Budaatai Khuurga (Mongolian Beef and Vegetables with Rice)
Local name: Будаатай хуурга
In short: Tender strips of beef stir-fried with onion, carrot and cabbage, then served over or mixed into plain rice. A simple Mongolian weeknight meal. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 560 kcal
Budaatai khuurga means fried food with rice, and it is as plain and filling as it sounds. Strips of beef are fried with onion, carrot and cabbage in a little water so they stay juicy, then mixed with steamed rice or piled on top. Mongolian home cooks season it lightly with salt, pepper and garlic. It is a common lunch in cities where rice is more available than in the countryside.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Put it in a pot with the water and salt, bring to a boil, cover and cook on low for 15 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes, covered.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wide pan or wok over high heat and stir-fry the beef for 3 to 4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil and cook the onions for 4 minutes. Add the carrots, cabbage and garlic and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Return the beef to the pan with the salt, pepper and hot water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the beef and vegetables over the rice, or mix everything together, and top with dill.
Tips
- Cut the beef against the grain into thin strips so it cooks quickly and stays tender. A short rest in the freezer makes slicing easier.
- Mutton is the traditional meat and gives a stronger flavor. Use boneless mutton or lamb leg strips in place of the beef and cook an extra 3 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I use leftover rice?
Yes. Day-old rice works well and can be stir-fried with the meat and vegetables for the last few minutes.
Can I make budaatai khuurga ahead of time?
The beef and vegetables keep for 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a hot pan with a splash of water and serve over fresh rice.
Is it the same as Chinese fried rice?
No. The rice is cooked separately and served with a saucy stir-fry. There is no soy sauce or egg in the traditional home version.
How long does it take to make Budaatai Khuurga (Mongolian Beef and Vegetables with Rice)?
About 55 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Budaatai Khuurga (Mongolian Beef and Vegetables with Rice)?
About 560 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 560 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
