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A bowl of Low-Carb Beef & Broccoli Noodles with tender beef strips, fresh broccoli, and saucy noodles topped with sesame seeds.
Maryam

Low-Carb Beef & Broccoli Noodles

Skip the takeout and make this better-than-delivery stir-fry with tender beef, crisp broccoli, and silky shirataki noodles in a glossy garlic-ginger sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-American, Chinese-Inspired
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

For the Beef & Marinade
  • 1 lb flank steak sliced thin against the grain
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for marinade
  • 0.25 tsp baking soda tenderizes the meat
For the Noodles
  • 14 oz shirataki noodles 2 packages, drained and rinsed well
For the Sauce
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce or coconut aminos for stricter low-carb
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 0.25 tsp xanthan gum or 1 tsp cornstarch if not strict low-carb
For the Stir-Fry
  • 4 cups broccoli florets about 1 medium head, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or vegetable oil divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat
For Serving
  • 2 scallions sliced thin on the bias
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Colander
  • Small Bowl (for sauce)

Method
 

Prep
  1. Toss sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp soy sauce and baking soda. Let sit at room temperature while you prep everything else. The baking soda is the secret to that velvety Chinese-restaurant texture.
  2. Drain shirataki noodles and rinse thoroughly under cold water for 30 seconds. Boil for 2 minutes, then drain again. Dry roast in a hot dry skillet for 3-4 minutes until squeaky and most moisture evaporates. Set aside.
  3. Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and xanthan gum in a small bowl. The xanthan gum will look clumpy at first - keep stirring until smooth.
Cook
  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until smoking. Add beef in a single layer and let sear undisturbed for 1 minute. Stir-fry 1-2 minutes more until just browned with some pink remaining. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to the pan. Add broccoli and 2 tbsp water. Cover and steam 2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Uncover and let any remaining water evaporate.
  3. Push broccoli to the sides. Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the center. Stir-fry 30 seconds until fragrant. Add noodles and sauce, tossing constantly for 1 minute until everything is coated and glossy.
  4. Return beef and any accumulated juices to the pan. Toss 30 seconds just to reheat. The sauce should cling rather than pool. Serve immediately topped with scallions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Don't skip the baking soda on the beef - it's what gives that signature tender bite without a long marinade. If shirataki smells funky when you open the package, that's normal; the boiling and dry-roasting steps eliminate it completely. For meal prep, cook the components separately and combine when reheating to keep the broccoli crisp.