Beef Udon Noodles (ready in 20 minutes)

Craving for some Japanese cuisine? This beef udon stir fry is a lifesaver! Tender slices of beef, perfectly cooked udon noodles, and a savory sauce with a kick of chili crisp make this dish an instant hit. There is nothing better than thick chewy noodles. 

This amazing 20 minute Japanese food is perfect for busy weeknights. This easy recipe is a perfect and delicious meal that everyone will love.

If you like this recipe, you'll love Ground Beef Noodle Stir Fry, Chicken Scallion Noodles, and my favorite 10 minute recipe, Spicy Miso Noodles. 

Jump to:

• Here's what you need to make Beef Udon Noodles
• How to make beef udon noodle stir fry
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• 9 Kitchen Essentials
• How to store and reheat
• 3 top tips for success
• Beef Udon Noodles - FAQs
• Related
• How to serve Fresh Udon Noodles
• Don't miss out!
• Beef Udon Noodles (ready in 20 minutes)
• Food safety

Here's what you need to make Beef Udon Noodles

Beef Udon Sauce:

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make beef udon noodle stir fry

This beef udon noodle stir fry is ready in 20 minutes. Here's how you make it.

Method:

Prepare the Beef:

• In a bowl, mix the beef slices with baking soda, cornstarch, soy sauce, and white pepper. 
• Mix well and let it marinate for 10 minutes.

Prepare the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili crisp, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and set aside.

Cook the Udon Noodles:

• BOILING WATER: Cook the udon noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. 

• MICROWAVE: microwave on high for 3 minutes or until softened. 

Cook the Beef:

• Add a bit more oil to the center of the skillet.
• Add the marinated beef slices and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.

Stir Fry the Veggies:

• Heat a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add a bit of oil.
• Add the minced garlic and stir fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the veggies (bell pepper, beans, etc.) and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.

Combine and Serve:

• Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet and the beef. 
• Pour the sauce over the noodles, beef, and veggies. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
• Adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Serve immediately, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Substitutions

• Beef slices (sirloin beef): Swap out sirloin beef for flank steak or ribeye if you're feeling fancy. For a lighter twist, try chicken breast or thighs. Vegetarians, tofu is your best friend here.
• Baking soda: No need to worry if you don't have this. Just omit it.
• Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or potato starch are perfect thickening alternatives.
• Soy sauce: Regular or dark soy sauce, tamari (for a gluten-free option), coconut aminos, or liquid aminos are great substitutes.
• White pepper: Black pepper works just as well.
• Veggies of your choice (e.g., bell pepper, beans): Switch it up with broccoli, snap peas, carrots, zucchini, shiitake mushrooms, or bok choy for a colorful and tasty mix.
• Garlic: If you're out of fresh garlic, garlic powder or garlic paste will do the trick.
• Rice vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even lemon juice can stand in.
• Chili crisp (Fly by Jing): Bring the heat with sriracha, gochujang, or red pepper flakes mixed with a bit of vegetable oil.
• Oyster sauce: Hoisin sauce or a blend of regular soy sauce and a touch of honey with sesame oil can mimic the flavor.
• Sugar or any sweetener: Honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, bell peppers or brown sugar are sweet stand-ins.
  
  Additional Ingredients:
• Wheat noodles: If you prefer a different noodle, try soba (buckwheat flour noodles) for a nutty flavor.
• Bonito flakes: Add a dash of umami with bonito flakes for an authentic touch.

Equipment

• Wok
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoon 
• Bowls 

How to store and reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to the stir fry and microwave for a couple of minutes, stirring halfway, or reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Beef Udon Noodles - FAQs

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

How to serve Fresh Udon Noodles

As a busy mom, I tend to keep things simple for dinner and stick to a protein, side, and salad or roasted vegetables. Here are some ideas for (name of recipe):

• Serve with rice and a side of Garlic Braised Kale. 
• Pair with Garlic Fried Rice.
• Also, serve this with Asian Coleslaw as a refreshing side salad.

Food safety

• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.