Beef Noodle Stir Fry
Looking for a fun way to use ramen packets? Grab some veggies and whip up a batch of this tasty Beef Noodle Stir Fry!
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Every family has their routines. There are chores to be done, and the work must get divvied up. Robbie and I do the family’s grocery shopping each weekend. Laura stays back and uses that time to vacuum and start laundry. (Robbie likes to help fold the laundry. We learned that lesson the hard way one time when Laura was super-productive and got the laundry folded while we were gone. Whoops.)
For grocery shopping, we have a notepad that we keep mounted on the cabinet near the garage door. We add to that list throughout the week, and then I pull the page off as I head out the door with Robbie in tow. (And if we’re going to the “meat store,” then Robbie makes sure to bring his stress steer, too.)
Every so often, Laura will write “ramen” on the shopping list. But here’s the thing. Laura doesn’t eat ramen. At least not the ramen packets that I buy at the store. Nope, she just wants the seasoning packet. The noodles themselves get trashed. It’s the seasoning packet that’s valuable there! (On a side note, I’ve looked numerous times at the store for jars of ramen seasoning. It doesn’t exist.) In case you’re wondering, Laura prefers to use those seasoning packets with soba noodles instead of the ramen noodles.
Beef Noodle Stir Fry
Beef Noodle Stir FryI was wandering around the Certified Angus Beef ® brand website the other day, and I stumbled across an easy stir fry idea. It uses ramen noodles as the base for the stir fry. Genius! Now I have a way to use those extra ramen noodles. Typically we use sliced chicken or steak in our stir fry dishes, but this recipe called for ground beef. Ground beef…in stir fry? At first, I was a little suspicious just because it was so different than what we were used to. But I’m always on the lookout to find ways to use ground beef other than hamburgers, so I decided to try it out. (Don’t get me wrong. A good hamburger is all my all-time favorite meal. I just like finding different ways to use ground beef…you know, to mix things up.)
This Beef Noodle Stir Fry is delicious! And easy. Talk about a win-win in the dinner department right there! I whipped up an easy homemade stir fry sauce for this one. We enjoyed this so much that we actually made it again the next night using a leftover bag of frozen stir fry veggies…and a double batch of the sauce! The beautiful thing about stir fry meals is that you can adapt them to your tastes (or what’s in your freezer) with very little effort. Fresh veggies are nice in this Beef Noodle Stir Fry, but they totally aren’t required. A frozen bag of veggies would work just fine. I personally love (!) snap peas in my stir fry, so I would opt for extra snap peas next time. What about you?
I hope you enjoy this Beef Noodle Stir Fry as much as we do! Did you make it at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). Cheers!
Looking for more tasty ground beef recipes? Check out a few of these other favorites, too:
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
Taco Casserole
Southern Meatloaf Sandwiches
Shepherd’s Pie Mashed Potatoes
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Beef Noodle Stir Fry
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger
- 1½ tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
For the Stir Fry
- 16 oz. lean 90% ground beef
- 2 3-oz. packages ramen noodles crumbled
- 2½ cups water
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped
- 1 cup sugar snap peas
- 2 medium carrots diced
- 1 can baby corn drained
- 2 Tbsp sliced green onions
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds lightly toasted
Instructions
- Using a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients for sauce; set bowl aside.
- Using a large skillet or wok, cook beef over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink.
- Drain any excess grease from pan. Remove beef from pan and set aside.
- Using same skillet, add ramen noodles, water, broccoli, snap peas, carrots and mini corn; stir and bring to a boil. (Note: Discard flavoring packets from ramen noodles.)
- Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until noodles and vegetables are tender. Drain any excess water from skillet.
- Return beef to skillet; add sauce and stir until well combined. Continue cooking over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, or until beef is hot.
- Before serving, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
I’m always looking for more hamburger recipes. This stir fry looks like just the ticket. I love that it’s fast and easy and you can get dinner on the table lickety-split. That sauce looks super delicious! I’m all about extra peas too – they add such crunch and flavor.
Same here, Kathy! We always keep ground beef in the freezer, and while I go love a good hamburger, it’s nice to mix it up. The ramen packs as the base for this recipe are super convenient, too! Thanks so much, my friend!
