Mongolian BBQ Recipe: Ingredients & Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Mongolian BBQ might sound like it hails from the steppes of Mongolia, but it’s actually a delicious stir-fry dish created in Taiwan. It’s all about quick cooking over a hot grill, with thinly sliced meat, fresh veggies, and noodles tossed together with a sweet-savory sauce.

A chef cooking a variety of meats and vegetables on a large round Mongolian BBQ grill with bowls of sauces and fresh ingredients nearby.

The real magic is in the mix: customize your bowl with your choice of meats, vegetables, and that addictive Mongolian BBQ sauce for a fast, flavorful meal that’s perfect for sharing. Cooking it at home brings a fun, interactive vibe, almost like a mini feast you control from start to finish.

From rib eye steak to cabbage and bean sprouts, the ingredients come together in minutes on a hot griddle. Whether done on a tabletop electric grill or a regular pan, this recipe is simple, tasty, and a crowd-pleaser every time. 🍜🔥

Ingredients List & Step-By-Step Instructions For Mongolian BBQ Recipe

Getting the right mix of ingredients and cooking steps is key to nailing the perfect Mongolian BBQ at home. Thinly sliced beef, fresh crunchy veggies, and a sauce balanced between sweet and savory create the magic.

Ingredient Quantity Notes
Beef (flank steak or sirloin) 1 pound Thinly sliced against the grain
Vegetables (broccoli, green beans, carrots) About 2 cups total Chopped bite-sized for quick stir-fry
Soy Sauce (low-sodium) ¼ cup Main salty base of the sauce
Brown Sugar 2 tablespoons For sweetness balance
Garlic (minced) 3 cloves Adds savory aroma
Fresh Ginger (grated) 1 tablespoon Gives warmth and depth
Hoisin Sauce 2 tablespoons Sweet, slightly tangy kick
Rice Vinegar 1 tablespoon Balances sweetness with acidity
Sesame Oil 1 teaspoon Nutty finish
Red Pepper Flakes ½ teaspoon Adjust for heat preference
Pineapple Juice 2 tablespoons Optional, adds subtle fruitiness 🍍
Peanut Oil 2 tablespoons For high-heat stir-frying
Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 tablespoon For garnish and crunch

Step 1

Start by prepping the beef. Freeze it slightly for about 20 minutes—it makes slicing into ⅛-inch thin strips smoother and helps avoid the dreaded chewy bite. Toss the sliced beef with a tablespoon of cornstarch to lock in that silky texture during cooking.

Chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces—broccoli florets, green beans trimmed, and carrots julienned work beautifully here for a mix of colors and textures.

Step 2

Mix up the signature sauce by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and pineapple juice if you want a slight fruity twist. Let it rest 10 minutes to develop flavors—no skipping this step if you want that deep tangy sweetness.

The sauce should be thick enough to coat but not drown your ingredients. Adjust heat by adding or skipping the pepper flakes. This is where the flavor magic happens.

Step 3

Heat peanut oil in a large skillet or wok until it just starts to smoke—this high heat is key to searing beef perfectly. Cook the beef in batches for 1-2 minutes each side; the goal is a seared edge without overcooking the inside. Set beef aside, then stir-fry your veggies until crisp-tender—about 3-5 minutes total.

Toss everything back together. Pour in the sauce, stirring for another 1-2 minutes so it thickens and hugs each piece. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top and watch the flavors shine! 😋

Chef Melanie

More recipe sites