This delicious beef and noodle stir fry recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender sliced beef and sweet, savory noodles in one satisfying dish.
It’s the kind of meal that comes together quickly after a busy day, offering a fantastic Asian-inspired flavor profile without a lengthy ingredient list or complicated steps.
Whether you’re new to stir-frying or a seasoned pro looking for a reliable go-to, this recipe delivers on flavor and ease. It’s designed to be family-friendly, making it a perfect choice for dinner when you need something both quick and genuinely tasty.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Quick and Easy Beef and Noodle Stir Fry
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This delicious beef and noodle stir fry recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender sliced beef and sweet, savory noodles in one satisfying dish. It’s the kind of meal that comes together quickly after a busy day, offering a fantastic Asian-inspired flavor profile without a lengthy ingredient list or complicated steps. Whether you’re new to stir-frying or a seasoned pro looking for a reliable go-to, this recipe delivers on flavor and ease. It’s designed to be family-friendly, making it a perfect choice for dinner when you need something both quick and genuinely tasty.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare the Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Toss well to coat the beef evenly. The cornstarch helps to tenderize the beef and create a slight crispness when cooked, while also thickening the sauce later. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
2. 2. Cook the Noodles: While the beef marinates, cook your lo mein or stir-fry noodles according to package directions. Most stir-fry noodles cook very quickly, often in just 3-5 minutes. Drain them well and toss with 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
3. 3. Saute Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil and remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large wok or a large non-stick skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften and become fragrant. Then, add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring for another 30 seconds until aromatic. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. 4. Cook the Beef: Push the aromatics to one side of the wok. Add the marinated beef in a single layer to the empty side of the wok and cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring, allowing it to sear and brown. Then, stir-fry the beef with the aromatics for another 2-3 minutes until it’s mostly cooked through and no longer pink. Remove the beef and aromatics from the wok and set aside.
5. 5. Build the Sauce: In the same wok, reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy. It should coat the back of a spoon.
6. 6. Combine Everything: Return the cooked beef and aromatics to the wok. Add the cooked noodles to the wok as well. Toss everything together vigorously with tongs, ensuring the noodles and beef are thoroughly coated in the savory sauce. Continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the flavors and heat through.
7. 7. Serve and Garnish: Transfer the beef and noodle stir fry to serving plates. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately with extra soy sauce on the side if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: stir-fry
- Cuisine: asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Keywords: beef, noodles, stir fry, asian, quick, easy, weeknight, dinner, hoisin, savory
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This beef and noodle stir fry is a fantastic solution for those evenings when time is short but you still crave a homemade, flavorful meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering a complete dinner in one pan (or wok!). The combination of tender beef and soft, slightly sweet noodles makes it a hit with both adults and kids, even picky eaters. The beauty of stir-frying is its speed; high heat and quick cooking mean you get a fresh, hot meal on the table in minutes. It’s also incredibly versatile, allowing for easy customization based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers. This recipe is for anyone looking for a satisfying, Asian-inspired dish that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, proving that delicious and fast can absolutely go hand-in-hand.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is key to a smooth stir-fry experience. This recipe uses readily available items that you can find at most grocery stores, making it simple to prepare even on short notice. The focus is on fresh flavors and tender textures, ensuring every bite is enjoyable.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 4 cups cooked lo mein noodles or similar stir-fry noodles
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
When it comes to the beef, flank steak or sirloin are excellent choices because they cook quickly and remain tender when sliced thinly against the grain. If you can’t find lo mein noodles, any type of medium-thick stir-fry noodle will work well, or even spaghetti in a pinch. For a gluten-free option, ensure your soy sauce is tamari and use gluten-free noodles. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your family’s spice preference; you can omit them entirely for a milder dish or add more for extra kick. Hoisin sauce is a cornerstone of the sweet and savory flavor, but if you’re out, a mix of soy sauce, a touch more brown sugar, and a dash of rice vinegar can be a decent substitute, though the flavor won’t be identical.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
The key to keeping this recipe quick is having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. Slicing the beef thinly and having your sauces mixed will shave precious minutes off your cooking time and ensure a smooth process.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious beef and noodle stir fry is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Toss well to coat the beef evenly. The cornstarch helps to tenderize the beef and create a slight crispness when cooked, while also thickening the sauce later. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
- Cook the Noodles: While the beef marinates, cook your lo mein or stir-fry noodles according to package directions. Most stir-fry noodles cook very quickly, often in just 3-5 minutes. Drain them well and toss with 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil and remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large wok or a large non-stick skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften and become fragrant. Then, add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring for another 30 seconds until aromatic. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the Beef: Push the aromatics to one side of the wok. Add the marinated beef in a single layer to the empty side of the wok and cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring, allowing it to sear and brown. Then, stir-fry the beef with the aromatics for another 2-3 minutes until it’s mostly cooked through and no longer pink. Remove the beef and aromatics from the wok and set aside.
- Build the Sauce: In the same wok, reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy. It should coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked beef and aromatics to the wok. Add the cooked noodles to the wok as well. Toss everything together vigorously with tongs, ensuring the noodles and beef are thoroughly coated in the savory sauce. Continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the flavors and heat through.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the beef and noodle stir fry to serving plates. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately with extra soy sauce on the side if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This beef and noodle stir fry is incredibly adaptable, making it a perfect base for numerous variations and serving suggestions. To make it even more kid-friendly, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes entirely. Adding a handful of frozen peas or shredded carrots during the last few minutes of cooking can also boost the vegetable content in a way that’s often accepted by younger palates. For a different texture, consider adding some chopped bell peppers or broccoli florets along with the onion.
If you’re serving a crowd or want to make it a more substantial meal, you can easily double the recipe. It pairs wonderfully with a simple side of steamed white rice, which can help soak up any extra sauce. For an added crunch, consider topping individual servings with a sprinkle of chopped roasted peanuts or cashews. A side salad with a light vinaigrette also makes a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors of the stir fry. This dish is also fantastic for meal prepping; simply divide into containers for easy lunches throughout the week.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your beef and noodle stir fry turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent mistake is overcrowding the wok or skillet. When too much beef is added at once, the temperature of the pan drops, and the beef ends up steaming instead of searing. This leads to grey, tough meat rather than beautifully browned, tender pieces. To avoid this, cook the beef in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space for it to sear properly.
Another common issue is overcooking the beef. Flank steak and sirloin cook very quickly, especially when thinly sliced. Overcooking will make the beef dry and chewy. Keep a close eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it’s mostly cooked through, as it will continue to cook slightly when returned to the hot sauce.
Not having all ingredients prepped before cooking is another common slip-up. Stir-frying is a very fast cooking method, and once you start, there’s little time to chop vegetables or measure sauces. This can lead to burnt aromatics or unevenly cooked ingredients. Always practice “mise en place” – have everything chopped, measured, and ready to go before the heat goes on.
Finally, using too low heat can prevent the desired stir-fry texture. A wok or skillet needs to be very hot to achieve that characteristic sear and quick cooking. Ensure your pan is properly heated before adding any ingredients, and don’t be afraid to keep the heat high throughout the cooking process.
How To Store It And Make Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This beef and noodle stir fry is fantastic for leftovers, making it a great option for meal prep or a quick lunch the next day. To store any remaining stir fry, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, the best method
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
