Description
Caramelized Beef and Peanut Noodles is a flavorful and satisfying dish combining perfectly browned ground beef with a creamy peanut sauce, tender stir-fried vegetables, and chewy egg noodles. This dish balances savory, sweet, and spicy notes complemented with fresh green onions and black pepper, making it a quick and delicious meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Cooking
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (I used Bachan’s)
- 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 saved for garnish)
- 2-3 cups sliced stir-fry veggies (red bell pepper, spinach, and basil leaves recommended)
Noodles and Seasoning
- 6-ounce package stir-fry egg noodles (e.g., Wel-Pac chow mein stir fry noodles)
- Black pepper for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, warm water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and chili garlic sauce together until smooth and creamy to create a flavorful peanut sauce.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat avocado oil in a pan over high heat. Add the ground beef and let it cook undisturbed for several minutes until browned spots form. Then break it apart into small pieces using 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, cooking for about a minute until the mixture sizzles and caramelizes, releasing a wonderful aroma. Remove from the pan, set aside, and keep warm, either covered or placed in a 350°F oven.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, sauté the white parts of the green onions and the sliced stir-fry vegetables, adding more oil if necessary, until tender but still crisp.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the egg noodles for 3 minutes or according to package instructions. Rinse them with cold water afterward to prevent them from sticking together.
- Toss Together: Add the cooked noodles and most of the peanut sauce to the skillet with vegetables. Toss and stir for 1-2 minutes until everything is well coated and heated through. Serve immediately to enjoy the noodles while hot and silky.
- Finish and Serve: Plate the peanut noodles and top with a generous scoop of caramelized beef. Garnish with the reserved green onion tops, a liberal sprinkle of black pepper, and drizzle with any remaining peanut sauce if desired.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of sugar and chili garlic sauce in the peanut sauce according to your preferred sweetness and heat level.
- Use fresh vegetables of your choice for stir-frying to enhance flavors and nutrition.
- Keeping the caramelized beef warm in the oven helps maintain its texture and temperature.
- Rinsing noodles with cold water stops cooking and prevents clumping, ensuring perfect texture.
- The dish is best served immediately to preserve the silky texture of the noodles and freshness of the vegetables.
