Name: Beef Chow Fun: A Stir-Fry Classic You’ll Want to Make Again and Again
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb flank steak (or sirloin steak); 8 oz wide rice noodles; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp hoisin sauce; 1 tbsp water; 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance the saltiness); 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tbsp fresh ginger (minced); 3 green onions (chopped); 1 cup bean sprouts

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If you’re a fan of Chinese takeout, you’ve probably tried Beef Chow Fun at least once—and I bet you loved it. The combination of tender beef, savory sauce, and wide rice noodles just hits the spot. The best part? You can easily make this delicious dish at home, and it’s so much better than anything you’ll find in a takeout box.

This Beef Chow Fun is all about big, bold flavors, and it’s surprisingly simple to make with just a few key ingredients. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Beef Chow Fun is the kind of dish that checks all the boxes—tender beef, chewy noodles, and a flavorful sauce that ties everything together. The wide rice noodles soak up the savory sauce and give each bite a satisfying texture. Plus, this stir-fry is super quick to make, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a comforting homemade meal.

It’s one of those dishes that’s not just good—it’s addictively good. Once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for more!

Ingredients (Full list of ingredients below!)

You don’t need a whole bunch of ingredients to make Beef Chow Fun, but the ones you do need are packed with flavor. Here’s a sneak peek:

Flank steak (or sirloin steak)
Wide rice noodles
Soy sauce
Oyster sauce
Hoisin sauce
Fresh ginger
Green onions
Bean sprouts

The full list of ingredients is just below, but these are the key components that make this dish so delicious.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start by slicing your flank steak (or sirloin) thinly against the grain. This helps make the beef extra tender when stir-fried. Next, cook your wide rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain them and set them aside. It’s important to keep the noodles slightly undercooked because they’ll cook a little more in the stir-fry.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and a little water to make the sauce. You can also add a pinch of sugar to balance out the saltiness if you like. Set the sauce aside for now.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Beef

In a large wok or skillet, heat up some vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add your sliced beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned and just cooked through. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan so the beef can sear properly. Once the beef is done, remove it from the wok and set it aside.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

In the same wok, add a little more oil if needed and toss in your chopped ginger and green onions. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add the bean sprouts and continue stir-frying for another minute or so. The vegetables should still be a little crunchy when you’re done.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Now, add the cooked noodles and beef back into the wok with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over everything and toss it all together. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, making sure the noodles are coated in that delicious sauce. Once everything is combined and heated through, you’re done!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the Beef Chow Fun hot, garnished with a little extra green onion if you like. It’s perfect on its own or with a side of stir-fried veggies. Enjoy!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Slice the Beef Thinly: For the best texture, make sure to slice your beef thinly against the grain. This will ensure it stays tender when stir-fried.
Rice Noodles Can Stick Together: After cooking your noodles, rinse them with cold water and toss them with a little oil to prevent them from sticking together.
Customize the Vegetables: While this recipe uses bean sprouts and green onions, feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers, snow peas, or bok choy. Just make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly.
Make It Spicy: If you love a little heat, add some chili paste or red pepper flakes to the sauce to give the dish a spicy kick.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Different Meats: While beef is the classic choice for this dish, you can swap it out for chicken, pork, or shrimp. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time depending on the protein you use.
Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) and ensure that the oyster sauce is also gluten-free. You can also swap the hoisin sauce with a gluten-free alternative.
Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian version, skip the meat altogether and add extra vegetables, like mushrooms, broccoli, or tofu for protein. You can also replace the oyster sauce with a vegetarian alternative made from mushrooms.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Beef Chow Fun is a complete meal in itself, but you can serve it with other Chinese-inspired dishes for a larger spread. Pair it with some crispy egg rolls, dumplings, or a light soup like hot and sour soup for a well-rounded dinner. A side of stir-fried vegetables or a simple cucumber salad with sesame oil would also complement this dish nicely.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers, you’re in luck because Beef Chow Fun stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just store the noodles and beef in an airtight container. To reheat, you can either stir-fry it again in a wok or skillet, adding a little splash of water or soy sauce to loosen up the noodles. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, but stir halfway through to make sure it heats evenly.

4 FAQs

1. Can I make Beef Chow Fun without a wok?

Yes! While a wok is ideal for stir-frying, you can easily make this dish in a large skillet or sauté pan. Just make sure the pan is large enough to accommodate everything.

2. Can I use dry noodles instead of fresh rice noodles?

Yes, you can. Just cook the dry noodles according to the package directions before using them in the stir-fry. If you’re using dry noodles, be sure to rinse them after cooking to prevent sticking.

3. Can I add more sauce?

If you prefer a saucier dish, feel free to double the sauce ingredients. Just make sure to toss the noodles well to ensure they’re evenly coated.

4. How can I make this dish gluten-free?

To make Beef Chow Fun gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), and check that the hoisin and oyster sauces are gluten-free. You can also use gluten-free rice noodles.

Conclusion

Beef Chow Fun is the kind of dish that’s perfect for any night of the week—quick, satisfying, and full of flavor. Whether you’re craving a homemade takeout dinner or trying to impress friends and family, this stir-fry won’t disappoint. Plus, it’s so customizable, so you can adjust it to your taste. Give it a try next time you’re in the mood for a delicious, homemade Chinese meal!

Beef Chow Fun: A Stir-Fry Classic You’ll Want to Make Again and Again

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Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish, Stir-Fry
Method: Stir-Fry
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Beef Chow Fun is a popular Chinese stir-fry dish featuring tender beef, chewy rice noodles, and a savory sauce. This homemade version is quick, easy, and better than takeout. Packed with bold flavors and perfect for busy nights, this dish is sure to become a household favorite.

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Slice flank steak thinly against the grain. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside (keep slightly undercooked to allow for stir-frying).
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, water, and sugar. Set aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove from the wok and set aside.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same wok, add more oil if necessary. Stir-fry ginger and green onions for 1 minute. Add bean sprouts and stir-fry for an additional minute.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked noodles and beef back into the wok. Pour the sauce over and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until well-coated.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot, garnished with extra green onion if desired.

Notes

Slice beef thinly to ensure tender stir-fried meat.
Rinse noodles with cold water and toss with oil after cooking to prevent sticking.
Customize vegetables as desired (e.g., bell peppers, bok choy, or snow peas).
Add chili paste or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce and ensuring oyster sauce is gluten-free.