This Beef Noodle Stir Fry recipe is a combination of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more. Juicy slices of steak, perfectly cooked spaghettini, and a mouth-watering soy sauce mix come together to create a dish that’s as delicious as it is impressive. This recipe elevates the classic Beef Stir Noodle Fry to new heights, making it a must-try for anyone that loves stir fries!

Table of Contents
- What is a Beef Stir Fry?
- Why You’ll Love This Beef Stir Fry Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Beef Noodle Stir Fry At Home
- How to Make Beef Stir Fry With Noodles (Step by Step)
- Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Beef Stir Fry Every Single Time
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Beef Stir Fry
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Beef Stir Fry
- More Easy Stir Fry Recipes You May Like
- Did You Make This Beef Noodle Stir Fry?
- Recipe Card
There’s something truly special about making beef stir fry at home. It’s the perfect dish to whip up when you’re in the mood for something savory, hearty, and satisfying. With its combination of high-quality ingredients and simple cooking techniques, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
The real magic of this beef stir fry recipe lies in its simple preparation. The thinly sliced steak is marinated with a special soy sauce mixture, while the spaghettini is cooked to al dente perfection. The end result is a dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture. Give it a try, and you’ll understand why this recipe is truly special.
My recipe for beef stir fry is one of the best ones you’ll ever try. This is a childhood meal I used to beg my dad to make me all the time - partially because this was one of the meals that I was allowed to eat in front of the TV, but mainly because it tastes fantastic.
Now that I'm somewhat grown up, I appreciate the simplicity of this recipe. I love how quick it is to put together (you can literally put this together in 15 minutes).
This recipe works best with spaghettini. There's something about the texture of the spaghettini that gives this dish a wonderful texture, and it also absorbs the sweet soy sauce beautifully. I’m sure you’re going to love it!
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious beef stir fry recipe today!
What is a Beef Stir Fry?
Beef Stir Fry is a versatile, flavorful dish that typically consists of tender slices of beef seared at high heat and combined with a medley of crisp vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, red bell pepper, and green onions. This dish is often accompanied by a grain, such as rice or noodles.
This stir fry dish is popular for its incredible adaptability and simplicity. It’s not only a great way to use up leftover vegetables in your fridge but also an excellent method to infuse a healthy meal with delicious flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Easy to make: With instructions as clear and straightforward as these, creating this beef stir fry recipe is a breeze. From making the soy sauce mixture to marinating the beef and frying it up, each step is designed to be easy and quick, making this dish perfect for those busy weeknights.
Versatile: This recipe allows for a versatile range of ingredients. Whether you prefer using flank steaks or a sirloin steak, or perhaps wish to add more veggies like broccoli, carrots, or red bell pepper, this dish can be easily tailored to your taste preferences.
Delicious: The blend of soy sauce, cornstarch, and beef marinated to tender perfection gives this dish an incredible flavor that will leave you craving more. The addition of the sweet soy sauce to the noodles, onions, and beef creates a delightful taste that is both savory and sweet.
Crowd Pleaser: This beef stir fry recipe is sure to please a crowd. Whether it’s a family dinner or a get-together with friends, this dish, with its delicious flavor and appealing presentation, is a guaranteed hit. The best part? You can save the leftovers in airtight containers to enjoy later.
Kid-friendly: This recipe holds a special place as a cherished childhood meal. The simplicity, the quick preparation time, and the amazing flavor of the sweet soy sauce make this a dish that will be loved by both adults and kids alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Beef Noodle Stir Fry At Home
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious beef stir fry recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
For the Beef Stir Fry:
- Beef Steak: Any cut of steak will work since we’ll be slicing it thinly, making even tougher cuts of meat tender and flavorful. My personal favorites are flank steak, sirloin steak and rib-eye steak.
- Spaghettini: I like to use spaghettini for this because it's simple and easy to find and it's the perfect thickness of noodle. Spaghetti will turn out too thick, angel hair is too thin. Alternatively, you can also use udon.
- Onion: The onion will add a delicious sweet onion flavor to the stir fry.
- Cornstarch: I use cornstarch in the beef marinade, to help seal in the juices through the velveting technique I use for all my beef stir fries. It keeps the beef tender and moist.
For the Soy Sauce Mix:
- Soy Sauce: The soy sauce will serve as the base for our stir-fry sauce, adding a savory and umami flavor to the dish.
- Dark Soy Sauce: We’ll also need some dark soy sauce. The dark soy sauce will deepen the color of our stir-fry sauce, giving our dish a dark golden color. If you can't find dark soy sauce, you can use regular soy sauce instead, you'll only be missing the color.
- Sugar: The sugar will balance the saltiness of the soy sauces, adding a hint of sweetness that brings out the other flavors in the dish.
How to Make Beef Stir Fry With Noodles (Step by Step)
Creating a delicious beef stir-fry doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through every step of the way.
Step 1: Preparing the Noodles
Follow the instructions on the package for cooking al dente spaghettini noodles, but subtract 1-2 minutes from the suggested cooking time. We want them slightly underdone because we’ll be stir-frying the noodles later, and we don’t want them overcooked.