Oooh, this seems like a perfect weeknight dinner! I think you should change the note in #4 to “Reserve flavoring packets for Laura.” 😂
Hah! I definitely should change the note to say “reserve seasoning packets for Laura.” She was quite happy that I didn’t trash those packets when making this recipe! 🙂 Thanks, Kim!
Enjoy being able to go grocery shopping with the little man. I have now given up trying to do this with my oldest, as I end up with five things I didn’t want and missing another five I did! Now, what a way to make packaged ramen fun! This stir fry looks delicious!
Oh no! So far the little guy is good about not pulling things off of shelves. Of course, I do keep him occupied with a snack and juice while he rides in the cart. And sometimes that means I have to get really creative to get everything in the cart as he’s getting bigger. Either way, this is a really tasty recipe…and it comes together so quickly, too. Perfect for those nights when you’re chasing kids around the house. Hah! Thanks, Matt!
Well this is a great idea, using ground beef. I’ve never thought of it. I usually spend so long browning all of the slices first that a simple stir fry turns into something pretty time consuming, although they are easy. Great, thanks!
Stir fry recipes are one of our favorites around here, Mimi. I hear ya about browning the slices, though! This recipe is a good one since we always keep ground beef in the freezer. (And Laura almost always keeps packs of ramen noodles in the pantry.) Thanks so much, my friend!
That’s hilarious that Laura likes the seasoning packet in ramen! I’m the opposite – I go for the noodles and toss the packet, lol. I guess we’d make quite the duo! Anywho, you can’t beat stir fry…it’s something hubby and I enjoy on the regular and this one looks DELISH! Have to give this one a go one day for dinner! I love mine with a little drizzle of sriracha on top 🙂 Happy Monday, my friend!
Hah…I think you and Laura would be the best of friends. She can use the seasoning packet. You can use the ramen. 🙂 Speaking of ramen, this recipe has quickly become a favorite here. It’s so darned delicious! And excellent call on the dash of sriracha on top. I’ll add that next time we make this recipe!
I LOVE a good stir fry! They’re one of my go-to dinners when I have veggies in the fridge to use up. I never would’ve thought to use ramen noodles in them–such a great idea!
Ramen noodles make for a surprisingly good (and easy) base for stir fry. I prefer to ditch the seasoning packet and add my own seasonings, though. Either way, this is a good one for a quick weeknight meal. Thanks, Kelsie!
I love this easy recipe, David! And, good use of the extra ramen noodles. I do need to mention, though, I totally agree with Laura – soba noodles are the best. What a great idea to use the ramen seasoning with them. But this meal looks perfect for busy weeknights!
I know those packets of ramen noodles are cheap, but I always hated throwing away the noodles when Laura would ‘steal’ the seasoning packet. Now I can just the noodles for this stir fry instead! (To be fair, soba noodles would be a delicious addition to this recipe, too.) Thanks so much, Laura!
Such a coincidence – my Mum and I were just talking about using ramen packets hehe! 🙂
Great minds 😉
This looks like such a great bowl of comfort food – my favourite kind of food.
Delicious!
No way! What a small world. 🙂 This really is an easy recipe as we always keep ground beef in the freezer, and there’s usually some ramen packs hanging out in the pantry somewhere. Thanks so much, Alexandra!
I got a chuckle reading about Laura and her ramen noodle shenanigans – sometimes I use the noodles only and discard the packet – now I know to save them and drone them up to y’all! By the way, have you tried Asian stores? Some have a “soup base” thats supposedly the same thing – though am not sure – also – these > https://www.amazon.com/Ramen-Inspired-Seasoning-Packets-Everything/dp/B0787HGZX2 any good?I had to look as my curiosity got the better of me. BTW – I’m loving the flavors in this beef noodle stir fry – so scrumptious!
Haha! Laura would be quite pleased with those seasoning packets, Shashi. 🙂 You know, I’m not sure if we’ve ever hunted for those seasoning packets in an Asian grocery store. We’ll have to look next time we’re down in that part of town! Also, that Amazon link sounds promising, too. Of course, now that I have a way to use the noodles themselves, I’m cool with the regular ramen packs from the store! 🙂 Thanks so much, my friend!
