Mongolian Beef and Broccoli (Low Carb Keto)

Mongolian Beef and Broccoli (Low Carb Keto Chinese) is better than takeout! You'll love our healthy version of this popular Chinese recipe. Tender beef and broccoli, with a sweet and savory ginger sesame sauce, make this easy dinner amazing. 

Less than 30 minutes to make and cooked in one pan. It's delicious served on its own or over riced cauliflower. A low carb and keto beef and broccoli that everyone can enjoy! Enjoy!

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Low Carb Keto Beef and Broccoli

"With tender beef, broccoli, and the amazing Asian sauce, this low carb keto beef and broccoli recipe is a HUGE hit in our house. My family says it's better than takeout." 🙂 -Kori

One Pan

In 30 minutes or less, you can have this delicious homemade Chinese recipe made at home - with only one pan! No Chinese takeout is required. 

Better Than Takeout

I don't know what it is, but I've always loved Mongolian beef and broccoli. I love the combination of the sweetness and saltiness with the beef and broccoli.

While I love Chinese food, I sometimes have strange reactions to the msg and salt, so I've started this much healthier version at home. I've found I actually like it more than takeout 🙂

This recipe passed my "teen test," and all three boys unanimously LOVED this recipe! I did not tell them I made the low-carb healthy version either! I'll keep that a secret.

Low Carb and Keto Chinese Recipe

With 21.5 g of fat, 3.9 g of net carbs, 29.3g of protein per serving, keto Mongolian beef works nicely if you follow a low carb gluten-free keto meal plan. 

Ingredients and Tools

Here are the ingredients and tools you'll need to make Low Carb Keto Beef and Broccoli:

Ingredients

There are 14 ingredients in this recipe, including salt and pepper. It's mostly all to make the sauce so it's super easy. Here's the list:

• Xanthan gum or cornstarch - xanthan gum is a low-carb thickener used in many keto dishes. You only need a tiny bit - a little goes a long way. You can also use cornstarch.
• Olive oil - you can also use avocado oil, coconut oil, or lard.
• Broccoli - cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. While many recipes saute the broccoli to cook it, I microwave steam first (only 3 minutes) - it's much quicker!
• Sirloin Steak - cut into 1/4" slices. You can also use the eye of round or sizzle steak. The last time I made this, I used sizzle steak (very thin slices of beef chuck shoulder). It worked like a charm - saved me from slicing, and they cooked faster, only 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side.
• Kosher Salt - sea salt can also be used
• Pepper
• Garlic - minced. You can use fresh, or if you're in a hurry, you can use jarred minced garlic.
• Ginger paste - to make it easier, I usually just buy the tubes of ginger paste.
• Coconut aminos sauce - the keto-friendly version of soy sauce. You can also use tamari (also keto-friendly) and soy sauce.
• Brown sugar substitute - I used a monk fruit blend with a 1:1 sugar ratio. You can also use regular brown sugar if you are not a low-carb and keto follower.
• Sesame oil - this recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. If you are not a sesame lover, you can use less. If you love it feel free to use more!
• Red pepper flakes - the recipe calls for 1/2 tsp, and the dish will be medium spicy, use 1/4 tsp for mild spice.
• Scallions - cut them on a diagonal for a prettier and more "authentic" look. (I'm probably the only one who cares about this, though) 🙂
• Sesame seeds

Tools

• Cutting Board
• Chefs knife
• Cast-iron 12" skillet (cast iron is my favorite!) - you can use a wok if you wish, but I found that a flat bottom skillet is easiest for browning the beef.
• Measuring spoons
• Dry measuring cups
• Liquid measuring cups 
• Microwave safe dish - to steam your broccoli in
• Mixing spoons

Variations

Here are some different ideas to vary this recipe or make substitutions.

• If you are not a low carb or keto follower, you can use regular brown sugar and soy sauce.
• Feel free to substitute some or all of the broccoli with other vegetables. Some ideas are cauliflower florets, zucchini, yellow squash, and mushrooms.
• If you do not want to use a thickener you can cook the sauce until it is slightly reduced. Because this is reducing the sauce slightly you may need adjust seasoning with coconut aminos.
• Use less red pepper flakes if you like your heat mild, use 1/2 tsp if you like a medium spice.

Step by Step Instructions

Here's how to make this delicious Mongolian Broccoli and Beef recipe:

Prep Ingredients

To help things run smoother I highly suggest you prep all ingredients in advance and have them ready to go.

In a small bowl, dissolve xanthan gum in 2 tsp olive oil and set aside (See image 1).

Steam Broccoli

In a covered microwave-safe dish, steam broccoli florets with 1/4 cup water, 3 to 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender when pierced with a fork. Drain water and set aside (See image 2).

