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Air Fryer Mongolian Beef Strips, air fryer dinner recipes for busy nights
Brittany Stage

Air Fryer Mongolian Beef Strips

Thin-sliced flank steak and broccoli florets tossed in a savory soy and oyster sauce glaze cook together in the air fryer at high heat, picking up slightly charred edges that taste like they came from a very hot wok. Serve over steamed rice for a dinner that is genuinely faster than ordering takeout.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-American
Calories: 370
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb flank steak partially frozen for 20 minutes before slicing, then sliced thin against the grain
  • 3 cups broccoli florets cut into roughly equal bite-size pieces
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce low-sodium preferred
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated or finely minced
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch helps the sauce cling and caramelize
  • 1 tsp sesame oil added after cooking for flavor
  • 1 tsp brown sugar optional, balances the saltiness
  • 2 cups cooked white rice for serving

Equipment

  • air fryer (5 to 6 quart recommended)
  • large mixing bowl
  • sharp knife and cutting board
  • tongs

Method
 

  1. About 20 minutes before you start, place the flank steak in the freezer. This firms it up just enough so you can slice it into thin, even strips without the meat sliding around. Slice against the grain into strips about 1/4 inch thick.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, cornstarch, and brown sugar if using. Add the sliced beef and the broccoli florets to the bowl and toss everything together until well coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes while the air fryer preheats.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F for 3 minutes. Spread the beef and broccoli in as even a layer as possible in the basket. Some overlap is fine, but try not to pile it more than two layers deep or the bottom pieces will steam instead of getting those good charred edges.
  4. Air fry at 390 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes, pausing halfway through to toss everything with tongs. This ensures even browning and keeps the broccoli from burning on top while the beef underneath stays pale.
  5. At the 10-minute mark, check the beef. The edges should look slightly charred and the broccoli should have some browning on the tips. The beef should be cooked through with no pink visible in the thickest pieces. If it looks pale, add 2 more minutes.
  6. Transfer to a bowl immediately and drizzle sesame oil over the top. Toss once more so the sesame oil coats everything. Serve over steamed white rice, spooning any sauce that pooled in the basket back over the top.

Notes

Do not skip tossing halfway through. Without it, the top layer chars while the bottom stays pale. If your air fryer basket is small, cook in two batches for best results rather than overcrowding.