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Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Sweet, savory, perfectly saucy — a 25-minute dinner that costs under $10 and beats takeout every time.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 80-90%
  • 10 oz lo mein ramen, or linguine noodles
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • ½ cup beef broth low sodium
  • ¼ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 4 green onions sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Method
 

  1. Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. In a separate small bowl dissolve cornstarch in cold water. Set both aside.
  2. Boil noodles 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain but do not rinse. Set aside.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, break into crumbles, and cook until well browned with no pink remaining, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  4. Push beef to one side. Add garlic and ginger to the empty space and cook 60-90 seconds until fragrant. Stir into the beef.
  5. Pour sauce over the beef and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything in a glossy layer.
  6. Add drained noodles and toss with tongs until fully coated. Cook together 1-2 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Serve immediately topped with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Use low-sodium soy sauce — regular makes this too salty.
Fresh ginger only — dried tastes completely different here.
Undercook noodles by 1-2 minutes — they finish cooking in the sauce.
Taste the sauce before adding noodles — it should taste bold, the noodles will mellow it.
Leftovers: reheat with a splash of beef broth to loosen the sauce.