Description
This Caramelized Beef and Peanut Noodles recipe combines savory, sweet, and spicy flavors to create a delicious and satisfying stir-fry dish. Ground beef is caramelized with teriyaki and garlic, then tossed with stir-fried vegetables, chewy egg noodles, and a creamy peanut sauce. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy one-pan meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with plenty of vibrant colors and textures.
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
- 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 Garnishes
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced (white parts for cooking, green parts for garnish)
- 2-3 cups sliced stir-fry vegetables (red bell pepper, spinach, basil leaves recommended)
- Black pepper for serving
Noodles
- 6-ounce package stir-fry egg noodles (Wel-Pac chow mein recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: In a blender or mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, warm water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and chili garlic sauce. Blend or whisk until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat avocado oil in a large pan or skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and let it cook undisturbed for several minutes to develop browned spots. Then break the beef apart with a wooden spoon into small pieces.
- Caramelize the Beef: Sprinkle cornstarch over the beef and stir-fry quickly for 15-30 seconds. Add grated garlic and teriyaki sauce and cook for about one minute, allowing the sauce to sizzle and caramelize, releasing a rich aroma. Remove beef from the pan and keep warm by covering or placing in a 350°F oven.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add the white parts of the green onions and the sliced stir-fry vegetables. Add more oil if needed and sauté until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles according to the package instructions, usually about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent stickiness.
- Toss Together: Add the cooked noodles and most of the peanut sauce to the vegetables in the pan. Toss together for 1-2 minutes to combine and heat through, ensuring the noodles are coated and silky.
- Finish and Serve: Plate the noodles and vegetables mixture. Top with a scoop of the caramelized beef. Garnish with the reserved green parts of the green onions, a generous sprinkle of black pepper, and drizzle with remaining peanut sauce if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness and heat of the peanut sauce by varying the amount of sugar and chili garlic sauce.
- Feel free to use your favorite stir-fry vegetables or whatever you have on hand.
- To keep the beef warm, placing the pan in a 350°F oven is optional but helpful if preparing other components.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari sauce in place of soy sauce and ensure the teriyaki sauce is gluten-free.
- This dish pairs well with a squeeze of fresh lime juice or chopped peanuts for added texture.
