20 Minute Korean Beef Sesame Noodles Recipe
This quick and flavorful 20 Minute Korean Beef Sesame Noodles recipe combines tender seared flank steak with a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, stir-fried vegetables, and chewy brown rice noodles. Infused with garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil, this dish delivers an authentic Korean-inspired meal perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Stir Fry
- 8 ounces brown rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 3 cups mixed stir fry vegetables
- 3 shallots, sliced
- 1 pound flank steak or chicken breast, sliced thin
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients (garlic, ginger, tamari or soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, gochujang, and toasted sesame oil) in a glass jar. Shake or whisk until fully blended to create a spicy-sweet Korean chili sauce.
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the brown rice noodles according to the package directions until tender. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
- Stir-fry vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the mixed stir fry vegetables and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and cook for an additional minute until the veggies are fully coated. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- Sear shallots and meat: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Add the sliced shallots and cook for 2 minutes until deeply softened and fragrant. Add the thinly sliced flank steak in a single layer and sear without stirring for 2 minutes to develop a good crust. Toss the meat, then pour in the remaining sauce and simmer for 1 minute to infuse flavor.
- Combine noodles, veggies, and meat: Add the cooked noodles and the previously stir-fried vegetables to the skillet. Cook everything together for 2-3 minutes, tossing to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in fresh basil leaves and toasted sesame seeds to add aroma and texture. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast for flank steak if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of gochujang to control the spice level.
- Brown rice noodles can be replaced with any noodle of your choice such as soba or udon.
- For more vegetables, feel free to add bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots.
- Use low-sodium tamari or soy sauce to reduce sodium content if needed.
