Description
Quick and Flavorful Beef Black Pepper Udon recipe. Tender beef, chewy udon, and a punchy sauce. My easy weeknight dinner secret!
Ingredients
- Main Components:
- Beef Sirloin or Flank Steak (1 lb), thinly sliced
- Udon Noodles (2 packs, fresh or frozen)
- Bell Pepper (1, any color, sliced)
- Onion (1/2, sliced)
- Sauce Essentials:
- Soy Sauce (3 tbsp)
- Oyster Sauce (2 tbsp)
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper (1-2 tbsp)
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced)
- Ginger (1 inch, grated)
- Cornstarch (1 tbsp)
- Water or Beef Broth (1/4 cup)
- Cooking Fat:
- Vegetable Oil (2 tbsp)
- Finishing Touches (Optional):
- Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Chopped Green Onions
- Chili Oil
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: First things first, get everything ready! Slice your beef against the grain into thin strips – this is key for tenderness, believe me. Mince your garlic, grate your ginger, and slice those bell peppers and onions. For the sauce, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, black pepper (use a generous hand here!), cornstarch, and water or broth in a small bowl. This is where I always forget to put the cornstarch in, making for a runny sauce later, oops! Get those udon noodles ready according to package directions, usually a quick boil or microwave.
- Sear the Beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. When it’s shimmering, add half of your beef in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, hon, or the beef will steam instead of sear! Let it cook for about 1-2 minutes per side until beautifully browned. This quick sear locks in the juices. Remove the beef and set aside. Repeat with the remaining beef, adding a bit more oil if needed. Honestly, this step makes the whole kitchen smell amazing, like a fancy takeout place!
- Stir-Fry Aromatics and Veggies: Add the remaining oil to your hot pan. Toss in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant – oh, that smell! It’s pure magic. Then, add your sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften but still have a nice bite. We’re not looking for mushy veggies here! I sometimes get distracted and let them go too long, but a little char is okay, adds character.
- Combine and Sauce: Return the seared beef to the pan with the vegetables. Give it a good toss to combine. Now, pour in your prepared black pepper sauce mixture. Stir constantly as it comes to a simmer. You’ll see it start to thicken almost immediately, becoming glossy and clinging to the beef and veggies. This is the moment the Quick and Flavorful Beef Black Pepper Udon truly comes alive!
- Add the Udon: Finally, add your cooked udon noodles to the pan. Use tongs to gently toss everything together, ensuring the noodles are fully coated in that glorious, peppery sauce. This might take a minute or two of careful mixing. Sometimes I get a little messy here, with udon flying everywhere, but it’s all part of the fun, right? Make sure every strand is glistening with flavor.
- Serve It Up: Once everything is well combined and heated through, your Quick and Flavorful Beef Black Pepper Udon is ready! Transfer it to serving bowls immediately. You can garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or some chopped green onions if you like, but it’s absolutely fantastic as is. The beef should be tender, the udon perfectly chewy, and the sauce a beautiful balance of savory and peppery. Enjoy that first bite; it’s so satisfying!