Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

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Are you craving a tasty meal that’s quick to make? Mongolian ground beef noodles might be just what you need. This dish brings together tender noodles and savory ground beef in a yummy sauce. You can whip up this meal in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

The recipe uses simple ingredients you might already have at home. The sauce is a mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, and other flavors that give the dish its unique taste. You’ll love how the sauce coats every bite of noodles and beef. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of takeout food without leaving your kitchen.

Exact Ingredients List

This recipe needs specific amounts of noodles, ground beef, and sauce ingredients. Careful measuring ensures the perfect balance of flavors in your Mongolian ground beef noodles.

For the Noodles:

• 12 ounces dried noodles (lo mein, udon, linguine or spaghetti)
• Water for boiling
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (to toss with noodles)

For the Ground Beef:

• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean or higher)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional, if the beef is very lean)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For the Sauce:

• 1⁄2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1⁄4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup beef or chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1 1/2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)

For Garnish and Texture:

• 4 green onions, sliced
• 2 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

Start by boiling a large pot of water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add 12 ounces of your chosen noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil.

While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and brown it, breaking it up as it cooks. If using lean beef, add 1 tablespoon oil to prevent sticking.

Once the beef is browned, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 inch of grated ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you like heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup broth, 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Pour this sauce into the skillet and stir.

Make a slurry with 1 1/2 tablespoons each of cornstarch and water. Add it to the simmering sauce, stirring until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

Add your cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until coated. Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Your quick and tasty Mongolian ground beef noodles are ready to serve!

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out ingredients in this Mongolian ground beef noodles recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are some tasty options:

Noodles:

• Rice noodles
• Zucchini noodles
• Shirataki noodles

Protein:

• Ground turkey or chicken
• Crumbled tofu
• Sliced beef

Sauce ingredients:

• Coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
• Maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar
• Vegetable broth instead of beef broth

Veggies to add:

• Sliced bell peppers
• Shredded carrots
• Snap peas

Don’t have fresh ginger? Use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger instead. No hoisin sauce? Mix 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce as a quick fix.

Remember, these swaps might change the flavor a bit, but they’ll still give you a yummy meal. Feel free to play around and find your perfect combo!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this dish more diabetes-friendly, you can make a few simple swaps. Use whole wheat noodles instead of regular ones. They have more fiber and a lower glycemic index.

Cut the brown sugar amount in half. This reduces the carbs without losing too much flavor. You can add a bit of stevia for sweetness if needed.

Try these protein tweaks:

• Use extra lean ground beef (93% or leaner)
• Swap half the beef for ground turkey
• Add tofu crumbles for plant-based protein

Boost the veggie content:

• Mix in shredded carrots
• Add sliced bell peppers
• Toss in some broccoli florets

For the sauce, use less cornstarch to thicken. This lowers the carb count. You can also use a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum.

Serve smaller portions of noodles and beef. Fill half your plate with non-starchy veggies like a side salad or steamed greens.

These changes make the meal more balanced. You’ll get fiber, protein, and nutrients while keeping carbs in check.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best noodles, cook them just until al dente. They’ll finish cooking in the sauce. Toss them with a bit of sesame oil to prevent sticking while you prepare the beef.

When cooking the beef, use a large skillet or wok to give everything plenty of room. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks for the best texture.

Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry! It’s key for getting that thick, glossy sauce that coats the noodles perfectly.

Meal prep tip: Make extra sauce and freeze it in portions. You can quickly thaw it for future meals.

Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Try these easy swaps:

• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
• Swap regular noodles for zucchini noodles to cut carbs
• Add veggies like bell peppers or broccoli for extra nutrition

Remember, the dish is best served right away when the noodles are hot and the sauce is glossy. Enjoy your homemade Mongolian beef noodles!