Mongolian beef ramen is a mouthwatering meal of tender steak strips and noodles, tossed in a sweet and savory homemade sauce. Make this easy beef ramen recipe in just 20 minutes for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Craving more noodle recipes? Try Food Court Style Asian Noodles, Shrimp Lo Mein, and Birria Ramen with Beef.
Jump to:
- Why We Love This Beef Ramen Recipe:
- What is Mongolian Beef?
- Beef Ramen Ingredients:
- How to Make Beef Ramen:
- Alternatives and Variations:
- Pro-Tips:
- Storing and Reheating:
- More Asian Inspired Recipes to Try
- 📖 Recipe
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Transform basic instant ramen noodles into a slurp-worthy meal with this Mongolian beef ramen recipe! Tender seared steak tips and instant ramen are coated with a delicious Mongolian sauce for a restaurant-worthy meal. Skip the overpriced takeout and enjoy a bowl from the comfort of your home.
Why We Love This Beef Ramen Recipe:
Quick & Easy! Add beef ramen noodles to the growing list of 30-minute meals because this is great for busy weeknights after school and work.
Delicious! This dish is flavorful and fragrant. Each bite is better than the last and you will be scraping the bowl for remnants of the irresistible Mongolian sauce.
Versatile! Switch up the protein and noodles, and throw in some extras because this recipe is easy to adapt.
Affordable & Convenient! Ramen noodles are so cheap at the grocery store. And you can use leftover steak to make this meal.
What is Mongolian Beef?
Mongolian Beef is a popular Chinese-American stir fry dish. It's made with thinly sliced marinated beef (most commonly flank steak or sirloin) that's cooked with veggies in a savory and slightly sweet brown sauce.
This Mongolian beef ramen recipe combines the flavor of Mongolian beef with popular Japanese ramen, for a tasty fusion meal.
Beef Ramen Ingredients:
- Ramen noodles: Use Marchucan or your favorite brand. Do not use the flavor packet that comes with it.
- Steak: Cut into strips (flank steak, flat iron steak, or ribeye are great cuts).
- Seasoning: steak seasoning (or seasoned salt), black pepper
- Soy sauce: This adds a deep, savory, umami flavor to the beef. Use low-sodium soy sauce if sodium intake is a concern.
- Cornstarch: This tenderizes the beef and adds a light, crisp coating.
- Avocado oil: Use this or olive oil in order to sear the beef.
- Green onions: Chopped into ½ inch pieces.
Mongolian Sauce
- Garlic: Mince fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Soy sauce: For a salty, umami flavor.
- Brown sugar: The sweetness balances out the rich savory flavors.
- Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce.
- Warm water: A liquid base for the sauce. Some recipes use beef broth but with all the other ingredients, it's not necessary.
- Ground ginger: For a warm spiced taste. This is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine.
- Black pepper: For a peppery taste.
- Red pepper flakes: Add this optional ingredient for spicy beef ramen.
- Sesame seeds: This is another optional ingredient that adds texture and a toasty quality.
- Green onion: For garnish.
How to Make Beef Ramen:
Cook Ramen
Cook the ramen in boiling water until they are almost cooked through (about 5 minutes). Drain the water and run cold water over the noodles in order to stop the cooking process. Then set them aside.
Season Steak
Add steak strips to a large bowl. Then season them with the steak seasoning (or seasoned salt), soy sauce, and black pepper. Toss the meat around until each strip is fully coated.
Now add the cornstarch into the bowl with the meat and give it another good mix so that every piece of steak is coated with the cornstarch.
Cook Beef
Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat and warm it up for about 1 minute. Now gently add the meat into the skillet. Cook it in the skillet for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let a crust begin to form on the steak.
Once the meat is browned, toss in the green onions and cook for an additional minute. Remove the meat from the skillet and place it in a clean bowl. Keep the skillet on and turn the heat to medium to make the sauce.
Prepare Mongolian Sauce
Add the minced garlic into the skillet and cook it until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds or so. Be sure to stir it constantly so it does not burn.
Mix the brown sugar and cornstarch in a bowl with the warm water to allow it to dissolve a bit. Add the soy sauce and brown sugar cornstarch slurry directly to the skillet and stir well. Season with ground ginger and pepper, and stir well.
Toss in Remaining Ingredients for Beef Ramen
Turn off the heat and add in the cooked steak and ramen noodles. Use tongs to toss everything together until it is fully coated.
Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and sesame seeds if desired. Garnish with green onions, and serve immediately.
Alternatives and Variations:
- Add Veggies: Throw in bell peppers, onions, steamed broccoli, bok choy, or shiitake mushrooms for added flavor and nutrients.
- Protein: Add a soft boiled egg to each individual bowl.
- Ground Beef Ramen: This recipe works just as well with seasoned ground beef. Drain any excess grease before tossing it with the noodles and sauce.
- Noodles: Use udon noodles, soba noodles, or even spaghetti.
- Spicy: Add chili paste or sriracha sauce for an extra kick of heat.
Pro-Tips:
- No matter what steak you choose for your beef ramen, remember to cut against the grain, for tender meat.
- Do not overcook the noodles. Cook the noodles just until they reach al dente. This way they can contunue to absorb flavors.
Storing and Reheating:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat your beef ramen, add it to a pot and warm up over medium heat on the stovetop. Stir until warmed through.
FAQ:
Is steak ramen a thing?
Although it is not as popular as pork ramen or seafood ramen, steak ramen is definitely a thing. You may not find it in Japanese resturants but the recipe has become popular in American households.
What beef is used in ramen?
Beef flank steak and sirloin steak are top choices for beef ramen.
How to make better beef ramen?
Adding seasoning to your ramen is the easiest way to enhance the overall flavor. This beef ramen recipe includes a quick Mongolian sauce but you can enhance your noodles by cooking it with sesame oil or adding fish sauce or fresh veggies.
More Asian Inspired Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 packs Ramen noodles seasoning removed
- 2 Steaks cut into strips (flank steak, flat iron steak, or ribeye are great cuts)
- ½ tablespoon Steak seasoning or seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon Soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 cup Green onions chopped into ½ inch pieces
Mongolian Sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- ¼ cup Soy sauce
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- ¼ cup Warm water
- 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes optional
- Sesame seeds optional
- Garnish with green onion
Instructions
- Cook the ramen in boiling water until they are almost cooked through (about 5 minutes). Drain the water and run cold water over the noodles to stop the cooking process. Set them aside.
- Add the strips of steak to a large bowl. Season with the steak seasoning (or seasoned salt), soy sauce, and black pepper. Toss the meat around until it is fully coated with the seasoning.
- Now add the cornstarch into the bowl with the meat and give it another good mix so that every piece of steak is coated with the cornstarch.
- Add the oil to a skillet over medium high heat and warm it up for about 1 minute. Now gently add the meat into the skillet. Cook it in the skillet for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let a crust begin to form on the steak.
- Once the meat is browned, toss in the green onions and cook for an additional minute. Remove the meat from the skillet and place it in a clean bowl. Keep the skillet on and turn the heat to medium to make the sauce.
- Add the minced garlic into the skillet and cook it until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds or so. Be sure to stir it constantly so it does not burn.
- Mix the brown sugar and cornstarch in a bowl with the warm water to allow it to dissolve a bit. Add the soy sauce and brown sugar cornstarch slurry directly to the skillet and stir well.
- Season with ground ginger and pepper, and stir well. Turn off the heat and add in the cooked steak and ramen noodles. Use tongs to toss everything together until it is fully coated.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and sesame seeds if desired. Garnish with green onions, and serve right away.
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