Season and Cook Beef

Pat the beef dry with a paper towel. In a medium sized bowl add steak, salt, and pepper. Toss until well coated.

Heat 1/4 cup olive in a large skillet over medium-high heat until pan is hot. Lay slices of meat in the skillet, so they are flat.

Note: Your pan may continue to get hotter as you cook. Adjust the temperature down as needed.

Cook meat until brown, turn over, and brown the other side (cook approx. 2 minutes per side). Do not overcrowd the pan; work in small batches if you have to. Set meat slices aside on a plate and cover with foil. (See image 3)

Note: if your beef is sliced thinner than 1/4", cook only 1 to 1-1/2 minutes per side.

Make the Sauce

Add garlic and scallions to the skillet and saute for 1 minute.

Add ginger paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and xanthan gum mixture. Stir until the sauce starts to thicken. (See image 4)

Turn off heat, add beef (plus juices), broccoli, and sesame seeds. (See image 5)

Serve

Stir until combined. Serve on its own or over riced cauliflower. (See image 6)

Helpful Tips

• Make sure your pan is hot but the oil is not smoking. Place the beef in a little at a time to sear. Once it is seared, turn over and brown. Immediately remove from pan. The beef slices should only be cooking for about 2 minutes on each side. Thinner slices should cook even less.
• If you couldn't get your beef brown - don't worry. The dish will still taste good! It is better to take the beef out of the pan rather than overcooking it. 

✔️ More Asian Recipes

Here are some Asian keto recipes you might like to try:

• Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice [+Video]
• Instant Pot Pepper Steak
• Keto Stir Fry with Shrimp
• Crockpot Cashew Chicken
• Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
• Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken (Keto Low Carb)
• Coconut Cauliflower Rice (Keto Cauliflower Rice)
• How to Make Cauliflower Rice Easy Ways To Cook Cauliflower

⭐ Stay Connected

If you tried this Mongolian Beef and Broccoli Recipe, I'd love for you to come back and give it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! 🙂

📋 Recipe

Mongolian Beef And Broccoli

Better than takeout! You'll love our healthy version of this popular Chinese recipe. Tender beef and broccoli, with a sweet and savory ginger sesame sauce, make this dish amazing!  e)

4.69 from 16 votes

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Author Kori

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Main Dish Recipes

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 5 servings

Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ ½ teaspoon xanthan gum or 2 tsp cornstarch
• ▢ ¼ cup olive oil + 2 tsp you can also use coconut oil or lard
• ▢ 4 cups broccoli florets
• ▢ 1¼ to 1½ pounds sirloin steak or eye of round thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 3 cloves of garlic minced
• ▢ 5 scallions diagonally sliced 1" pieces
• ▢ 3 teaspoon ginger paste
• ▢ ½ cup coconut aminos sauce keto-friendly, tamari (keto-friendly), or soy sauce
• ▢ ½ cup brown sugar substitute with a 1:1 sugar ratio, or regular brown sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ▢ ½ tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, dissolve xanthan gum in 2 tsp olive oil and set aside.
• In a covered microwave-safe dish, steam broccoli florets with 1/4 cup water, 3 to 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender when pierced with a fork. Drain water and set aside.
• Dry beef and place in a small bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat all of the beef.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the pan is hot. Lay slices of meat in the skillet, so they are flat. Cook meat until brown, turn over, and brown the other side. Approximately 2 minutes total. Do not overcrowd the pan. Work in small batches if you have to. Set meat slices aside and cover with foil.
• Add garlic and scallions to the skillet and saute for 1 minute.
• Add ginger paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and xanthan gum mixture. Stir until the sauce starts to thicken.
• Turn off heat, add beef, broccoli, scallions, and sesame seeds. Stir until combined. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

• If your beef is sliced thinner than 1/4", cook only 1 to 1-1/2 minutes per side.
• SERVING SUGGESTION: Delicious served over riced cauliflower or steamed rice!
• Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/5 th of recipe (approx 1 1/2 cups)Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 6.1gProtein: 29.3gFat: 21.5gCholesterol: 75.3mgSodium: 602mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 1.7g

© 2023 Seeking Good Eats™

Mongolian Beef and Broccoli is so delicious and loaded with flavor! A low carb and keto beef and broccoli recipe that is perfect when you're craving Chinese takeout but want to stay healthy! This healthy recipe is made with tender beef and broccoli and a yummy Asian sauce perfect over cauliflower rice!  #seekinggoodeats #keto #lowcarb #beef #broccoli #dinner #chineserecipe #skillet #healthydinner #sugarfree #asianrecipe