Unlike in many other recipes, you should not add salt to the water when cooking the pasta for this dish. Once the noodles are done, drain them using a strainer. To remove extra starch, give them a light rinse under cold water. Set the noodles aside as we move on to the next step.
Step 2: Making the Soy Sauce Mixture
Mix dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Set this soy sauce mixture aside, you will need a few teaspoons of it for the beef marinade.
Step 3: Preparing and Marinating the Beef
Slice your beef thinly against the grain. (I like to use flank steak, sirloin steak or rib eye steak.) This will make the beef tender and easier to eat. Place the beef slices in a bowl.
Next, add 2-3 teaspoons of the soy sauce mixture you prepared earlier, and a teaspoon of cornstarch to the beef.
The cornstarch will help keep the beef tender by sealing in the juice through the velveting process.
Let the beef marinate for 5-10 minutes. This allows the flavor to penetrate deeply into the beef. Set the marinated beef aside.
Step 4: Preparing the Onions
In addition to beef, a good stir-fry recipe incorporates a variety of vegetables for added texture and flavor. For this recipe, I kept it simple with just an onion.
I cut an onion in half and slice them into thin half-moon slices. Set aside for later.
Step 5: Stir-Fry Everything Together
Now comes the fun part: making the stir-fry.
Select a large skillet or wok and add 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Set your stove to high heat and wait for the oil to get hot. Stir-frying on high heat helps to sear the beef and veggies quickly, retaining their crunch and color.
Once the oil is hot, add in the onions. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until they are soft and golden. Next, add the marinated beef. Cook for 3-5 minutes, making sure all slices are evenly cooked.
Finally, add in the prepared noodles and the remaining soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles have absorbed all the sauce and everything is well mixed. The soy sauce mixture will give the stir-fry a beautiful brown color.
Now, your beef stir-fry is ready to be enjoyed! This dish is best served hot, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions. Enjoy your homemade, best beef stir-fry!
Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Beef Stir Fry Every Single Time
Choosing the Beef: For this beef stir fry recipe, you can opt for any cut of beef. It’s important to slice the beef thinly against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, which will ensure it stays tender during cooking. Flank steaks or sirloin steak are popular choices, but my favorite cut is rib eye.
Marinating the Beef: Enhance the flavor of your beef by marinating it in the soy sauce mixture and cornstarch. This not only imparts a delicious flavor to your beef, but the cornstarch also helps to with velveting the beef which gives it a fantastic texture. Allow it to marinate for at least 5-10 minutes before cooking.
Undercook the Noodles: When preparing the spaghettini, under-cook them slightly as they will continue to cook in the pan. This will ensure your noodles aren’t overcooked and mushy.
Frying on High Heat: Cooking on high heat is key in stir-fry recipes. This method sears the beef and vegetables, locking in flavors and creating a delightful char. Ensure your pan or wok is hot before adding the ingredients.
Balancing the Flavors: While the soy sauce mixture adds a robust flavor to the dish, remember not to add salt when boiling the pasta. The sauce will provide enough seasoning, and adding extra salt may result in an overly salty dish.
Serving Suggestions
This is a simple beef noodle stir-fry recipe which means it's versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some suggestions to consider when serving this dish:
- Pan Fried Brussel Sprouts - Glazed with honey and soy sauce, this will add a sweet and savory dimension to the meal. Their crisp exterior and tender interior offer a pleasing contrast to the beef stir fry.
- Chinese Stir-Fried Cabbage - This will add extra of veggies to your plate. The ginger soy flavor complements the beef stir-fry nicely, and the cabbage adds a delightful crunch.
- Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - This refreshing side dish that will provide a cool contrast to the warm, hearty beef stir fry. The crisp texture of the cucumbers also adds a nice crunch to your meal.
- I love to make Corn Egg Drop Soup with this because it's a comforting and silky soup that will pair well with the robust flavors of beef stir-fry. The subtle sweetness of the corn and the creaminess of the egg drop soup provides a soothing balance to the dish.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Beef Stir Fry
This delicious beef stir fry recipe is so flavorful and easy to make, you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
Vegetable Packed: For those who want to add more veggies to their diet, this variation is perfect. Stir in some chopped carrots, red bell pepper, and broccoli to your beef stir-fry for a colorful and nutritious twist. The added vegetables not only provide extra nutrients but also give the dish a pleasant crunch.
Garlic and Ginger Flavored: If you’re a fan of bold flavors, why not try adding minced garlic and grated ginger to your marinade? These two ingredients will infuse the beef with a robust, aromatic flavor that complements the soy sauce beautifully.
Rice: Looking for a way to make your stir-fry more filling? Try adding cooked rice to the pan inead of noodles during the last few minutes of stir-frying. The grain will soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying texture to your dish.
Spicy Kick: If you love spicy food, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or add a few squirts of sriracha chili sauce to your stir-fry. This will give your dish a fiery kick that spice lovers will appreciate.
Substitute the Protein: For a variation on this beef stir-fry recipe, try using sirloin steak or even chicken for a chicken stir-fry. This is a great way to use up any leftover meats you may have in your fridge.
