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Sticky Beef and Peanut Noodles

A twist on a viral recipe: caramelized ground beef meets creamy peanut noodles for a quick, kid-friendly weeknight dinner that's pure comfort.

Peanut noodles with ground beef on top.

HOLY COW.

I stumbled upon a video a while ago and it's been stuck in my mind ever since (Chef Anna Frazer created that masterpiece)!

I tried it and adored it—but my kids aren't big fans of tahini, and I rarely have it stocked. So I've been riffing on the same idea, making it simpler, using pantry staples, and tailoring it to my family's tastes.

And wow, we're obsessed.

No joke, this might be the best ground beef I've ever cooked. It turns caramelized, sticky, and I've caught myself eating it straight from the bowl. The beef gets tossed with cornstarch for extra crisp, then you add teriyaki sauce and freshly grated garlic. The moment that garlic hits the hot pan… incredible. The aroma is unreal!

This might sound odd, but I've brought leftovers home a few times and reheated them in the OVEN?! The beef caramelizes even more, the noodle edges get slightly crispy, and it's absolutely delicious.

My whole family asks for seconds.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Step-by-Step: Making This Beef and Peanut Noodle Dish

1

Sear the Beef.

Brown it well (let it sit undisturbed for a deeper color), then sprinkle cornstarch for a quick coating!

2

Add Sauce and Garlic to the Beef.

The sauce clings to every crispy nook and cranny, turning caramelized, sticky, and absolutely divine.

3

Sauté the Veggies!

Cook them until tender and vibrant.

4

Combine Noodles and Sauce.

Everything goes in together! A quick toss is all it needs.

5

Top the Noodles with Beef.

OH YES. The perfect blend of textures!

Want more of my favorite easy dinners? 🙂 Check out the full list here!

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Caramelized Beef and Peanut Noodles

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5 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

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Description

Caramelized ground beef piled over creamy peanut noodles and sautéed veggies—the ultimate weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

Units USM

Caramelized Beef:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (I used Bachan’s)
  • 1 clove garlic, grated

Creamy 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

Noodles:

  • 5 green onions, thinly sliced (green saved for garnish)
  • 2–3 cups sliced stir-fry veggies (I like red bell pepper, spinach, and basil leaves)
  • 6-ounce package stir-fry egg noodles (I use the Wel-Pac chow mein stir fry noodles)
  • Black pepper for serving

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Instructions

  1. Peanut Sauce: Blend the sauce until smooth and creamy.
  2. Cook Beef: Heat avocado oil in a pan over high heat; add ground beef and leave undisturbed for several minutes to get some browned spots. Break apart with a wooden spoon into small pieces.
  3. Caramelize the Beef: Add the cornstarch and quickly stir fry for 15-30 seconds. Then add garlic and teriyaki for a minute or so; it will sizzle and start to caramelize, plus it’ll smell amazing. Remove from pan, set aside and cover or place in a 350 degree oven to keep it warm.
  4. Sauté Veggies: In the same pan, sauté the white parts of the green onions and the veggies (adding more oil as needed).
  5. Cook Noodles: Boil noodles for 3 minutes or according to package directions; rinse with cold water to prevent stickiness.
  6. Toss Together: Add cooked noodles and most of the peanut sauce to the veggies in the skillet; toss to combine for 1-2 minutes (you’ll want to serve immediately while it’s still hot and silky).
  7. Finish: Plate noodles; add a scoop of beef on top. Garnish with green onions and lots of black pepper, and drizzle with remaining peanut sauce if you want!
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Keywords: peanut noodles, ground beef recipe, easy dinner recipe, ground beef noodles

More Delightfully Slurpable Noodle Bowls

Spicy Short Rib Noodle Soup

Shortcut Sesame Noodles

Saucy Gochujang Noodles

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