Instant Pot Mongolian Beef Recipe: Tender Beef in Sweet Garlic Sauce

Quick and easy Instant Pot Mongolian beef made at home with simple ingredients in about 30 minutes. Tender, thinly sliced beef is coated in a sweet soy, ginger, and garlic sauce for a delicious weeknight dinner.

This is a favorite takeout-style dish that’s simple enough to make at home—no need to order out. The balance of sweet and savory flavors paired with pressure-cooked beef yields wonderfully tender results with minimal hands-on time. For a full Asian-inspired meal, serve with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.

How to Make Mongolian Beef From Scratch In The Instant Pot

1. Heat oil — Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.”
2. Sauté aromatics — Cook onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add remaining ingredients — Stir in the beef, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, and red chili flakes.
4. Mix — Combine everything so the beef is coated in the sauce.
5. Cover and cook — Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select “Meat/Stew” or “High Pressure” for 10 minutes.
6. Release pressure — Allow a natural pressure release for best texture.
7. Finish — Open the lid and stir in the green onions.
8. Serve — Garnish with sesame seeds and enjoy.

Mongolian Sauce / Marinade

Whisk the following until smooth to make the sauce:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup hoisin sauce
• ½ tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Store any leftover sauce in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week for quick meal prep.

What’s the difference between Mongolian Beef and Szechuan Beef?

Mongolian beef is typically milder and sweeter, often using brown sugar and hoisin sauce alongside soy. Szechuan beef tends to be spicier and uses Szechuan peppercorns or a spicier chili base for a numbing, heat-forward flavor.

What Sides to Serve with Mongolian Beef

Rice — Steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice are classic choices. Fried rice or cauliflower fried rice work well too.

Vegetables — Lightly sautéed sugar snap peas, steamed broccoli, or an Asian cucumber salad pair nicely.

Soups — A simple egg drop or chicken corn soup helps round out the meal.

Noodles — Toss with egg noodles, rice noodles, or sesame noodles for a heartier plate.

Storage

Refrigerate — Store in a sealed container for up to 2 days.

Freeze — Freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Reheat — Thaw if frozen and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. If frozen, add a splash of water or broth while reheating to loosen the sauce.

Variations

Add noodles — Mix in rice noodles, ramen, or egg noodles cooked separately before serving.

Add vegetables — Stir in broccoli, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, bok choy, or baby corn for extra color and nutrition.

Adjust the spice — Increase or reduce red chili flakes to taste, or omit entirely for a milder dish.

Add nuts — Toasted cashews or peanuts add crunch and richness.

Make it gluten-free — Substitute coconut aminos or tamari for regular soy sauce.

Serve as a salad — Spoon the beef over greens or use butter lettuce for wraps.

Make it saucier — Double the sauce ingredients for extra sauce.

Turn into a soup — Add 1–2 cups cooked ramen and more broth to make a comforting noodle soup.

Healthier sweetener — Swap brown sugar for honey or molasses, keeping in mind the flavor will shift slightly.

Tips And Techniques

Thicken the sauce — Stir in a small cornstarch slurry (1–2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with cold water) and sauté briefly until thickened. Alternatively, simmer uncovered on “Sauté” until reduced.

Thin the sauce — Add a bit more water or broth to reach the desired consistency.

Best cuts of beef — Thinly sliced flank steak works well. You can also use top round, sirloin, skirt steak, or New York strip.

Use low-sodium soy sauce — This helps control the dish’s overall saltiness.

Prefer brown sugar — Brown sugar gives a richer, more caramelized flavor than granulated sugar.

Natural pressure release — Let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally to keep the beef tender and juicy.

Use fresh aromatics — Fresh onion, ginger, and garlic provide brighter, more vibrant flavor than powders.

More One Pot Chinese / Asian Dinner Recipes

• Chicken Pad Thai (One Pot)
• Crockpot Sesame Chicken
• Crockpot Orange Chicken
• Sweet and Spicy Chicken (One Pot)
• Honey Sesame Chicken (One Pot)
• Black Pepper Chicken (One Pot)
• Cashew Chicken (One Pot)
• Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

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