Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (2024)

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PaleoMongolian Beef Broccoli “Rice” bowls areeasy to make in just 30 minutes! Light, and full of garlic and ginger flavors! An Asian inspired homemade take out recipefor you and your family to enjoy. Gluten free, too.

Who’s feeling the Friday stay at home night vibes? Who’s feeling… saucy?As in, don’t mess me with me and my takeout night. Cheeky, sassy, craving all things Asian! Anyone? Bueller? Ahhh yes, me me me!! I’m that girl. Friday night, PJ”s, glass of wine, homemade takeout (um, in the form of these Paleo Mongolian Beef Rice bowls, duh!), and a movie on the couch. Cute kiwi (husband) by my side. Lame? Nah, just what we do to recover from a crazy week. ZONE OUT!

But can I let you in on a little secret? Well, two secrets. One, this dish was totally created with just leftover veggie and meat I had on hand. I titled it saucy because, like I mentioned above, I’m feeling saucy. But also, the homemade sauce on this paleo Mongolian Beef is pretty much unreal. Savory and sweet and TO DIE FOR! Ya’ll, coconut sugar makes it even richer!! What’s up with the broccoli? Well, I “riced” it. Because that’s what I do. Stretch the heck out of veggie ingredients to make them SHINE. Plus I always wanted to “rice” broccoli just like cauliflower. Yes, I am callingit paleo, or paleoish really. Because that’s also WHAT I DO. Try to DEFINE food so that people with food allergies can make it with ease. Also because we all need more QUICKsimple wholesome recipes, yes? That’s my mission here folks. You know this. Or at least you do now.

Second secret. I’ve got one more little meal plan postto do on Monday, then I’m taking a staycation. Meaning, I need Spring clean and organize our life. Like whoa! I haven’t even unpacked all our stuff since the January move. Sadness. Oh and I’m going to finish taxes. Yes, pat myself on the back for that. We are also going to take a weekend trip to Moab. Hiking and exploring. We’ve hada couple snowmagedden months stuck inside. We NEED OUT! We also need time to not work. Not think about work. Not stress. Not plan. You know what I’m saying? Big scary projects are on the horizon, but before we dive deep into them, I think it’s important to rest and digest the present. As you can see, I’m trying to take my own advice here. Slap my hand if I don’t. Mmm k?

Speaking of present… let’s get back thesePaleo Mongolian Beef Broccoli “Rice” Bowls. These are the ultimate IRON BOOSTING bowls. Packed with protein, fiber, flank steak meat, and vitamin C rich broccoli rice.

Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (3)

Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (4)

The broccoli rice let’s soaks up all the flavors of the sauce to create one magical light Asian inspired meal! For reals. Plus it takes oh.. maybe 40 minutes to make? Good for leftovers and then some.

Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (6)

Here’s what you need to makeyour Mongolian Beef Broccoli “Rice” Bowls.

Sorry, I have a current obsession with listing ingredients. Go with it.

  • Flank steak or beef strips (vegan, you can totally try tempeh!)
  • Scallion
  • Coconut palm sugar (raw sugar or brown sugar are fine if needed)
  • Broccoli
  • Red pepper flakes and sesame seeds
  • Potato starch or arrowroot starch (non paleo can use corn starch). I do not recommend Tapioca starch. It gets all jelly- like. Lesson learned there. WHOOPS!
  • Sesame or avocado oil
  • Ginger andGarlic
  • Tamari (Love the low sodium from San-j)
  • Broth or water
  • And of courseoptional Coriander and Asian/Thai red pepper to SPICE it up.

Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (7)

Ready, set, let’s rock and roll thispower bowl! You’re gonna love this quick Paleo Mongolian Beef recipe.

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Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (8)

Paleo Mongolian Beef Riced Broccoli Bowls

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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

These Paleo Mongolian Beef Broccoli “Rice” bowls are quick to make, light, and full of flavor! Riced broccoli keeps this dinner paleo and gluten free.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 lb beef sirloin (sliced thin, ¼ to in thick or buy already cut into strips)
  • 1 tsp oil (avocado or sesame oil)
  • 1 tsp arrowroot starch or potato starch (you can use cornstarch if you are not paleo)
  • ¼ c more starch for coating before frying meat

For the Mongolian Sauce:

  • 1 tbsp avocado or sesame oil
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • ½ tsp grated ginger
  • ¼ c coconut sugar
  • ¼ c gluten free tamari soy sauce
  • beef broth or veggie broth
  • Extra oil, as needed, for combining meat and sauce in pan

Remaining Ingredients to go in the bowls:

  • 1 head broccoli. equals 3-4 c riced
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • Sesame seeds (you can also add Optional chopped cashews for the broccoli rice)
  • Fresh chopped cilantro to garnish

Instructions

  1. First prepare all your veggies. Slice your scallions and thai peppers (if you are following spicy version see notes). Mince garlic/ginger. Keep them close by. Slice meat into thin strips.
  2. Toss your meat in 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon starch. Place meat in a bowl or ziplock bag and marinade in fridge for 10 minutes or up to 1 hour.

To Make Sauce:

  1. In a small saucepan, add your 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, and grated ginger. Stir fry until fragrant. If you are following spicy version, add 1 sliced thai red pepper while frying.
  2. Whisk together your ¼ cup gluten free tamari soy sauce (I use san-j brand), broth, and coconut sugar. Add to sauce pan. Bring to a boil then reduce and simmer on low until thickened. Around 10 minutes or so.
  3. Heat a large skillet pan with ⅓ c oil. Lightly coat beef strips in extra ¼ c starch, then place in pan to fry/sear. Fry in oil for about 1 minute each side. Browning the steak strips.
  4. Reduce heat then drain oil from pan or use slotted spoon to drain.
  5. Add your Mongolian beef sauce and cook with meat 1 min. Coating the beef evenly. Then set aside while you make the broccoli rice.

For Broccoli Rice:

  1. Cut your broccoli head into 3 to 4 parts. Place each into blender or food processor until all is “riced” texture.
  2. Place in a large microwave safe bowl. Add 1 tablespoon broth or water. Salt/pepper to taste.
  3. Lightly steam in microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. (feel free to do this on stove if you don’t have microwave)
  4. Add garlic powder and chopped cashew to broccoli rice if desired.

To Assemble Bowls:

  1. Add ½ cup or more broccoli rice to bowls. Then place beef and sauce on top.
  2. Sliced scallion and red pepper flakes to top!
  3. Sesame seeds and optional coriander to garnish each bowl.

Notes

  • If you want it extra spicy, add 1 sliced red thai pepper to your sauce or to beef when frying.
  • Works great with coconut palm sugar or raw turbinado sugar.
  • Honey will work in place of coconut sugar, but the beef will be more sticky.
  • Nutrition shown is per bowl, with oil drained.
  • *UseReduced Sodium Gluten Free Tamari Sauceto Reduce Sodium by Half*
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 17 minutes
  • Category: main, dinner

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 309
  • Sugar: 14.7g
  • Sodium: 1095mg
  • Fat: 11.4g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 24.1g
  • Fiber: 4.5g
  • Protein: 30.1g
  • Cholesterol: 76mg

See, you want to cuddle up with this bowl now, right? Oh yea! DO IT!

[Tweet ” For QuickHomemade Takeout, trythese #Paleo Mongolian Beef Broccoli “Rice” bowls! #glutenfree”]

What’s your favorite homemade takeout meal? Come on… get saucy!

Happy weekend and I hope you can sit back and relaxtonight with a movie and takeout. Life’s little pleasures!

😉

Cheers!

Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (11)

Mongolian Beef Broccoli "Rice" Bowls {Quick, Easy Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What is Mongolian beef sauce made of? ›

Making the Mongolian Beef Sauce

Whisk the Mongolian Beef Sauce ingredients together consisting of soy sauce, water, brown sugar, Asian sweet chili sauce, rice wine, hoisin, pepper, sriracha and cornstarch.

What is beef and broccoli sauce made of? ›

Each restaurant has its secrets but I make a fair amount of Chinese food and recipes for broccoli beef sauce are basically oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar and perhaps a splash of rice wine. Since this is a deep flavored savory dish I think perhaps a bit of mushroom soy sauce is used.

