Copycat PF Chang's Mongolian Beef tastes just like PF Chang's version, but is made much healthier, and cheaper, at home!
A couple weeks ago during girl’s weekend, my Mom and I decided to pop into PF Changs for a delectable dinner out.
Right away we agreed to split an entree, as they’re usually plenty big enough for two. One order of my Mom’s favorite Chinese dish of all time – Mongolian Beef – comin’ right up!
The first bite was simply sensational. The thinly sliced beef melted in our mouths, while the consistency and taste of the subtly-sweet sauce was spot on.
It was nearly, dare I say, perfect.
Only nearly perfect though, because the teeny-tiny plate sitting on our table was hardly enough for one, AND it was overflowing with 5 times as many green onions as pieces of beef!
“Where’s the BEEF?!” we wanted to shout!
“I’m going to write a letter.” my Mom declared, in between bites of delectable but hard-to-find meat unearthed from an endless supply of green onions.
My Mom’s a letter writer. If you mess with her, she will totally tell someone about it.
“Mom, don’t write a letter.” I tried to reason with her. “This is clearly a travesty, but nobody at PFC’s really cares what we think,” knowing she’d write one anyways.
Which, obviously, she did. And, obviously, got a $25 gift certificate in the mail because of it!! “Uh-HUH!” she exclaimed when she ripped open the letter.
This recipe’s for you, Mom.
May you never have to write another Mongolian Beef related letter ever again.
Why buy overpriced, undersized, nearly non-existent Mongolian Beef (chicken, or salmon!) at a restaurant, when you can easily make it at home?!
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1/2 bunch asparagus, trimmed then cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
- 1 inch knob of ginger, peeled then grated or finely minced
- 1/2 cup gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not gluten free
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 green onions, cut into thirds
- cooked rice, for serving
Directions
- Toss the flank steak with cornstarch in a plastic bag until all the pieces are coated. Empty the beef into a colander then shake off excess cornstarch. Set aside.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add asparagus then saute for 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger then saute until extremely fragrant, 30 seconds, being careful not to let the garlic burn. Add Tamari, water and brown sugar then turn heat down to medium and let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a bowl then set aside.
- Heat remaining 1-1/2 Tablespoons oil in the same skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring every so often, until it is just barely cooked. Some pink still showing is ok. Add the sauce with asparagus back into the skillet, turn the heat down to medium-low, then simmer until sauce reaches your desired thickness.
- Stir in green onions then serve over cooked rice.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Have you tried Phoenix Chinese in Waukee (15700 Hickman Rd)? I believe it is run by the same people that USED TO run Dragon House years and years ago. (If you have eaten at Dragon House in the last 10 years or so don’t judge!) They offer lunch portions and dinner portions all day. Lunch portion=perfect size meal, steamed or fried rice, egg roll, crab rangoon & soup (hot & sour or egg drop) for like $6 or so. Awesome deal!!!
I loooooooove PF Changs! I can’t believe you had a small portion! That’s crazy, mine are always huuuuge! I wouldn’t have written a letter, but I might start if bad things happen!
This is my favorite thing from there! I must try this, it will save me lots of time (I drive 45 minutes one way for it) and money (a kids meal, a meal for me and two for the man gets pricey.)
This post has me adding you to my list of must reads, you obviously know what’s up!
I am making this TONIGHT! That looks amazing!
Oh Im the letter writer too. I write them all over the place! I note the names of people too and include them in the letters! That is not good but customer service has gone so far out the window these days! I’ve converted my BF to a letter writer too!
Yes! What is it? I’ve had things in one place in the cupboards and drawers for years and my sweet, loving husband (he really is) can’t seem to remember where things go, and certainly can’t find them back no matter how badly he needs the certain something for which he is searching. It’s actually amazing. I am often baffled by mother nature and how this could possibly have a genetic advantage? Then I remember…men like things that move. I really believe that if the clothes in malls ran around, and men had to chase or shoot them, then men would be the ones wanting to shop all the time instead of women. I’ll be trying your recipe. It sounds great, although I have to say that I’m also a big Changs fan also and Mongolian Beef is one of my favorites there and I normally have leftovers. I hope your experience was just a fluke. Thanks for the daily laugh!
Yum, I have to make that dish for my boyfriend.
I came across some funny local news and thought you’d enjoy it:
Assaulted with a bratwurst? Lol!!!
“Police documented grease marks on Jones’ clothing for the police report.” CLASS-IC.
….dang!!!!! I think I’m going to BECOME a letter writer! Sounds like a great gig!
Lol – I’m in my car for three hours per day all summer! Working a temp job, hooray! So… yea, it’s a mess. But my place is relatively clean. Weird, right.
I try to say something at the time if I’m disappointed with anything at restaurants. My g-ma is the worst though, she’ll eat 80% of her food, THEN complain, THEN get it all for free. What?!
I am a letter/e-mail writer if the time applies for it, but the last time I was really really upset with an establishment I didn’t hear a single peep back ! Which made me even more upset! Glad your mom was successful. And glad you this dish was also a success!
Hi! I just started reading your blog and I absolutely love your stories, the pictures, the recipes, everything! I tried one of your Chinese fake-out recipes (the lettuce wraps) last week and me and my husband devoured them, excited to try this one! :)
I’m such a letter writer. Or e-mailer. I get it from my dad. My bf is worse though, he writes letters ALL.THE.TIME. But he gets a lot of gift certificates out of it so… I guess… do what you gotta!
You’re so good about cooking new things, I need to take more risks in the kitchen!!
That beef looks truly incredible. Love the brown sugar and soy sauce combo!!