Low Sodium: If you’re watching your sodium intake, try using low sodium soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce. This simple substitution will help reduce the overall sodium content of your dish without sacrificing flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any cut of beef can be used for this recipe as it will be sliced thinly. Traditionally, flank steak is a popular choice for stir-fry recipes. However, sirloin steak or rib eye steak can also be used for a tender and flavorful dish.
Yes, you can. This recipe uses spaghettini for its thinness which helps absorb the soy sauce mix better. However, if you prefer, you can use other types of noodles. Just remember, you may need to adjust the amount of soy sauce mix for thicker noodle like udon.
Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Be sure to allow the stir fry to cool before storing to prevent condensation which could make the dish soggy.
Absolutely! Leftovers can be reheated in a microwave-safe dish. Be sure to stir halfway through heating to ensure even reheating.
Yes, you can add any veggies you like. Broccoli, carrots, red bell pepper, and green onions are great additions to beef stir fry recipes.
Yes, you can use low sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your sodium intake. Just keep in mind that the flavor might be slightly different.
Yes, you can substitute beef with chicken to make a chicken stir fry. The cooking time may vary as chicken cooks faster than beef.
Of course! If you like your stir fry spicy, feel free to add some red pepper flakes or srircha chili sauce to the soy sauce mix.
Yes, a wok is actually the best pan for making stir-fries because of its high heat capacity. However, if you don’t have a wok, a skillet or a large frying pan works just fine
Definitely! Garnishing with sesame seeds or sliced green onions can add a nice touch to your dish, enhancing both its appearance and flavor.
Yes, marinating the beef for longer can make it more flavorful. However, since the beef slices are thin, they don’t require a long marinating time.
Adding salt to the water will make the dish overly salty because the sauce used to flavor the pasta when we stir fry it is already salty.
How to Store Leftover Beef Stir Fry
Place the cooled stir fry in airtight containers and store it in the fridge within two hours of cooking.
To reheat, simply remove the stir-fry from the fridge heat it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s hot all the way through. You can also use a microwave and heat it up 1 minute a time, stirring every 30 seconds.
I don’t recommend freezing this delicious stir fry dish since it’ll alter the texture of all the ingredients, especially the noodles. Since it takes only 15 minutes to make, I recommend making and serving it fresh!
More Easy Stir Fry Recipes You May Like
- Japchae (Stir-Fried Korean Glass Noodles)
- Singapore Noodles
- Stir Fry Chicken Teriyaki Noodles
- Maple Curry Yaki Udon
- Stir-Fried Kimchi Rice Cakes
- Pad Thai
Did You Make This Beef Noodle Stir Fry?
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Recipe Card
Beef Noodle Stir Fry
Joyce's Recipe Notes
- Do not add salt when boiling the pasta, we will be using a sauce to flavor the pasta when we stir fry it and adding salt to the water will make the dish overly salty.
- For the cut of beef, I would say you can use any cut of beef. It will be sliced thinly so you don’t need to worry too much if it’s a tougher cut of meat. My go-to is usually flank steak, sirloin steak, or rib-eye steak.
- Use spaghettini for this recipe for the best texture and flavor. Spaghetti is too thick, and angel hair pasta is too thin. Alternatively, you can also use udon.
Ingredients
- 400 g spaghettini
- 1 small onion (sliced, approx. 1 cup)
Soy Sauce Mix
- 5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon oil
Beef Marinade
- 500 g beef steak (any cut of steak, thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon corn starch (for beef marinade)
- 3 teaspoons premade 'Soy Sauce Mix' from above
Instructions
Making the Spaghettini
- Follow the directions of the pasta package for al dente pasta, but subtract 1-2 minutes from what they suggest. We will be cooking this again in a frying pan so we want to under-cook the pasta. (Do not add salt to the water when making the pasta)
- Once the noodles are done, pour in into a strainer and lightly rinse off the extra starch and set aside
Prepare the Soy Sauce Mixture
- Combine the dark soy, light soy and sugar into a bowl and set aside
Marinate the Beef
- Cut the meat thinly against the grain and put it into a bowl
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of the 'Soy Sauce Mixture' you just made, and 1 teaspoon of corn starch to the beef and marinate the beef with for 5-10 minutes. Set aside to marinate.
Prepare the Onions
- Cut the onion in half, then and slice them into thin half moon slices and set aside
Frying it Up!
- In a frying pan (preferably a non-stick), add 2-3 tablespoons of oil and set it to high heat and wait for it to get hot.
- Add in the onions and cook it for 3 minutes until soft and golden
- Add in the beef and cook for 3-5 minutes
- Add in the spaghettini and the rest of the 'Soy Sauce Mixture' and cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is nice and brown and evenly mixed or until the noodles have absorbed all the sauce
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is calculated using online tools and is an estimate*
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Peter john Tymofy says
i'll have to try this maybe more than once,
Anne888 says
We add a thinly sliced red bell pepper and use gluten free spagettI noodles. My kids love this!!!
Joyce Lee says
Hi Anne!
Yay!! So happy everyone loved this!! Especially the kids! 🥰