Craving the rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavors of your favorite Mongolian beef takeout but want to keep it healthy? You’ve come to the right place. This Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef recipe delivers all the addictive flavor of the classic dish in a fraction of the time, using simple, keto-friendly ingredients. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights.
This entire meal comes together in one skillet in under 20 minutes, making it the perfect solution when you need dinner on the table fast. Using ground beef not only makes it incredibly quick to cook but also budget-friendly. Get ready to ditch the delivery apps and create a delicious, guilt-free meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef is a Weeknight Winner
You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why it will become a staple in your meal rotation.
Incredibly Fast: From prep to plate, this entire dish is ready in 20 minutes or less. It’s the ultimate answer to the “what’s for dinner?” question on a hectic day.
Packed with Flavor: A simple combination of ginger, garlic, and a sugar-free sauce creates a bold, authentic taste that rivals any restaurant version. You won’t believe it’s low-carb!
Budget-Friendly: Ground beef is an economical protein choice, making this an affordable meal for the whole family. It’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
Healthy & Keto-Friendly: With no added sugar and served over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, this recipe is perfect for anyone following a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle. For another amazing beef dish, check out our popular Thai Basil Beef Rolls.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe is in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the signature sweet and savory sauce and the hearty beef base.
For the Mongolian Ground Beef:
Ground Beef: We recommend using 85/15 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness.
Avocado Oil: A neutral, high-heat oil perfect for browning the beef.
Garlic & Ginger: Freshly minced garlic and ginger are essential for building a deep flavor base.
Green Onions: We’ll use the white parts for cooking and the green parts for a fresh garnish.
For the Sugar-Free Mongolian Sauce:
Coconut Aminos or Tamari: A gluten-free and low-carb substitute for soy sauce.
Brown Sugar Substitute: An erythritol-based sweetener mimics the classic brown sugar taste.
Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic depth to the sauce.
Xanthan Gum: Our secret weapon for thickening the sauce without using cornstarch.
How to Make Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a stunning meal ready in no time. It’s as easy as browning the beef and stirring in the sauce.
Brown the Beef: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, water, brown sugar substitute, and sesame oil.
Combine and Thicken: Pour the sauce over the ground beef mixture. Bring to a simmer. Sprinkle the xanthan gum evenly over the top and whisk vigorously to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef beautifully.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with the green parts of the sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
One skillet is all you need for this flavor-packed dinner.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Sauce
The sauce is the star of the show. Here are a few expert tips to ensure it turns out perfect every single time.
Don’t Skip the Xanthan Gum: This is the key to a thick, glossy sauce without the carbs of cornstarch. A little goes a long way!
Whisk, Whisk, Whisk: When you add the xanthan gum, be sure to whisk it in quickly and thoroughly to prevent any clumps from forming.
Taste and Adjust: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or saltiness to your liking. Add a splash more coconut aminos for saltiness or a pinch more sweetener if you prefer.
This Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef is perfect for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes or gently warm it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. The sauce will thicken slightly in the fridge but will return to its original consistency once warmed. If you’re looking for another great Asian-inspired meal, try our fan-favorite Butter Chicken Recipe (coming soon).
We use a tiny amount of xanthan gum. It’s a powerful low-carb thickener that creates a glossy, rich sauce without adding any carbs or flavor. Just be sure to whisk it in well to avoid clumps.
The best low-carb and gluten-free substitutes for soy sauce are coconut aminos or tamari. Coconut aminos are slightly sweeter, while tamari has a flavor profile very close to traditional soy sauce.
Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic for meal prep. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors meld together and it reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Yes, this recipe is very versatile. Ground turkey or ground chicken would also work well as a substitute for ground beef.
The Best Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef Recipe
FL Recipes
Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef: A 20-Minute Keto Delight
This Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef recipe is the ultimate 20-minute meal. It's a keto-friendly, gluten-free, and incredibly flavorful dish that's even better than takeout, perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the minced garlic, minced ginger, and the white parts of the green onions to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, water, brown sugar substitute, and sesame oil.
Pour the sauce over the ground beef mixture. Bring to a simmer. Sprinkle the xanthan gum evenly over the top and whisk vigorously to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Remove from heat. Garnish with the green parts of the sliced green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcalProtein: 24gFat: 25gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For a little heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger. Tip 2: Ensure you whisk the xanthan gum in quickly to avoid any clumps for a perfectly smooth sauce.
We’d love to see your creations! If you make this Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef, leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share a photo of your dish on Pinterest and tag us!
Ready in 20 minutes, this Low-Carb Mongolian Ground Beef is the perfect weeknight meal!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
