Description

This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender lo mein or ramen noodles tossed in a savory, slightly sweet, and umami-rich ground beef sauce. Enhanced with garlic, ginger, and a complex sauce of soy, hoisin, oyster sauce, and brown sugar, this dinner is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal with a hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes.

Ingredients

Scale

Noodles

8 ounces noodles (use lo mein or ramen noodles)

Beef Mixture

1 pound ground beef (lean)
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (minced)

Sauce

¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
¼ cup hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for deeper umami)
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Garnish

3 green onions (sliced plus extra for garnish)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

Cook Noodles: Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Drain them well and set aside to prevent overcooking.
Brown Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the skillet with the cooked beef. Sauté together for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Prepare Sauce and Combine: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour this sauce mixture over the cooked beef, stirring to coat evenly.
Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry made by mixing 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Cook the beef and sauce mixture for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Toss Noodles: Add the cooked noodles into the skillet with the beef and sauce. Toss well to ensure noodles are evenly coated and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
Add Green Onions and Adjust: Stir in the sliced green onions. Taste the dish and adjust any seasoning such as salt or more soy sauce if desired.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the noodles in bowls and garnish with sesame seeds and additional green onions for a fresh, crunchy finish.

Notes

Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili slices.
Lean ground beef helps reduce excess grease and makes the dish healthier.
Oyster sauce is optional but adds a deeper umami flavor; can be omitted for a vegetarian adaptation using a substitute.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in a skillet.