For those who enjoy the sweet, savory flavors of Mongolian cuisine, a Mongolian Beef Salad is a must-try. This dish offers a delicious balance of tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a sweet-savory dressing that makes every bite unforgettable. It’s a fresh, light twist on the classic Mongolian beef, perfect for those who want to enjoy a hearty meal without the heaviness of a traditional stir-fry.
The star of this salad is the beef, which is typically thinly sliced and stir-fried until it’s tender and slightly caramelized. The sweet, savory sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger infuses the beef with rich flavors, giving it that signature Mongolian taste. The caramelized beef adds a slight sweetness that complements the crisp vegetables perfectly.
The salad itself is a refreshing mix of greens and colorful vegetables. You can use a base of leafy greens like romaine, spinach, or arugula, and add in crunchy ingredients like carrots, cucumbers, and red bell peppers. These vegetables provide a fresh contrast to the rich, flavorful beef, creating a light yet satisfying meal.
To bring everything together, the salad is drizzled with a tangy dressing made from a combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. This dressing adds depth to the salad, while also balancing the sweetness of the beef. Garnish with green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
Mongolian Beef Salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side. It’s a perfect meal for any season, as it combines the warmth of the stir-fried beef with the refreshing crunch of raw vegetables. Plus, it’s packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making it both a flavorful and nutritious choice.
In conclusion, Mongolian Beef Salad is a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. With its tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and zesty dressing, it’s a dish that’s sure to impress anyone at the dinner table.
Ultimately, the best side dish for Mongolian Beef is the one that you enjoy the most. Experiment with different options and find your perfect pairing!
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped fresh
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the flank steak and cook until browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked steak and toss to coat. Let the steak marinade in the sauce for a few minutes.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, red onion, and cilantro. Toss to combine.
- Transfer the salad to serving plates and top with the marinated steak. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Looks good but I wonder if the steak will be too chewy? Never tried cooking beef this way before.
The steak shouldn’t be chewy if you slice it thin and cook it fast! It’ll be really tender. Give it a try!
I don’t know, I always thought flank steak was tough. Maybe use a different cut? Just a thought.
This salad is amazing! The flavors are just perfect together. My family loved it!
It was okay, but I think it needed something more. Maybe some spicy dressing or nuts? Not what I expected.
Perfect for summer! So fresh and light, I can’t wait to make it again!
This salad is incredible! I never thought flank steak could work so well in a salad. My fam loved it!
salad??? where’s da crunch? not what i was hopin for.
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Loved the crunch of the veggies.
Could u use chicken instead? I like chicken better with salad.
Yum! The combo of flavors is so good. My whole family scarfed it down in minutes! 🍽️
The garlic and ginger made my house smell so good! Also, don’t forget the cilantro, it really makes a difference.
Yum!
Super easy and quick recipe. My kids even want to eat it! YAY!
That’s awesome! My kids are usually picky, so I’ll definitely give this a try!
I tried this recipe, but the steak turned out kinda tough. Maybe I cooked it too long? I’m not sure…
IDK about this recipe. Sounds fancy but I ain’t got time for marinating. I’ll just fry the meat and toss in some ranch.
I get it, marinating can be a hassle! But trust me, the sauce really makes a difference in flavor. Maybe just try it on a weekend?
Frying it with ranch? That’s not the same! You’re missing out on the taste. But hey, if you like it that way, go for it!
It’s just a salad, what’s the big deal? Meat on greens is not my idea of a meal.
Meat salad? Sounds bad but I tried it and now I love it. Just wow! 🍴
I thought I was supposed to cook the veggies first? Why do it this way? Confusing!
This salad was amazing! The flavors are so bold and fresh. Definitely making it again! 🤤
This was amazing! I loved the flavors. Will definitely make again!
I don’t think this tastes like Mongolian beef? More like a salad with beef. Weird mix.
I messed up the sauce, I put too much sugar and now it’s too sweet. Be careful with that part.
Yum! So good! I added some peanuts on top for crunch. Definitely making this again!
I made this for dinner yesterday, it was too sweet for my taste! Maybe less brown sugar next time?
I’m not even sure why you would put beef in a salad. Seems weird to me. A salad should be veggie!
Too much sauce! I could barely taste the salad beneath all that goo. Less is more, people. Learn it!
I disagree! I thought the sauce was perfect and really added flavor. It’s a dressing, not just a splash!
I’m not a fan of sesame oil, replaced it with olive oil. Still tasted good!
Something about raw onions gives me the creeps. I omitted them and added some bell peppers instead. Still good!