How do you thicken beef and broccoli? ›

To thicken beef and broccoli, you can mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the simmering sauce and stir until it thickens.

What is PF Chang's Mongolian sauce? ›

Deep and flavorful, our Mongolian Style BBQ Sauce can attribute its flavor profile to smoked black pepper, sweet molasses, soy sauce and garlic making this sauce versatile for marinades and as a finishing sauce.

Why is Mongolian beef so tender? ›

This is the KEY ingredient to super tender beef. Baking soda is commonly used in Chinese cooking to tenderize beef. If you're curious about the science behind it – baking soda neutralizes acid and raises the pH level, which causes the meat to become more alkaline.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

There are many Chinese sauces that are brown just a few most common, soy sause, oyster sauce, sweet bean, Hoisin

What is the brown sauce in Chinese restaurants made of? ›

Broth: Many versions of this dish use beef broth, but you can also find it made with chicken or vegetable broth. Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is one of the main ingredients that you'll find in nearly every version of Chinese brown sauce.

What can I use instead of beef broth in beef and broccoli? ›

Depending on what you are using the beef broth for you can substitute a well made vegetable broth or chicken broth. Of course, it will change the flavor profile a bit but it is a much better solution to using cubes or powders which are sodium bombs.

Can I use flour instead of cornstarch in Mongolian beef? ›

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent in many Asian dishes. It gives the Mongolian beef its signature glossy, thick sauce. If you can't find cornstarch, use flour instead, but it may not provide the same clear, glossy finish.

How to make beef tender like Chinese restaurants? ›

There are a few methods, but this is the easiest way:
  1. Sprinkle 3/4 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate soda) on 250g / 8oz sliced economical beef cuts.
  2. Toss with fingers, leave for 30 minutes.
  3. Rinse, pat off excess water.
  4. Proceed with stir fry recipe. It can be marinated with wet or dry seasonings, or cooked plain.
Feb 23, 2019

What can I substitute for cornstarch in beef and broccoli? ›

All-Purpose Flour

Although it won't produce the same glossy shine as cornstarch, it'll get the job done in a pinch. All-purpose flour contains about half the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to substitute two tablespoons of all-purpose flour.

What can I substitute for flank steak in Mongolian? ›

The best meat to use instead of flank steak is skirt steak, flat iron steak, flap (sirloin tip) steak, tri-tip steak, and hanger steak (in that order). Each has its differences, but all do well being marinated and cooked over high heat, like flank steak.

How to velvet beef for Mongolian beef? ›

Instructions
  1. Place the beef in a bowl and sprinkle over the bicarbonate of soda. ...
  2. Rub the bicarbonate of soda into the beef so it's thoroughly coated.
  3. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  4. Thoroughly rinse the beef in cold water, drain, then pat dry with kitchen towels.
  5. Use as per your recipe.
Jul 11, 2023

How do Chinese tenderize flank steak? ›

There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts. “People go for either egg white or baking soda as they are both alkaline ingredients.

What's the difference between Mongolian and teriyaki? ›

True Teriyaki has Mirin and Sake in it and those two ingredients aren't in my Mongolian Beef recipe. That's like saying Ketchup is just co*cktail Sauce even though it needs horseradish to make it so.

Does Mongolian beef contain oyster sauce? ›

Place the steak in a shallow bowl and add the water, vegetable, and cornstarch mixture. Massage all the ingredients into the meat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 12 hours. For the sauce: Combine the oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch, vinegar, garlic and half the ginger in a small bowl and set aside.

What is Mongolian beef supposed to taste like? ›

When done just right, it's perfectly sweet and savory, slightly spicy, and loaded with lots of delicious aromatics such as ginger, garlic, green onions and even a few dried red chilis, all combined to bring a nice pop of deep, fragrant flavor.

What does Mongolian beef taste like? ›

It had a slightly crusty exterior, and was served with peppers and onions, over a bed of crisp rice straws. Was my favorite. I'm out east now and at all Chinese restaurants Mongolian beef is a sickly sweet, watery brown sauce with generic mixed vegetables. It tastes like soy sauce and sugar.

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