Description
A quick and flavorful Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe featuring tender ground beef cooked in a savory, umami-rich sauce served over perfectly cooked noodles. This dish combines the bold flavors of soy, hoisin, oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger, finished with a touch of heat and garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds for a satisfying meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 8 ounces noodles (lo mein or ramen noodles)
Beef and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef (lean)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (minced)
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for deeper umami)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
Garnish
- 3 green onions (sliced plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain them thoroughly and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook it, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the cooked beef. Sauté for about one minute, stirring frequently until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare and add the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and optional red pepper flakes. Pour this mixture over the beef in the skillet and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Thicken the sauce: Mix the cornstarch with water to form a slurry, then stir it into the skillet. Continue cooking and stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef nicely.
- Toss noodles with beef and sauce: Add the drained noodles to the skillet and toss well to ensure the noodles are fully coated with the flavorful sauce and beef mixture. Heat through evenly.
- Finish with green onions: Stir in the sliced green onions to add freshness and a mild onion flavor. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the prepared noodles to serving bowls or plates. Garnish each serving with extra sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- Oyster sauce can be omitted for a slightly different but still delicious flavor, or replaced with vegetarian mushroom sauce if needed.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes amount based on your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and calories.
- Adding vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas can enhance texture and nutrition.
- The cornstarch slurry is essential to achieve the thick, glossy sauce characteristic of Mongolian-style dishes.
