Description
This Caramelized Beef and Peanut Noodles recipe combines savory ground beef caramelized with teriyaki and garlic, with a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce tossed together with stir-fried veggies and tender egg noodles. A vibrant dish featuring a balance of sweet, salty, and spicy notes, perfect for an easy yet impressive weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
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 Garnish
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated; green used 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 (e.g., Wel-Pac chow mein stir fry noodles)
Seasoning
- Black pepper for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: Combine peanut butter, soy sauce, warm water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, chili garlic sauce, and grated garlic in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
- Cook Beef: Heat avocado oil in a large pan over high heat. Add ground beef and let it cook undisturbed for several minutes to develop browned spots, then break it apart into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Caramelize Beef: Sprinkle cornstarch over the beef and stir fry for 15-30 seconds. Add grated garlic and teriyaki sauce, cooking for about a minute until the mixture starts to caramelize and smell fragrant. Remove the beef from the pan, keep warm by covering or placing in a 350°F oven.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same pan, sauté the white parts of the green onions along with your chosen stir-fry veggies, adding more oil if necessary, until veggies are just tender.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles according to package instructions (around 3 minutes), then rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Toss Together: Add the cooked noodles and most of the prepared peanut sauce to the sautéed vegetables in the skillet. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes to combine and warm through.
- Finish and Serve: Plate the noodles and veggie mixture, top with a scoop of the caramelized beef. Garnish with the remaining green parts of the green onion and a generous sprinkle of black pepper. Drizzle additional peanut sauce over the top if desired and serve immediately while hot and silky.
Notes
- You can customize the stir-fry veggies based on what’s in season or your preference; red bell peppers, spinach, and basil add great flavor.
- Using avocado oil helps achieve a high-heat sear for caramelizing the beef without burning.
- Rinsing noodles after boiling is essential to prevent them from sticking together.
- Adjust the sugar and chili garlic sauce in the peanut sauce to your preferred level of sweetness and spice.
- Keeping the beef warm in a low oven ensures it stays tender and hot when served.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
