Sticky Beef Noodles is one of those quick and satisfying meals I turn to when I’m craving something savory, sweet, and full of umami flavor. Tender strips of beef are coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce and tossed with noodles for a dish that comes together fast and tastes like takeout — only better.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how fast and easy this dish is to make — it’s perfect for a busy weeknight. The beef turns out incredibly tender, and the sticky sauce clings beautifully to the noodles, packing every bite with flavor. I also enjoy how versatile it is; I can throw in any vegetables I have on hand or switch up the type of noodles I use. It’s a crowd-pleaser, whether I’m cooking for myself or feeding the family.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
8 oz noodles (rice noodles, egg noodles, or your favorite stir-fry noodles)
-
1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
-
2 tablespoons soy sauce
-
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
-
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
-
1 tablespoon brown sugar
-
1 tablespoon cornstarch
-
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-
1 tablespoon sesame oil
-
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
-
2 green onions, sliced
-
Optional: sesame seeds and chili flakes for garnish
Directions
-
I start by cooking the noodles according to package directions, then draining and setting them aside.
-
I toss the sliced beef in a bowl with cornstarch, black pepper, and a splash of soy sauce, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
-
In a small bowl, I mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil to make the sticky sauce.
-
I heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat and stir-fry the beef until it’s browned and cooked through, about 2–3 minutes. I remove it and set it aside.
-
In the same skillet, I sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then pour in the sticky sauce and let it bubble for a minute.
-
I return the beef to the skillet and toss in the cooked noodles, stirring until everything is coated in the sauce.
-
I finish with a sprinkle of green onions, and if I want some extra flavor, I add sesame seeds or chili flakes.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes 10 minutes to prep and about 15 minutes to cook, so I usually have dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Variations
Sometimes I add vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli to bulk it up. I also like using chicken or tofu as a protein alternative. For a spicy version, I stir in some sriracha or chili garlic paste into the sauce.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the noodles in a skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen them up. The microwave works too, but I prefer the skillet for keeping the texture just right.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, I sometimes use sirloin, skirt steak, or even ground beef if that’s what I have. As long as it’s thinly sliced, it works well.
What noodles work best?
I like using egg noodles or rice noodles, but lo mein or even spaghetti can work in a pinch.
How do I make the sauce spicier?
I add some crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chili paste to the sauce to bring up the heat.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely — I replace the beef with tofu or mushrooms and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
Can I prep this in advance?
Yes, I slice the beef and mix the sauce ahead of time to make cooking faster later. Just store both in the fridge until I’m ready to cook.
Conclusion
Sticky Beef Noodles is one of those dishes I rely on when I want something fast, flavorful, and satisfying. With its tender beef, rich sauce, and slurp-worthy noodles, it’s a dish I never get tired of making — or eating.
PrintSticky Beef Noodles
Sticky Beef Noodles is a quick and easy stir-fry recipe featuring tender beef strips tossed in a savory-sweet sticky sauce and served with noodles. This better-than-takeout dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is loaded with bold umami flavor, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Stir-Fry
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 8 oz noodles (rice noodles, egg noodles, or stir-fry noodles)
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Optional: sesame seeds and chili flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Toss sliced beef with cornstarch, black pepper, and a splash of soy sauce. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Stir-fry beef for 2–3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Pour in the sticky sauce and let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Return beef to the pan along with the cooked noodles. Toss everything to coat well in the sauce.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and chili flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Swap in chicken, tofu, or mushrooms for a different protein.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for extra nutrition.
- Make the sauce spicier with chili paste, sriracha, or red pepper flakes.
- Use any noodles you have on hand — even spaghetti works!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg