adjust the flavors if needed to suit your taste: add more soy for saltiness, more brown sugar for sweetness, or more bean sauce for umami.
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4. Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced red bell pepper, snow peas, Broccolini, and grated ginger. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside.
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5. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of canola oil. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry the beef for about 4 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
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6. Return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the beef. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through and well-coated.
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7. Serve immediately over a bed of fluffy white rice.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wholesome Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry?
It is a healthier twist on the classic Mongolian beef dish that incorporates a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables like red bell pepper, snow peas, and Broccolini.
What cut of beef is recommended for this recipe?
This recipe uses 1 lb of flank steak, sliced into 1/4 inch strips.
Why should the flank steak be placed in the freezer for an hour?
Freezing the meat for about 1 hour firms it up, which makes it much easier to slice thinly against the grain.
How thick should the beef strips be sliced?
The flank steak should be sliced into 1/4 inch strips.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in this recipe?
The beef is tossed in 1/4 cup of cornstarch to coat it, which helps the beef brown and allows the sauce to thicken and cling to the meat.
How long should the beef rest after being coated in cornstarch?
The beef should rest for about 15 minutes after being tossed with cornstarch.
What ingredients are used to make the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is made by combining hoisin sauce, light soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar, and black bean garlic sauce.
How can I adjust the flavor of the Mongolian beef sauce?
You can add more soy sauce for saltiness, more brown sugar for sweetness, or more black bean garlic sauce for a deeper umami flavor.
What vegetables are included in this stir-fry?
The recipe includes a red bell pepper, a cup of trimmed snow peas, and a cup of Broccolini tops.
What type of oil is used for cooking?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of canola oil, divided for stir-frying the vegetables and the beef separately.
How long should I stir-fry the vegetables?
The red bell pepper, snow peas, Broccolini, and ginger should be stir-fried for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.
At what heat should the vegetables be cooked?
The vegetables should be cooked over medium-high heat.
How long does it take to cook the beef?
The beef should be stir-fried over high heat for about 4 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
When do I add the ginger to the dish?
The grated gingerroot is added to the skillet at the same time as the bell peppers, snow peas, and Broccolini.
How is the final dish assembled?
After the beef is cooked, return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
What is the best way to serve this Mongolian Beef?
It should be served immediately over a bed of fluffy white rice.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your other sauces are gluten-free.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is designed to be kid-friendly and is a great way to encourage children to eat a variety of colorful vegetables.
Where can I find black bean garlic sauce?
Black bean garlic sauce is typically available at Asian specialty grocery stores.
How many green onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 sliced green onions.
What part of the Broccolini should I use?
You should use only the tops of the Broccolini for this stir-fry.
How much ginger is required?
You will need 1 tablespoon of grated gingerroot.
How much hoisin sauce is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce.
How much brown sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
What makes this recipe 'wholesome'?
It is considered wholesome because it incorporates a high volume of fresh vegetables compared to traditional Mongolian beef recipes.
How should the red bell pepper be cut?
The red bell pepper should be cut into chunks.
Do I cook the beef and vegetables together the whole time?
No, you stir-fry the vegetables first, remove them from the pan, cook the beef, and then combine them at the end.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 12 main ingredients in this recipe.
How much light soy sauce is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of light soy sauce or tamari.
What is the recommended preparation for the snow peas?
The snow peas should be trimmed before being added to the stir-fry.