Imagine a dish that transforms ordinary beef into a tender, succulent masterpiece bursting with sweet and savory flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Pineapple recipe is not just a meal – it's a culinary adventure that brings the exotic tastes of Asian cuisine right to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a restaurant-quality dish that practically cooks itself!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, sliced thin
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the flank steak by slicing it against the grain into thin, uniform strips, approximately 1/4 inch thick to ensure tender and easy-to-eat pieces.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger to create a rich marinade that will infuse the beef with deep, sweet, and savory flavors.
- Place the thinly sliced flank steak into the slow cooker, ensuring the pieces are not clumped together to allow even cooking and sauce distribution.
- Pour the prepared marinade over the beef, making sure each slice is well-coated and saturated with the sauce.
- Add fresh pineapple chunks evenly across the top of the beef, which will provide a tangy sweetness and help tenderize the meat during slow cooking.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat, cooking for 4 hours until the beef becomes incredibly tender and easily pulls apart.
- Once cooking is complete, gently stir the beef to ensure it is well-coated with the sauce and pineapple.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions just before serving to add a fresh, sharp flavor and vibrant color.
- Serve hot over steamed white or brown rice, spooning extra sauce from the slow cooker over the top for maximum flavor.
Tips
- Meat Cutting Matters: Always slice the flank steak against the grain and as thinly as possible to ensure maximum tenderness. Use a sharp knife and slightly freeze the meat for 15-20 minutes to make slicing easier.
- Sauce Secrets: For an extra flavor boost, let the beef marinate in the sauce for 30 minutes before slow cooking if time permits. This will help the meat absorb more of those delicious flavors.
- Pineapple Perfection: Use fresh pineapple chunks if possible, as they provide better texture and a more vibrant flavor compared to canned alternatives.
- Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a little cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serving Suggestion: For added freshness and crunch, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or additional chopped green onions just before serving.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This dish tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 75mg
