Follow these steps carefully for stir-fry success. The key to a great stir-fry is preparation and speed. Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you even think about turning on the stove. This French technique, known as mise en place, is non-negotiable for this recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce and Marinate the Beef

First, let’s create the magic sauce. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: the low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Continue whisking until the brown sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Set this bowl aside. Next, prepare the beef. In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Mix well until each piece is lightly coated. This quick marinade will not only season the meat but also help it to stay incredibly tender. Let it sit while you prepare the other components.

Step 2: Cook the Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add your noodles and cook according to the package directions, but with one crucial adjustment: undercook them by about 1 minute. They will finish cooking in the pan later, and this step is vital to prevent them from becoming mushy. Once cooked, drain the noodles immediately and rinse them under cold running water. This stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch, which helps prevent sticking. Toss the rinsed noodles with a half-teaspoon of sesame oil to keep them separated while you work on the rest of the stir-fry.

Step 3: Sear the Beef

Place a large wok or a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Let it get screaming hot. You should see faint wisps of smoke rising from the surface. Add 1 tablespoon of your high-smoke-point oil. Carefully add the marinated beef to the pan in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan (cook in two batches if necessary). Let the beef sear, undisturbed, for 1-2 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust forms. The goal is not to cook it through, but to get great color and flavor. Once seared, remove the beef from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

Reduce the heat slightly to medium-high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Add the sliced onions and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until they begin to soften. Next, add the harder vegetables: the broccoli florets and carrots. Continue to stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. You want them to become tender-crisp, not soft. Now, add the minced garlic and ginger, along with the sliced bell peppers. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic and ginger are fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 5: Combine and Sauce

Give your prepared sauce a quick whisk to recombine the cornstarch that may have settled at the bottom. Pour the sauce all over the vegetables in the pan. It will begin to bubble and thicken almost immediately. This is the cornstarch doing its job.

Step 6: The Final Toss

Add the cooked noodles and the seared beef (along with any juices from the plate) back into the pan with the vegetables and sauce. Using tongs, toss everything together gently but quickly, ensuring every single noodle, piece of beef, and vegetable is coated in the glossy, delicious sauce. Continue to toss and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the noodles and beef are heated through.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Turn off the heat. Your Simple Stir-Fried Noodle dish is ready! Transfer it to a large serving platter or individual bowls. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy the compliments.