This easy beef yaki udon stir-fry is made with tender beef sirloin, thick and chewy udon noodles, crisp vegetables, and a savory homemade sauce. It is a quick, family-friendly meal that comes together easily and is perfect for busy weeknights!
This easy beef yaki udon stir-fry is made with tender beef sirloin, thick and chewy udon noodles, crisp vegetables, and a savory homemade sauce. It is a quick, family-friendly meal that comes together easily and is perfect for busy weeknights.
Udon is hands down one of my favorite noodles because of its thick, chewy texture and its ability to soak up sauces perfectly. Unlike thinner noodles, udon feels hearty and satisfying, making it a great base for an easy dinner.
My toddlers always devour udon whenever I serve it, so it has become a staple meal that our whole family loves. I also almost always keep udon noodles in the freezer because they cook in about one minute and can easily be paired with protein, vegetables, and sauce for a delicious but effortless meal.
This recipe is also easy to customize. You can swap the beef sirloin for a different protein, use whatever vegetables you already have, and still end up with a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Yaki Udon
This beef yaki udon stir-fry is quick, flavorful, and easy to prepare.
The beef sirloin adds a tender and hearty bite, while the bok choy, red bell pepper, and onion add freshness, color, and texture.
Everything is tossed in a savory sauce made with dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, and fresh garlic. The thick udon noodles soak up the sauce beautifully, giving every bite plenty of flavor.
This recipe is also:
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Easy to customize
- Family-friendly
- Great for using leftover vegetables
- Delicious reheated the next day
What Is Yaki Udon?
Yaki udon is a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish made with thick udon noodles, vegetables, protein, and a savory sauce.
The word “yaki” refers to food that is grilled, fried, or cooked over direct heat. In this recipe, the noodles are stir-fried in a large skillet or wok with beef, vegetables, and sauce until everything is hot and evenly coated.
Yaki udon is especially convenient because the noodles cook quickly and work well with many different vegetables and proteins.
Easy Beef Yaki Udon Stir-Fry
Ingredients
For the Beef Yaki Udon
- 3 packets udon noodles
- ¾ pound beef sirloin thinly sliced
- 2 cups chopped bok choy
- 1 whole red bell pepper thinly sliced
- ½ onion thinly sliced
- 2 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
For the Yaki Udon Sauce
- 2½ tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, and minced garlic. Set aside.
- Prepare the udon noodles according to the package instructions. Drain well and gently separate the noodles.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the thinly sliced beef sirloin and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, or until browned and mostly cooked through. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
- Add the onion and red bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the bok choy and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened but still crisp.
- Add the udon noodles and prepared sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated.
- Return the beef to the skillet and add the scallions.
- Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, tossing frequently, until the beef is fully cooked and everything is heated through.
- Serve immediately.
