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When you need a quick, bold, and textural filling meal, you need not look further than Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles. It is a bold, savory combination of tender seared steak, garlicky butter sauce, and lightning-fast noodles that mop up every last bit of flavor. It is that weeknight dinner that feels like you spent hours on it, but it is ready in under 30 minutes.
What Is Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles?
Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles is a fast stir-fry-style recipe that consists of thinly sliced steak that is seared until nicely browned, stir-fried in a buttery garlic sauce, and then served over quick-cooking noodles such as ramen, udon, or even rice noodles.
The lightning in the name describes both the fast cooking time and the bombastic flavor of this dish, which is bold, rich, and umami-bomb, with a smooth finish due to the butter and a touch of spice due to chili flakes (unless you prefer your food without spice).
The First Time I Tried Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles
I first prepared this dish when I was in a hurry, hungry, and did not have much time. I had some leftover ribeye, a package of ramen noodles, and a head of garlic. The outcome was simply magical.
A single taste of those butter noodles with their succulent slices of steak, and I knew I had hit the jackpot. It soon became a regular dinner on hectic nights when I needed comfort food with absolutely minimal effort.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Steak:
1 lb flank steak or ribeye, thinly sliced against the grain
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or avocado)
For the Lightning Noodles:
8 oz noodles (ramen, udon, or rice noodles work well)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 teaspoons brown sugar
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
Chopped scallions
Sesame seeds
Lime wedges
Sriracha or chili crisp
Instructions
1. Steak Marination
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Add the steak that has been cut into thin slices and mix until well-coated. Allow to rest 10 -15 minutes, as you prepare noodles and other ingredients.
2. Boil the Noodles
Boil noodles as directed on the package. Drain and reserve. Toss in a little sesame oil to avoid sticking.
3. Sear the Steak
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When it is hot, place the marinated steak in one layer. Allow to sear untouched 1-2 minutes, or until nicely browned, then turn and cook 1-2 minutes more, or until cooked through. Take the steak out of the skillet and keep it aside.
4. Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Melt some butter in the same skillet. Add finely chopped garlic and cook 30 to 60 seconds, stirring often, until aromatic but not colored. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes (optional), and a pinch of black pepper and stir.
5. Combine Everything
Put the cooked noodles and seared steak into the skillet. Mix it all up until the noodles are covered in the garlic butter and the steak is warmed through. Test and add seasoning, if necessary.
6. Garnish and Serve
Serve hot, garnished with scallions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime juice to taste. To make it spicier, add sriracha or chili crisp.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
1. Fast and simple -ready in less than 30 minutes.
2. Buttery, bold, garlicky, and satisfies all the cravings
3. Customizable -any noodles or protein can be used.
4. Small dishes -one pan, in case of a deep skillet or wok.
5. Even better than takeout (and it is less expensive!).
Tips and Variations
Noodle Swap: Rice noodles or soba are best, but spaghetti will do in a pinch.
Add Veggies: Stir in snap peas, bell peppers, or baby spinach during the final minutes of cooking to bulk up the nutrition.
Protein Variation: Replace steak with shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
Make It Extra Butter: To make it a richer sauce, add an extra tablespoon of butter.
Spice It Up: Add a dollop of chili oil or a splash of hot honey to taste at the end to make it sweet-spicy.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles is the dish that shows that even a quick dinner can be exciting. It gives a restaurant flavor using common pantry staples. It could be a recipe you made after a long day at work or one you make to impress your friends with the least amount of effort; either way, it will become one of those recipes you will go back to time and time again.
More Recipes:
Cookies And Cream Cookies Recipe
Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Steak:
- 1 lb flank steak or ribeye, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or avocado)
For the Lightning Noodles:
- 8 oz noodles (ramen, udon, or rice noodles work well)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
- Sriracha or chili crisp
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Add the steak that has been cut into thin slices and mix until well-coated. Allow to rest 10 -15 minutes, as you prepare noodles and other ingredients.
- Boil noodles as directed on the package. Drain and reserve. Toss in a little sesame oil to avoid sticking.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When it is hot, place the marinated steak in one layer. Allow to sear untouched 1-2 minutes, or until nicely browned, then turn and cook 1-2 minutes more, or until cooked through. Take the steak out of the skillet and keep it aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Melt some butter in the same skillet. Add finely chopped garlic and cook 30 to 60 seconds, stirring often, until aromatic but not colored. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes (optional), and a pinch of black pepper and stir.
- Put the cooked noodles and seared steak into the skillet. Mix it all up until the noodles are covered in the garlic butter and the steak is warmed through. Test and add seasoning, if necessary.
- Serve hot, garnished with scallions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime juice to taste. To make it spicier, add sriracha or chili crisp.
Norma Parker is a recipe creator at Nomqom.com. She shares simple, tasty, and easy home-cooking ideas for everyday meals. Her goal is to help home cooks make delicious food with confidence.