· 8 oz. your favorite noodles (udon, lo mein, spaghetti, or ramen noodles work great)
· 1 tbsp cooking oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable)
· 1 lb lean ground beef
· 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
· 3-4 green onions, sliced (separate white and green parts)
· Optional for serving: Toasted sesame seeds, extra sliced green onion.
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep and Cook Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha.
Sprinkle the cornstarch over the sauce and whisk vigorously until completely smooth. This is your key to a thick, glossy sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef and Aromatics
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cooking oil.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink.
Add the sliced yellow onion and the white parts of the green onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onions have softened.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Give the sauce another quick whisk (the cornstarch can settle) and pour it into the skillet with the beef.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. The sauce will begin to thicken significantly within 1-2 minutes.
Once the sauce is thick and glossy, add the cooked noodles and the green parts of the green onions.
Toss everything together until the noodles are perfectly coated in the sauce and heated through.
Step 5: Serve
Serve immediately, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and extra sliced green onions.
Pro-Tips for Success:
· Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: This is what makes the sauce “stick” to the noodles and beef, creating that classic takeout texture. Make sure to whisk it in well to avoid lumps.
· Control the Salt: Use low-sodium soy sauce so you can control the salt level. If you use regular soy sauce, you may want to reduce the amount slightly.
· Vegetable Boost: Feel free to add other vegetables with the onions. Thinly sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or broccoli florets would be excellent additions. For harder veggies like broccoli, add them a minute or two before the onions to soften.
· Ramen Noodle Hack: For a super quick version, you can use two packages of ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packets). Cook them according to package directions and use them in place of the other noodles.
· Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and certified gluten-free noodles (like rice noodles or gluten-free spaghetti).
Enjoy your incredibly fast and flavorful homemade “fakeout”! It’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
