Go Back

Sticky Beef Noodles

Sticky beef noodles with glossy ramen tossed in a deep, sticky soy-ginger sauce and caramelized ground beef. Quick noodle dinner method: high-heat browning and a short toss until the sauce clings to every strand.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian-American
Calories: 720
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

ground beef
  • 1 lb ground beef
ramen noodles
  • 3 (3 oz each) ramen noodles, cooked (discard seasoning packets)
aromatics
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
sticky sauce
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sriracha
garnish
  • 1 sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet

Method
 

Cook the noodles
  1. Cook ramen noodles according to package directions (discard seasoning packets), then drain and set aside.
  2. Keep the noodles warm so they can absorb the sauce when tossed.
Make the sticky sauce
  1. Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sriracha until smooth and glossy.
Brown and season the beef
  1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over high heat, breaking into crumbles, then drain excess fat.
  2. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant and just starting to brown.
  3. Pour the sticky sauce over the beef and stir to coat the crumbles evenly.
Toss and serve
  1. Add cooked noodles to the skillet and toss everything together over high heat for 2 minutes, until noodles are coated and the sauce looks thick and clingy.
  2. Serve immediately, topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Pro tip: drain the beef well and keep heat high during the final toss so the sauce reduces onto the noodles instead of pooling. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the glaze. Freezing isn’t recommended because the noodles can soften. For a gluten-aware swap, use tamari instead of soy sauce and check that your ramen noodles are gluten-free.