Description
Caramelized Beef and Peanut Noodles is a flavorful stir-fry dish combining tender ground beef caramelized with teriyaki and garlic, vibrant stir-fry vegetables, and silky egg noodles tossed in a creamy, savory peanut sauce. This easy-to-make recipe takes just 40 minutes and delivers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors with rich textures, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (Bachan’s recommended)
- 1 clove garlic, grated
Peanut Sauce
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
Vegetables and Garnish
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced (green parts saved for garnish)
- 2-3 cups sliced stir-fry veggies (e.g., red bell pepper, spinach, basil leaves)
Noodles
- 6-ounce package stir-fry egg noodles (Wel-Pac chow mein recommended)
Finishing
- Black pepper for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, warm water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and chili garlic sauce. Blend until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
- Cook Beef: Heat avocado oil in a skillet or pan over high heat. Add ground beef and let it cook undisturbed for several minutes to develop browned spots. Then break the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Caramelize the Beef: Sprinkle cornstarch over the beef and stir-fry quickly for 15-30 seconds. Add grated garlic and teriyaki sauce, cook for about a minute. The mixture will sizzle and caramelize, filling the kitchen with wonderful aromas. Remove the caramelized beef from the pan and keep warm by covering or placing in a 350°F oven.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same pan, add more oil if needed and sauté the white parts of the green onions together with your choice of stir-fry vegetables until just tender.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles in water for about 3 minutes or according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Toss Together: Add the cooked noodles and most of the prepared peanut sauce to the pan with the sautéed veggies. Toss and stir for 1-2 minutes to combine everything well and heat through.
- Finish and Serve: Plate the peanut noodles and top with a scoop of the caramelized beef. Garnish with the reserved green parts of green onions and a generous sprinkle of black pepper. Drizzle with any remaining peanut sauce if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- If you prefer, substitute the avocado oil with another neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil.
- Adjust the chili garlic sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh vegetables you have on hand; bell peppers, spinach, and basil work especially well.
- To keep the beef warm, placing it in a preheated 350°F oven is preferable if you are preparing other components.
- Rinsing noodles with cold water stops them from sticking and overcooking.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce and teriyaki sauce with gluten-free versions and use gluten-free noodles.
