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A close-up of a steaming bowl of beef black pepper udon noodles, tender beef, and green vegetables, with black chopsticks.
Daniel

Zesty Black Pepper Beef Udon Stir-Fry

This quick and flavorful stir-fry features tender slices of beef coated in a bold black pepper sauce, tossed with chewy udon noodles and crisp vegetables. It's a satisfying weeknight meal with a kick!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Beef & Marinade
  • 1 lb flank steak or sirloin thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Black Pepper Sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce for color, optional
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 2-3 tsp freshly cracked black pepper adjust to taste, essential for flavor
  • 3 tbsp water or chicken broth
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
For the Stir-Fry
  • 18 oz udon noodles fresh or frozen, cooked according to package
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger grated or minced
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper cored and thinly sliced
  • 2 stalks green onions chopped, for garnish
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large wok or non-stick skillet
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 10 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce (if using), 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp white pepper, 2-3 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 3 tbsp water or chicken broth, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
  3. Cook udon noodles according to package instructions. If using fresh noodles, rinse under hot water to separate. If frozen, boil until tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
  4. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
  5. Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sliced yellow onion and green bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  6. Return the cooked beef to the wok with the vegetables. Add the drained udon noodles. Give the prepared black pepper sauce a quick whisk again, then pour it over the noodles, beef, and vegetables.
  7. Toss everything quickly to coat evenly, ensuring the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients, about 1-2 minutes. The sauce should become glossy.
  8. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds (if using). Serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra spicy kick, add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce or a dash of chili oil when serving. You can substitute other vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or broccoli florets. Fresh udon noodles are recommended for the best texture, but frozen work well too. Dried udon will also work but may have a slightly different chewiness.