If you are looking for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like takeout but requires very little effort, this simple Instant Pot Mongolian beef is the perfect recipe. Made with tender sliced sirloin, soft cooked onions, and a rich sweet and savory sauce, this dish comes together quickly and is ideal for busy days!
This recipe is part of my simple Instant Pot recipes series, focusing on minimal prep meals that still deliver big flavor for the whole family.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Mongolian beef is:
- Extremely easy with very little hands-on time
- Tender and flavorful thanks to pressure cooking
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- Great served with rice or vegetables
The Instant Pot helps the beef stay juicy while creating a glossy sauce that coats every bite.
Tips For The Best Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
- Slice the steak very thin and always against the grain. This helps break up the muscle fibers and keeps the beef incredibly tender after pressure cooking.
- Do not skip the sauté step at the end. This is what transforms the thin cooking liquid into a rich, glossy sauce that clings to the beef and onions.
- If you enjoy a more onion-forward Mongolian beef like takeout, feel free to add an extra half onion. The onions soften beautifully and add natural sweetness to the dish.
- Using low sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness since the sauce reduces slightly when thickened.
- Serve the beef immediately after thickening for the best texture and shine.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
If you are looking for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like takeout but requires very little effort, this simple Instant Pot Mongolian beef is the perfect recipe. Made with tender sliced sirloin, soft cooked onions, and a rich sweet and savory sauce, this dish comes together quickly and is ideal for busy days.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin steak thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 onion sliced
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Cornstarch slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Optional
- Green onions for garnish
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- For the most tender texture, slice the sirloin thinly against the grain. Placing the steak in the freezer for about 15 minutes before slicing can make this easier.
- Add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Add the sliced beef and onions on top and gently press the beef into the liquid.
- Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once cooking is complete, carefully perform a quick release.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and stir in the cornstarch slurry. Let the sauce bubble for 1 to 3 minutes until thick, glossy, and able to coat the beef.
Leave a Reply