My version of the spicy Chinese-inspired stir fry, dan dan noodles, is made with ground beef, chili oil & greens for a tasty weeknight dinner!
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Ingredients in this recipe
My version of these noodles is an easy stir fry for busy weeknights, and you just need a few simple ingredients to tie it all together.
Here's what you need on hand:
- extra-lean ground beef
- sambal oelek or Sriracha (spicy Asian hot chili sauce)
- spaghetti (you can also use pre-cooked Chinese noodles that you can find in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store, sometimes in with the wonton wrappers)
- bok choy or other greens
- scallions
- sesame seeds
- peanuts
- soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, minced garlic and five spice powder for the sauce
A note on the five spice powder
This recipe calls for 1 tsp five spice powder, but if you don't have it on hand at home, you can use a blend of 1 star anise, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp fennel seeds, 1/4 tsp ground cloves & 1/4 tsp black pepper.
What type of noodles are in Dan Dan?
Typically, a thin wheat noodle is used to make this dish.
You may be able to find dandan noodles in the refrigerated section of an Asian market. Otherwise, any thin wheat noodle will work.
My recipe uses spaghetti noodles because they are easy to find, but you could also use any of the following:
- Mein noodles – like lo mein or chow mein
- Ramen – just the noodles, not the cheap flavored packages
- Rice noodles – a dried white noodle that makes this dish gluten-free
How to make this stir fry
It's super easy to make these noodles. Here are the steps:
- Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, brown ground beef in a large skillet over med-high heat and mix together ingredients for sauce.
- Add bok choy and sautee for 1 min until slightly wilted.
- Add cooked noodles and stir fry sauce to skillet, tossing to coat and sauteeing over high heat for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in scallions.
- Mix together well.
- Serve in large bowls then garnish with sesame seeds and peanuts. Serve and enjoy!
Ingredient substitutions
- Ground beef – To change the flavour, replace the beef with ground pork or chicken. Or for a meatless option, use vegan crumbles, finely chopped mushrooms, or even tofu.
- Bok choy – substitute green cabbage or another leafy green vegetable
- Sambal oelek – Sriracha, Chinese chili sauce, or Gochujang are great substitutes.
- Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free options
- Hoison sauce – make sure to use a gluten-free brand if needed
- Five spice powder – For fresher flavour, see recipe card for how to make your own blend
Are these noodles healthy?
This noodle dish is high in protein, low in fat and calories, and contains lots of vitamins and minerals. If you aren’t gluten restricted, using whole wheat noodles is a healthier option than white pasta.
Are Dan Dan noodles Chinese?
Yes, Dan Dan noodles started as a popular street food in the Sichuan province of China.
Street vendors would carry a long bamboo pole called a “dan,” which is where the dish got its name.
On each end of the pole was a basket; one basket held all of the ingredients, while the other held the cookware used to make the dish
More vegetable add-ins
It’s easy to add any of your favorite vegetables to this dish. Try different ways of slicing or even spiralizing them to create different textures.
Here are some ideas:
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Bean sprouts
- Red bell pepper
- Celery, finely chopped
- Zucchini
- Carrots
Storing and reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove. Sprinkle some water over the dish to add moisture back in. This helps to keep the noodles from drying out.
Another great thing about this dish is how easy it is to meal prep! You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in a jar in the refrigerator. Once refrigerated, it will last for up to 2 weeks.
Can you freeze stir fry noodles?
It’s not impossible to freeze the dish, but here are some things to take into consideration:
For best results, cooked noodles and sauce should be frozen separately. Otherwise, the noodles will turn to mush when thawed and reheated.
If you’d like to freeze the completed dish, cook the noodles for less time so that they are still slightly firm (al dente). This way, they should be closer to the correct texture when you’re ready to eat.
To freeze stir fry noodles, store individual portions in airtight containers or freezer-safe Ziploc bags. Be sure to squeeze all the air out of the bags to prevent ice crystals.
This recipe will keep for up to 3 months in the coldest part of the freezer.
More Asian-inspired noodle recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on storing the leftovers
- I get all my grass-fed ground beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen
- Order some five spice powder online
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Faux Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp sambal oelek or Sriracha
- 1 lb spaghetti (you can also use dried white noodles but they are harder to find. Ramen noodles are also a great substitute)
- 2 cups chopped bok choy
- 1 bunch scallions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Peanuts, for garnish
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp five spice powder (note: if you don't have five spice powder, you can use a blend of 1 star anise, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp fennel seeds, 1/4 tsp ground cloves & 1/4 tsp black or white pepper)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water for 9-11 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over med-high heat. Meanwhile, mix together ingredients for sauce.
- Add bok choy and sautee for 1 min until slightly wilted, then add cooked noodles and stir fry sauce to skillet, tossing to coat and sauteeing over high heat for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in scallions.
- Serve in large bowls then garnish with sesame seeds and peanuts. Serve and enjoy!
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