Sesame Beef Stir-Fry Noodles is one of those meals I turn to when I need something fast, flavorful, and comforting. It’s loaded with tender strips of beef, vibrant veggies, and slurp-worthy noodles, all coated in a savory sesame-soy sauce that brings everything together in one delicious bowl.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s a complete meal in a single pan, which means fewer dishes and more time to relax. The flavors are bold and satisfying—perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or even meal prep. Plus, I can customize the veggies and protein based on what I have on hand.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
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Soy sauce
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Sesame oil
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Garlic, minced
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Fresh ginger, minced
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Brown sugar or honey
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Rice vinegar
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Cornstarch
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Water
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Noodles (udon, rice noodles, or spaghetti)
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Bell peppers, thinly sliced
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Carrots, julienned
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Broccoli florets
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Green onions, chopped
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Toasted sesame seeds
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Vegetable oil for cooking
Directions
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I start by marinating the beef in a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and a touch of brown sugar for about 15–20 minutes.
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While it marinates, I cook the noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set them aside.
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I mix a sauce using soy sauce, rice vinegar, more sesame oil, a little cornstarch, and water to create a glossy stir-fry sauce.
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In a hot skillet or wok, I heat some vegetable oil and cook the beef in batches until browned and just cooked through, then remove and set it aside.
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In the same pan, I stir-fry the vegetables for 3–4 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
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I add the beef back to the pan, pour in the sauce, and toss in the noodles. I stir everything together until it’s coated and heated through.
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I finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook, so the total time is approximately 35 minutes from start to finish.
Variations
When I want to mix it up, I use chicken, shrimp, or tofu instead of beef. I also swap in different vegetables like snow peas, zucchini, or baby corn depending on what I have. For extra heat, I add chili flakes or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and keep the noodles from sticking.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, I often use flank steak or skirt steak, but sirloin works great too. The key is slicing it thinly against the grain for tenderness.
What type of noodles work best?
I prefer thick noodles like udon or lo mein, but rice noodles and even spaghetti work well. It’s all about what texture I’m in the mood for.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Definitely. I use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and make sure my noodles are gluten-free.
How do I keep the beef tender?
I marinate it briefly and cook it quickly over high heat. Overcooking or slicing too thick can make it tough.
Can I freeze this stir-fry?
I don’t recommend freezing the noodles, as they can become mushy. But I sometimes freeze just the cooked beef and sauce separately for quicker meals later.
Conclusion
Sesame Beef Stir-Fry Noodles is a fast, flavorful dinner I keep in regular rotation. It’s flexible, satisfying, and always hits the spot. Whether I’m cooking for family or prepping lunch for the week, this stir-fry delivers every time.
PrintSesame Beef Stir-Fry Noodles
Sesame Beef Stir-Fry Noodles is a fast and flavorful one-pan meal with tender beef, vibrant veggies, and slurp-worthy noodles tossed in a savory sesame-soy sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or easy meal prep!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
- For the beef & marinade:
- ¾ lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey
- For the stir-fry sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- For the noodles & stir-fry:
- 8 oz noodles (udon, rice noodles, or spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl, marinate the sliced beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar for 15–20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water to make the stir-fry sauce.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Cook beef in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, stir-fry broccoli, bell pepper, and carrots for 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Return beef to the pan, add cooked noodles, and pour in the stir-fry sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Swap beef with chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Use any mix of veggies: snow peas, zucchini, or mushrooms work great.
- Add chili flakes or chili garlic sauce for heat.
- For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos and gluten-free noodles.
- Stir-fry quickly over high heat to keep beef tender and veggies crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
