Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Udon Noodles (Print View)
Vibrant stir fry with tender beef, crisp vegetables, and chewy udon noodles in a spicy, savory sauce. Serves 4 in 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 14 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
→ Noodles
05 - 14 oz fresh or pre-cooked udon noodles
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small carrot, julienned
08 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced
09 - 3.5 oz sugar snap peas, trimmed
10 - 2 spring onions, sliced, plus extra for garnish
→ Sauce
11 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
13 - 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 2 teaspoons brown sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Aromatics
17 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Cooking
19 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - In a bowl, combine sliced beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and water until well combined.
03 - Prepare udon noodles according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add marinated beef and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
05 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok. Stir-fry garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add onions, bell pepper, carrot, and sugar snap peas. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
06 - Return beef to wok with cooked noodles and spring onions. Pour sauce over ingredients and toss for 2 to 3 minutes until evenly coated and heated through.
07 - Divide between serving bowls and garnish with additional spring onions. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sauce hits that perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory that makes you want to lick the plate when nobody is looking.
- Everything comes together in about 35 minutes, making it my go-to for those evenings when I want something that tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen but actually didnt.
02 -
- Dont overcook the beef in the first step, it will return to the wok later and continue cooking, so keeping it slightly underdone initially prevents tough, chewy meat.
- The order of cooking matters tremendously, I once threw everything in together and ended up with mushy vegetables and tough beef instead of the perfect texture contrast this dish deserves.
03 -
- Prepare and arrange all your ingredients before turning on the heat, because once you start cooking, everything moves extremely quickly.
- If your wok isnt large enough, cook in batches rather than crowding the pan, as overcrowding causes steaming instead of stir-frying and youll miss out on those delicious caramelized flavors.