Bright, savory, and quick to make, this five-spice beef and noodle stir-fry pairs thinly sliced flank steak with lo mein-style noodles, fresh ginger and garlic, crisp scallions and carrot, and a hoisin-soy sauce spiked with a touch of five-spice powder. It’s an easy one-pan dinner that comes together in about 35 minutes and serves four.
Five-Spice Beef and Noodle Stir Fry
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank, skirt or flat-iron steak
- 10 ounces lo mein noodles (substitute ramen or spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder (see notes)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (divided)
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic (very finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger (finely chopped)
- 4 scallions (thinly sliced)
- 1 small carrot (julienned)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped, optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the noodles.
-
In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder. Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce until the sugar dissolves. Taste and add a bit more five-spice if you prefer a stronger flavor.
-
Slice the steak against the grain into 2 to 2 1/2-inch strips, then cut each strip across the grain into thin (about 1/4-inch) slices.
-
Toss the steak with the soy-sugar mixture and let it marinate for 15 minutes while you prepare the noodles and sauce.
-
Cook the noodles according to package directions, drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
-
In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce with the hoisin and sriracha. Adjust heat to taste.
-
Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry until just browned, about 1½–2 minutes.
-
Pour in the hoisin mixture and cook 1 minute more. Add the noodles, scallions, carrot and cilantro, tossing with tongs until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
-
Divide among plates and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
About Five-Spice Powder:
Five-spice powder is a classic Chinese blend that usually contains cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel seed and white pepper. It’s aromatic and concentrated, so start with a small amount—about 1/4 teaspoon—and increase only if you like a more pronounced flavor.
If your five-spice has been sitting on the shelf for a long time, its flavor can fade; taste and adjust accordingly. If you prefer, omit it entirely and add a very small pinch of cinnamon instead.