This Mongolian beef slow cooker recipe is one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners. It’s rich, flavorful, and feels a little fancy without being fussy. Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic. What results is perfectly tender beef in a sweet and savory sauce that tastes like takeout, but even better.
Why You’ll Love This Mongolian Beef Slow Cooker Recipe
There are so many reasons this dish is always on repeat in our house:
- That sweet-savory combo is seriously crave-worthy.
- It only takes a few minutes of prep.
- It feels special enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a busy Tuesday night.
- The beef turns out melt-in-your-mouth tender every single time.
And let me tell you, serving this over a bowl of warm rice with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds is just chef’s kiss. It tastes cozy, comforting, and a little luxurious—with barely any effort.
If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy these other easy recipes from the blog: BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken, Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker with Potatoes, Thai Red Chicken Curry Slow Cooker Recipe.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Mongolian beef in a slow cooker:
- 2 lbs flank steak, sliced thin against the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup grated carrots
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
And if you’re looking for a dependable and stylish appliance, I absolutely love my favorite 6 qt GreenPan slow cooker—it’s what I use for all my slow cooker recipes!
How to Make Mongolian Beef in a Slow Cooker
This recipe for Mongolian beef in a slow cooker is as simple as it gets. Here’s how to bring it all together:
- Prep the beef: Add your sliced flank steak and cornstarch to a large zip-top bag. Seal and shake it well to coat all the pieces evenly. This step is super important—it helps thicken the sauce and gives the beef that silky texture.
- Add to the slow cooker: In your slow cooker, stir together the olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, and carrots. Add the coated beef and stir to combine.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce is rich.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
FAQs
Yes! While flank steak is ideal for this slow cooker beef Mongolian recipe, you could also use skirt steak or thinly sliced sirloin.
We love this over white rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Steamed broccoli or snap peas on the side make it a full meal.
Absolutely. Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave.
It can be! Just use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Delicious Mongolian Beef Slow Cooker Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank steak cut into thin strips
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup grated carrots
- Garnish: sesame seeds green onions
Instructions
- Add flank steak strips and cornstarch to a zip-top bag. Shake to coat evenly.
- In the slow cooker, mix olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, and carrots.
- Add coated beef and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours, until beef is tender.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over rice.
Notes
- Don’t skip the cornstarch step. It helps thicken the sauce and gives the beef that silky, restaurant-style texture.
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain for the most tender result. This makes a big difference in texture!
- Low vs. high setting: Cooking on low will give slightly more tender beef, but both settings work great depending on your time.
- Want it spicier? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha for a little heat.
- Leftovers reheat well! Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Make It Tonight
This Mongolian beef recipe slow cooker style is the kind of meal that makes weeknights feel a little more special. It comes together easily, fills your kitchen with the most delicious smells, and always gets rave reviews from my husband. Make a batch and enjoy a cozy dinner that feels like it came from your favorite restaurant.
Looking for more cozy recipes to make on a winter night? Don’t miss these cozy winter slow cooker recipes to keep dinner simple and satisfying all season long.
