Air Fryer Mongolian Beef Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy a quick and flavorful take on Mongolian beef made effortlessly in the air fryer. This recipe delivers tender, crispy beef coated in a rich, sweet-savory sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank steak
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice the flank steak into thin strips against the grain for tenderness and place them in a large bowl.
2. Step 2: Add cornstarch to the steak and toss to evenly coat. Let it sit for 5 minutes to set.
3. Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
4. Step 4: Place the coated steak strips in the air fryer basket and spritz generously with oil.
5. Step 5: Air fry the steak for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes. Spritz more oil halfway through cooking for crispiness.
6. Step 6: While the beef cooks, heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. Step 7: Stir in soy sauce, water, and brown sugar, then bring the mixture to a boil.
8. Step 8: Simmer the sauce for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
9. Step 9: Carefully add the air-fried beef to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat. Cook for another 1–2 minutes to combine flavors.
10. Step 10: Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while cooking.
• Use sirloin or skirt steak as alternatives to flank steak for different textures.
• Serve over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen flank steak for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed flank steak for even cooking and the best texture. Slice the meat thinly once fully thawed before proceeding.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can cook the coated steak strips in a hot skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat, turning frequently until crispy and cooked through.

Air Fryer Mongolian Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 53 reviews

• Author: Harry
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Air Fryer Mongolian Beef recipe offers a quick and delicious way to enjoy tender strips of flank steak coated in a perfectly balanced, sweet and savory Mongolian sauce. Using an air fryer for cooking the beef results in a crispy exterior while keeping the strips juicy, combined with a homemade sauce that’s thickened on the stove for ultimate flavor. Garnished with fresh green onions, this dish is a healthier alternative to traditional fried Mongolian beef and is perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Coating

• 1 pound flank steak
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)

Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup brown sugar

Garnish

• 2 green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef: Slice the flank steak into thin strips, cutting against the grain to ensure tenderness. Place the sliced steak in a large bowl.
2. Coat with Cornstarch: Add the cornstarch to the bowl with the steak and toss thoroughly to coat each strip evenly. Allow the steak to sit in the cornstarch for 5 minutes to set the coating.
3. Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and let it heat up while you prepare to cook the beef.
4. Air Fry the Steak: Arrange the coated steak strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spritz the meat generously with oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket every couple of minutes to promote even cooking. Halfway through, spritz with additional oil to ensure crispiness.
5. Cook the Sauce: While the steak is air frying, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat on the stove. Add minced garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
6. Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the low sodium soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
7. Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency.
8. Combine Beef and Sauce: Carefully add the cooked beef strips to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss the beef in the sauce and cook together for an additional 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
9. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle the chopped green onions over the beef. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• For extra tenderness, marinate the steak in a little soy sauce and ginger before coating with cornstarch.
• Make sure to shake the air fryer basket periodically to prevent sticking and promote even crisping.
• Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt content and enhance the balance of flavors.
• Adjust brown sugar quantity to taste for a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
• This recipe pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: Mongolian Beef, Air Fryer, Asian Beef Recipe, Quick Dinner, Healthy Mongolian Beef