Print

Easy Instant Pot Mongolian Beef Recipe 30 Minute Dinner Idea

instant pot mongolian beef - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and flavorful Mongolian beef recipe made in the Instant Pot, ready in under 30 minutes with a sweet-savory sauce and tender beef. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or avocado or canola oil)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 4 stalks green onions, sliced thin, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or beef broth
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Slice the beef thinly, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick, against the grain and set aside in a bowl.
  2. Toss the sliced beef with cornstarch until lightly coated and shake off excess.
  3. Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat vegetable oil until shimmering (about 2 minutes). Sear the beef in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of green onions to the pot. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding burning the garlic.
  5. Pour in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and water or beef broth. Stir well and scrape browned bits from the pot bottom.
  6. Return all beef to the pot and stir gently to coat with sauce. Seal the lid and set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
  7. Quick-release the pressure carefully when cooking finishes.
  8. Switch back to sauté mode and simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens. If too thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir in to thicken.
  9. Stir in the green parts of the scallions and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

Notes

Thin slicing the beef against the grain is key for tenderness. Don’t skip searing the beef to add depth and texture. Deglaze the pot well after sautéing to avoid burn notices. Quick release pressure immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking. Adjust brown sugar to taste for sweetness. Optional substitutions include almond flour for cornstarch (gluten-free) and coconut aminos for soy sauce (paleo-friendly).

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, Mongolian beef, quick dinner, easy recipe, pressure cooker, beef recipe, weeknight meal, sweet-savory sauce

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/easy-instant-pot-mongolian-beef-recipe-30-minute-dinner-idea/