Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry is a quick and easy meal you can make anytime. Thin slices of beef cook fast with fresh veggies and ramen noodles in a tasty homemade teriyaki sauce. It’s perfect for busy days when you want something simple but full of flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
This recipe wins over busy cooks because it’s fast, flavorful, and filling. The teriyaki sauce is sweet, tangy, and a little spicy, giving the beef and vegetables a bold taste that’s irresistible. The thinly sliced steak cooks quickly, staying tender and juicy, while the crunchy veggies add color and nutrition.
Ramen noodles soak up the sauce perfectly, making each bite satisfying and well-rounded. You get a balance of protein, carbs, and veggies in one dish, so it’s a complete meal. And with the option to add sesame seeds on top, you can give it a nice finish with a touch of nuttiness and a pop of texture.
If you want a recipe that’s simple to prepare but impressive on the plate, this Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry is your answer.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
Here’s everything you’ll gather before you start cooking. The ingredients are easy to find at most grocery stores, and you can customize the veggies to suit your taste.
- 1 pound flank or skirt steak, thinly sliced (look for stir fry labeled steak or very thin slices)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- ½ pound snow peas
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 packages ramen noodles, boiled until tender and drained (discard seasoning packets)
- White or black sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
For the teriyaki sauce:
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
To thicken the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 4 tablespoons cold water
These ingredients combine to create a dish bursting with umami, a touch of sweetness, and just enough heat.
How to Make Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
Making this dish is straightforward and perfect for cooks at any level. Follow these steps to get the best results:
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set this mixture aside so the flavors can meld.
- Make the cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, stir corn starch into cold water until completely dissolved. This will help thicken your sauce later.
- Cook the beef: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thin strips of beef and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the beef browned but still tender.
- Add vegetables: Toss in the snow peas and broccoli florets. Continue to sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables become tender but still crisp.
- Add the sauce: Pour in the teriyaki sauce mixture. Increase the heat to bring it to a gentle boil.
- Thicken the sauce: Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and veggies nicely.
- Combine noodles and green onions: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cooked ramen noodles and chopped green onions, mixing everything evenly so the noodles absorb the sauce.
- Serve and garnish: If you like, sprinkle white or black sesame seeds on top for a bit of extra flavor and texture. Serve hot right from the skillet.
This method ensures that every element in your stir fry is cooked perfectly — tender beef, crisp vegetables, and noodles soaked with sauce.
How to Serve Your Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
You can serve this dish straight from the pan for a casual, no-fuss meal. It pairs well with simple sides like steamed rice or extra fresh greens if you want to add more veggies. For a complete family dinner, consider adding a side of sliced cucumbers or a light salad to balance the savory richness of the stir fry.
If you want to dress it up for guests, serve the stir fry in individual bowls topped with sesame seeds and a few extra chopped green onions for color. A side of pickled vegetables or kimchi can add an exciting contrast in flavor and texture.
Leftovers reheat well in a skillet or microwave, making this recipe great for lunch the next day.
Expert Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
- Choose the right cut of beef: Flank or skirt steak works best because they are lean and thinly sliced, cooking quickly and staying tender. If you can find steak labeled for stir fry, that’s even better.
- Slice beef thinly against the grain: This technique helps ensure the meat stays tender and easy to chew.
- Don’t overcook the vegetables: Keep stir frying the snow peas and broccoli just until crisp-tender. Overcooked veggies lose their vibrant color and crunch.
- Make the sauce ahead: Whisk the teriyaki sauce ingredients in advance to save time when cooking. It also helps the flavors blend better.
- Cornstarch slurry is key: Adding the cornstarch mixture slowly while stirring thickens the sauce without lumps, giving it a glossy, perfect finish.
- Customize your veggies: Feel free to swap snow peas and broccoli for bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms based on what you have.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger: Fresh ingredients give a brighter and more complex flavor compared to powders.
- Toast your sesame seeds: If using, lightly toast them in a dry pan for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
These tips will elevate your stir fry and make the cooking process smooth.
How to Store Your Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
If you have leftovers or want to prepare in advance, storing this dish properly is simple.
- Refrigerate: Place cooled stir fry in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The noodles may absorb more sauce over time, so add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen the texture.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the stir fry in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat gently: Use a skillet over medium heat to warm leftovers, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short bursts to avoid drying out the beef.
Keeping it fresh and tasty is easy with these storage tips.
Variations to Make This Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry Your Own
This recipe is highly adaptable, so you can tailor it to your preferences or what’s on hand.
- Switch up the protein: Try chicken, shrimp, or tofu instead of beef for a different flavor and texture.
- Experiment with noodles: Swap ramen noodles for rice noodles, soba, or even cooked rice if you prefer a different base.
- Add more veggies: Bell peppers, shredded carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn all work well and add more color and nutrition.
- Make it spicy: Increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a drizzle of chili sauce for an extra kick.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce: To reduce saltiness and make it healthier, low-sodium soy sauce is a great option.
- Sweeten it naturally: Instead of sugar, try honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar for a more natural sweetness.
- Add fresh herbs: Garnish with chopped cilantro or basil for fresh herbal notes.
Feel free to experiment and find the version you enjoy the most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
What cut of beef is best for stir fry?
Flank steak or skirt steak is ideal because they are lean, tender, and cook quickly. Look for thinly sliced beef labeled for stir fry to save prep time.
Can I use other noodles besides ramen?
Absolutely! Rice noodles, soba, or even cooked jasmine rice can replace ramen noodles depending on your preference.
How can I make the teriyaki sauce less sweet?
Reduce the sugar amount or substitute with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. You can also add more soy sauce or vinegar for balance.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and check that your ramen noodles are gluten-free or swap them for rice noodles.
Can I prepare this stir fry ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and chop veggies in advance. Cook everything just before serving for the best taste and texture.
Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank or skirt steak thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 pound snow peas
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 green onions chopped
- 2 packages ramen noodles boiled until tender and drained (discard seasoning packets)
- White or black sesame seeds optional, for garnish
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 4 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes to prepare the teriyaki sauce.
- In a small bowl, stir corn starch into cold water until completely dissolved to make a cornstarch slurry.
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thin strips of beef and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until browned.
- Add snow peas and broccoli florets, continuing to sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Pour in the teriyaki sauce mixture and bring to a gentle boil.
- Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and veggies.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the cooked ramen noodles and chopped green onions, mixing everything evenly.
- Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.
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