Struggling to find one meal the entire family will eat without a chorus of “eww”? I’ve been there more times than I can count. You want something healthy and exciting, but the kids just want plain pasta. Again.
That’s why I’m so excited to share our family’s Mongolian Venison Stir Fry recipe with you. I know “venison” might sound fancy, but trust me on this one. It’s become our secret weapon for a dinner that’s a total crowd-pleaser, much like our popular Keto Stir Fry.
This dish is all about that sweet and savory sauce that everyone loves, paired with tender meat and crisp veggies. It comes together faster than you can argue about screen time, and it’s perfect for loading over a fluffy bed of rice.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Category: Quick Dinner, Stir Fry
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!
My kids used to turn their noses up at anything new. The magic here is in the sauce and the serving style. The sauce is just sticky and sweet enough to be familiar and comforting.
We serve it as a “build your own bowl” night. Kids love having control. They can pick their ratio of rice to meat to veggies. The venison gets super tender and soaks up all that amazing flavor, making it a much friendlier texture than chewy steak.
It’s a sneaky way to introduce a lean, healthy protein they might not have tried before, wrapped up in a taste they already recognize and adore.
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
I promise, nothing here is weird or hard to find. You can grab almost everything from your regular grocery store.
- For the Meat & Marinade: 1.5 lbs venison steak or stew meat (beef works great too!), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch.
- For the Famous Sauce: 1/2 cup soy sauce (we use low-sodium), 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 3-4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp fresh grated ginger, 1 tbsp rice vinegar.
- For the Stir Fry: 2 tbsp cooking oil (like avocado or vegetable), 1 large onion (sliced), 2-3 bell peppers (any color, sliced), 3-4 green onions (chopped).
- For Serving: Cooked white or brown rice, extra green onions for garnish.
How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This
Getting little hands involved is my top trick for getting little mouths to eat. It builds excitement and ownership over the meal.
Task 1: The Veggie Washer & Tearer. Have them rinse the bell peppers and green onions. They can also tear the bell peppers into chunks with their hands instead of slicing—it’s fun and safe!
Mongolian Venison Stir Fry Recipe
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Mongolian Venison Stir Fry Recipe!
Nutrition Information
Task 2: The Sauce Stirrer. Kids can measure and mix all the sauce ingredients in a big measuring cup or bowl. Let them whisk it until the brown sugar dissolves. It’s like a tasty science experiment.
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Don’t let the steps fool you—this is seriously fast. Get your rice cooking first, and you’ll be sitting down to eat in no time.
- Prep the meat. Slice the venison against the grain into thin strips. Toss it in a bowl with the 2 tbsp soy sauce and cornstarch. Let it sit while you chop the veggies.
- Make the stir fry sauce. In that separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Set it aside.
- Cook the meat. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the marinated venison in a single layer. Let it sear for about 1 minute per side until browned. Remove it to a clean plate.
- Cook the veggies. Add the other tbsp of oil to the pan. Toss in the onions and bell peppers. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes until they are just starting to soften but are still crisp.
- Bring it all together. Return the cooked meat to the pan with the veggies. Give your sauce another quick stir and pour it over everything.
- Let it get sticky! Bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it bubble for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. The sauce will thicken and turn beautifully glossy, coating every piece.
- Finish and serve. Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped green onions. Serve immediately over hot rice.
Fun Twists for Different Tastes
Every family has different taste buds. Here’s how we tweak it to keep everyone happy.
For the Sauce-Sensitive Kid: Serve the sauce on the side! Let them dip their meat and rice, or pour just a little over their portion. It gives them control.
For Extra Veggie Power: Toss in a handful of broccoli florets or matchstick carrots with the peppers. The more color, the better!
For the Adults: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha at the end. You could even add some crispy bacon bits on top for a smoky crunch, similar to the hearty flavors in our Mexican Style Beef and Potato Fry Up.
Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)
This is a fantastic make-ahead meal for those crazy weeks. Let the stir fry cool completely.
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just pop a portion in the microwave with a splash of water. You can also warm it gently in a skillet on the stove.
The flavors actually get even better the next day. It’s a lifesaver for lunch or a second dinner.
Nutrition Notes
- High-Quality Protein: Venison is incredibly lean and packed with protein to keep everyone full.
- Vitamin Boost: Bell peppers are loaded with Vitamin C, great for growing immune systems.
- Customizable: Using low-sodium soy sauce helps control salt. Serve with brown rice for extra fiber.
- Lower in Fat: This is a much lighter option than takeout, but doesn’t skimp on flavor at all.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use a different meat if I don’t have venison?
Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible. Thinly sliced beef sirloin, flank steak, or even ground turkey or chicken work perfectly. Just adjust the cooking time for ground meat until it’s fully cooked through.
My family doesn’t like bell peppers. What can I use instead?
No problem at all. Try sliced mushrooms, snap peas, or even small broccoli florets. You can also just use a big pile of onions and call it a day. Use what your people will eat.
Is the ginger really necessary?
It gives that classic, warm flavor, but if you don’t have it or have a ginger-hater, you can skip it. A tiny pinch of ground ginger (about 1/4 tsp) can stand in, or just leave it out. The dish will still be delicious.
I really hope this recipe brings a peaceful, tasty dinner to your table. It’s saved my sanity on more than one “I don’t know what to cook” night.
The best part is watching everyone dig in and ask for seconds. That’s a win in my book. Give it a try this week and see what your crew thinks!
I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Please leave a comment and rating below!