I do love all the pasta and noodles! However, due to very hot temperatures, I haven’t had any pasta for over a month (Pasta salads don’t count). It’s getting better nowadays, so I can consider pasta recipes again. These stir fry noodles look and sound fantastic; comfort yet fresh because of the veggies. I wouldn’t mind having some right now…but with buckwheat noodles, too 🙂
I hear ya about the weather, Ben. However, it’s starting to get chilly in the mornings here, and that means Autumn is coming! (I’m not quite ready to give up on summer yet, though.) This recipe is great as it comes together really fast. I’m ok with the buckwheat noodles substitution…those things are delicious! 🙂
Cracking up that Laura is all about the flavor packets… 😉 This beef noodle stir fry looks perfect for these hot summer days – quick, delicious, and hearty!
You and me both, Marissa! I always think it’s so funny when Laura “stocks up” on those seasoning packets for her soup. “Stocks up” means opening all the ramen packets, pulling out the seasoning and then ditching the actual noodles. This stir fry is a tasty one, and perfect for busy weeknights as it comes together really quickly. Thanks so much, my friend!
OMG I can so relate to that. I know a friend who does exactly that because she loves the seasoning. She did mention to me long back that she got the seasoning in a bottle probably called something else. Check in Asian stores or ask the store guys.
That’s a good point about checking Asian stores, Kankana! Our Asian grocery store is a bit of a drive, but I’ll have to stop by next time we’re in the area. Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Hi David,
I love your blog and have enjoyed many of the recipes! I made this for dinner last night and what a hit with everyone! My kind of recipe healthy, quick and easy.
You were my daughter’s Latin teacher at Holy Names a few years back. Now Kathryn is in medical school.
All the best to you and your lovely family!
Hey Colleen! I’m so glad you stopped by and left a comment here. I absolutely remember chatting with you one evening at Holy Names. If I recall, it was at the production of Cats there on campus. Either way, I often wonder how some of my former students are doing. I’m so happy to hear that Kathryn is in med school…that’s awesome! (And maybe that first year Latin is helping out ever so slightly with the medical terms. Haha!)
I truly appreciate your support here of my blog, and I’m so happy that everyone loved this recipe! I miss my days teaching, but the demand for Latin teachers just isn’t that high…imagine that. 🙂 Tell Kathryn I said hello!
Love that Laura discards the ramen and saves the seasoning. I do the opposite! And great idea to have jarMy mom used to make a Chinese chicken salad with the ramen. Good stuff! This is a great use of them in this recipe. 🙂 ~Valentina
So clearly you and Laura need to be best friends since it would help maximize the use of those ramen packets. 🙂 I loved adding them to this stir fry since (1) we had them around and (2) it makes for a nice and easy weeknight meal. So quick and easy! Thanks, Valentina!
i remember when we were kids, all the mums started making ‘chow mein’ – which was beef mince with lots of cabbage and rice. i think they felt they were being very international and debonair. how times change:) cheers sherry
Hah! You make an excellent point, Sherry. Times change and new recipes come and go…but many of them are simply riffs on other common recipes. This stir fry is a good one, and it’s ready in a pinch…so that alone makes it popular here in our house! Thanks so much, my friend!
Great idea for a stir-fry David! Using ground beef too? I’ve never tried that in a stir-fry, but will. And this is my sort of stir fry all done in 30 minutes and I can see there’s not much washing up too. Thanks for sharing!
Yup! I know ground beef sounds like an odd addition to stir fry, but it totally worked. I was on a mission to find different ways to use ground beef, and this one is a winner for sure. So easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor! And, yes, the clean up is quite easy, too <-- always important! 🙂
David, this definitely is a win-win for me! I love ramen but my husband thinks the spice packs aren’t healthy so he throws them out when I’m not looking. So, I’ve found a kindred spirit in Laura with our love for the ramen spice packet. I’ll have to try it with soba noodles. (I’ll just have to get to the spice packets first!) And I now have a great recipe to use with all the packs of plain ramen! Your recipe looks so delicious with the steak and vegetables! Yum!
Haha! You and Laura really would be best friends. Who knows what’s in those spice packets! I think it’s hilarious that your husband raids the pantry and tosses them. This really is a tasty recipe, and it comes together really quickly, too. Perfect for these busy back-to-school nights! Thanks, Kelly!