This Mongolian Beef slow cooker recipe has flank steak that is slow cooked with fresh garlic, ginger, and shredded carrots. It's all drenched in an easy-to-make brown sauce that is made with water, sesame seed oil, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Serve this dish over rice for the entire family to enjoy at dinner time.
This easy recipe is like enjoying your favorite takeout recipe at home. Make your own Mongolian beef recipe with bold flavors in the crock pot when you are craving your favorite Chinese takeout.
Slow cooker Mongolian Beef is a delicious recipe that is simple and easy to make. Sliced flank steak is slow cooked in a savory sauce that is made of water, sesame oil, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Fresh garlic, fresh ginger, and shredded carrots bring in more flavor to this delicious recipe.
I love making easy slow cooker meals for busy nights or when it's too hot out to fire up the oven. Life has been busy around our home so I have been turning to my crock pot to help with dinner more often lately.
This Mongolian beef recipe has been a hit with my whole family and it's simple to make with easy cleanup. The best part is this slow cooker recipe has delicious flavors. And pairs perfectly with white or brown rice. Making it an ideal meal for me.
Let the slow cooker do all the work for this easy to make beef recipe. Serve over white rice with egg rolls or crab rangoons for a complete dinner idea.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Mongolian Beef slow cooker recipe is an absolute winner for busy nights and your takeout cravings.
First, it brings all the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout straight to your kitchen. It's like your go-to takeout, but better, because you're in control.
Preparation is a breeze, making it perfect for hectic days. Toss the ingredients into your trusty crockpot and let it work its magic. The result? A homemade meal that's not only bursting with bold and balanced flavors but also allows for customization.
Pair it with your choice of white rice, chow mein noodles, or a side of steamed broccoli, and you have a complete, satisfying dinner that your family will adore.
Ingredients Needed
- Flank Steak: You can substitute with sirloin or skirt steak if you prefer.
- Corn Starch: Coats the steak for tenderness and thickens the sauce.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty flavor.
- Soy Sauce: I recommend reduced sodium, but you can also use tamari to make this dish gluten-free
- Brown Sugar: I recommend dark brown sugar for a richer sauce.
- Garlic: Infuses an aromatic and savory note.
- Ginger: Adds a subtle spicy kick and warmth.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adjustable or omit this ingredient based on your family's flavor preferences.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots provide the dish with sweetness and texture.
- Green Onions: Brings a fresh and slightly oniony flavor.
- Sesame Seeds: Optional for garnish, can be toasted for added flavor.
How To Make This Mongolian Beef Slow Cooker Recipe
- Place the thinly sliced flank steak into a ziplock bag and add the cornstarch. Seal the bag and shake it to evenly coat the steak with the cornstarch.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the water, sesame oil, soy sauce (use reduced sodium or tamari for a gluten-free option), brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture until the brown sugar dissolves.
- In your crockpot, add the cornstarch-coated flank steak and the shredded carrots.
- Pour the sauce mixture from the bowl into the crockpot, ensuring that all the ingredients are well mixed.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and set it to the low heat setting. Allow it to cook for 2.5 to 3 hours. The slow cooking process will make the flank steak tender and let the flavors meld together.
- Once the cooking time is complete, stir in the thinly sliced green onions to add a fresh, onion-like flavor without being overpowering.
- Serve the Mongolian beef over rice and garnish it with sesame seeds for a delightful crunch and extra sesame flavor (optional).
Recipe Tips
- Cutting the flank steak into thin slices and against the grain helps the beef slow cook to fork tender.
- To cut back on sodium I use reduced sodium soy sauce.
- When cutting the flank steak it's okay if the steak is slightly frozen still. Being slightly frozen will help the steak to cut easier.
- I have been buying my flank steak at Sam's Club. Buying it at Sam's has been cheaper than at my local grocery store. When buying flank steak at Sam's Club it comes with two flanks. Since prices are going up I find it better to buy in bulk like this. Then I use my food saver to vacuum seal one of the flanks to use for another dinner.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
What To Serve With Mongolian Beef
We love to enjoy Mongolian beef over white rice. But this easy crock pot Asian inspired recipe would also taste great with chow mein noodles.
Serve with egg rolls or some crab rangoons on the side like you would get at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for more sesame flavor or red pepper flakes for added spice. Of course, freshly steamed broccoli is also a great side dish to have with this dinner. There you have a complete dinner idea that is quick and easy.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute flank steak with sirloin or skirt steak. Some variations even use chicken or pork loin, but cooking times may vary.
No, sesame seeds are optional and serve as a garnish for added texture and sesame flavor. The dish is delicious even without them.
While shredded carrots are traditional, you can experiment with adding bell peppers or other vegetables like broccoli to customize the dish.
Yes, you can prepare the dish in advance and reheat it when needed. Slow-cooked dishes like this often taste even better the next day.
This crock pot Mongolian beef has bold amazing flavor and is an easy dinner. The next time you are wanting Chinese food, throw this easy slow cooker dinner together in minutes to enjoy a few hours later.
My Creative Manner is helping to answer the question "what's there to eat" ~ Jen
More Crockpot Dinner Recipes You May Enjoy:
Crock Pot Mongolian Beef
Crock pot Mongolian beef is flank steak that is slow cooked with fresh garlic, giner, and carots. In a sauce that is made with soy sauce, water, and brown sugar.
Ingredients
- 1-2 Pounds Flank Steak sliced thin against the grain
- ¼ Cup Corn Starch
- ¾ Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- ½ Cup Soy Sauce reduced sodium
- ¾ Cup Brown Sugar
- 3 Teaspoons Garlic minced
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger minced
- ¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Cup Carrots Shredded
- 4-5 Large Green Onion thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds for garnish
Instructions
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Into a ziplock place the sliced flank steak and corn starch. Seal the bag and toss to cover the flank steak with the corn strach.
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In a mixing bowl combine the water, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flake. Mix until the sugar has disolved.
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Into the crockpot add the corn starch dusted flank steak and carrots.
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Pour the sauce mixture into the crockpot and stir all the ingredients together.
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Place lid on crockpot and set to low for 2½ to 3 hours.
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Once cook time is over add in the sliced green onions and stir to combine.
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Sever over rice and garnished with sesame seeds.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
To help cut the sodium back I use reducted sodium soy sauce.
The nutritional value may vary depending on the ingredients used.
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