Few dishes are as quick and delicious as Black Pepper Beef Udon is. A tasty dish, this one is made of soft pieces of beef, long-chew udon noodles, greens, and a strong black pepper sauce that is full of bold flavors. Being a busy and proactive person in need of a quick dinner or a lover of food in need of a wholesome and delicious bite, this dish will most likely end up in your food repertoire.
Here, in this blog post, we will discuss why Black Pepper Beef Udon is such an outstanding meal, how to make it easily at home and some of the tips to make it to your taste. Let’s dive in!
What is Black Pepper Beef Udon?
Udon is a Japanese noodle of wheat flour, water, and salt that is thick and chewy. Another well-known characteristic of udon noodles is its pleasing texture that makes it extremely versatile and applicable in soups, stir-fries, and hot pots. Combining these noodles with beef and a spicy sauce makes this meal look and taste hearty and full of flavour.
The focus of black pepper Beef Udon is particularly on the sharp, hotly spicy flavors of freshly ground black pepper, which mingles with the savory beef and delicate noodles. The green vegetables that usually go into this dish to add a touch of freshness to the heavy sauce include bok choy or spinach.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Easy and Fast: This meal requires a few ingredients and very little preparation time, so it is great to make during weeknights or when time to cook a meal is limited.
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Delicious: The black pepper sauce is spicy and does not dominate the other ingredients in the dish so every bite is exciting.
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Healthy: Beef contains protein, and the greens contain vitamins and minerals, so this meal is balanced.
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Made to order: Replace beef with chicken, tofu, or another protein and include your favorite vegetables to create your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
In order to prepare Black Pepper Beef Udon, you will need the following ingredients:
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Udon noodles (fresh or frozen)
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Sliced beef, very thin (sirloin or ribeye)
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Fresh greens (spinach, bok choy or kale)
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Garlic and ginger (to give aroma and flavour)
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Soy sauce (as an additive due to umami and salty taste)
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Oyster sauce (not compulsory, adds flavor)
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Black pepper freshly ground (the star of the dish!)
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Cooking vegetable oil or sesame oil
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Green onions or scallions (to garner)
How to Cook Step-by-Step
Prepare the Ingredients
Begin by cutting the beef into fine slices so that they can be cooked fast and evenly. Wash and cut your greens into small bite sized bits. Peel the ginger and mince the garlic in order to unleash its aroma.
Cook the Udon Noodles
When using fresh or frozen udon noodles, boil them as instructions on the package direct and until they are merely tender. Rinse and drain under cold water to prevent cooking process and place aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef
Heat a large pan or skillet, wok, in medium-high heat and pour oil. After it is hot, put in the sliced beef and stir-fry until browned and barely cooked all the way. Take the beef out of the pan and place it to the side.
Saute Aromatics and Greens
Add a bit more oil into the same pan as necessary. Add the garlic and ginger and stir up without burning them. Add the greens and stir-fry them until they are wilted and yet bright.
Combine and Season
Add the beef back in the pan with the greens. Stir it all together with the cooked udon noodles. Add soy sauce and oysters sauce and spice it generously with freshly ground black pepper. Stir until all is covered and heated.
Serve and Garnish
Move black pepper beef Udon to serving bowls and then sprinkle with chopped green onions or scallions. Serve immediately while hot.
The Black Pepper Beef Udon is Best Supplemented With Tips
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Fresh Ground Black Pepper: Pre-ground pepper goes dead. To maximize the flavour, freshly grind black peppercorns to cook with.
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Do NOT Overcook the Beef: Thin slices are fast. Beef that is overcooked may get tough, so watch closely during stir-frying.
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Balance Your Sauces: Try and adjust the amounts of soy sauce or oyster sauce depending on how much you like salt.
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Add Pepper to Taste: If you are a spice-lover, add chili flakes or drizzle some chili oil to give it more spiciness.
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Use Alternative Greens: You can always add some kale or baby bok choy and/or even snap peas to give your meal its preferred textures and tastes.
Nutritional Benefits
This food is a good source of macronutrients. The beef contains protein and iron, which are needed to sustain muscles and carry oxygen in the body. Udon noodles are a source of carbohydrates, which provide energy, greens are also a source of vitamins A and C and antioxidants. The dish is not heavy as minimal oil and fresh ingredients are used to make it.
Variations to Try
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Chicken Black Pepper Udon: Replace beef with thinly sliced chicken breast or thigh instead.
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Vegetarian/Vegan Version: Use firm tofu or tempeh in place of beef and Mushroom sauce instead of oyster sauce.
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Seafood Shake: Add in some shrimp or scallops to add a seafood touch to the dish.
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Spicy Black Pepper Udon: Slice fresh chili or chili paste and add it to the sauce to make it spicy.
Why Make This at Home?
Takeout or dining out may be convenient but may require extra preservatives, fatty unhealthy foods and raised prices. By cooking Black Pepper Beef Udon yourself, you can manage its constituents, add or reduce flavours to your taste, and have a nutritious and healthy meal. And it’s an excellent technique to impress friends and family with the restaurant quality dish that is as easy to make as possible.
Conclusion
Black Pepper Beef Udon is the best example of a simple dish made of simple ingredients that end up doing wonders. The combination of tender beef, tangy noodles, fresh greens, and spicy black pepper sauce makes it easy and invigorating to eat. This is a well-known easy-to-cook recipe that both beginners and expert home cooks can use and enjoy very much.
