ooking for a quick, flavorful meal that combines savory, spicy, and umami-rich ingredients? This Beefy Soba Noodles in a Sesame Gochujang Sauce is the perfect dish for you! With tender beef, nutty soba noodles, and a creamy sesame sauce with the heat of gochujang, this dish is sure to satisfy all your cravings.
Ingredients:
For the Noodles:
- 8 oz soba noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for sautéing)
- 1 lb beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
For the Sesame Gochujang Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons tahini (or peanut butter for a twist)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 cup warm water (to thin the sauce as needed)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Soba Noodles:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to package instructions (typically around 4-5 minutes).
- Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Sesame Gochujang Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the gochujang, tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil.
- Whisk together until smooth. Add warm water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency (thicker for a coating or thinner for drizzling). Set aside.
3. Cook the Beef and Vegetables:
- Heat a tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the thinly sliced beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the garlic, ginger, red bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, just until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
4. Assemble the Dish:
- Add the cooked soba noodles back into the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sesame gochujang sauce over the noodles and toss everything together until well-coated and heated through.
- Return the beef to the skillet and toss to combine with the noodles and sauce.
5. Garnish and Serve:
- Divide the beefy soba noodles into bowls. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and extra gochujang if you like more heat.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and nutty flavors!
Tips:
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can swap the beef for tofu or tempeh.
- Adjust the heat by adding more or less gochujang depending on your spice tolerance.
- Feel free to throw in other vegetables, like spinach, mushrooms, or bok choy, for extra texture and flavor.
This Beefy Soba Noodles in Sesame Gochujang Sauce is the ideal meal for busy weeknights or whenever you need a flavorful dish that packs a punch. Enjoy!