Beef Noodle Soup

The aroma of simmering beef and spices filled my grandmother’s kitchen, creating a warmth that wrapped around you like a hug. It was always a special occasion when she made her Beef Noodle Soup. Now, I’m sharing her cherished recipe with you, hoping it brings the same comfort and joy to your home.

this Recipe

This Beef Noodle Soup recipe isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience. The rich, savory broth, tender beef, and perfectly cooked noodles create a symphony of flavors and textures. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion. So grab your ingredients, put on your apron, and let’s get started!

Fan-Favorite Reasons

This Beef Noodle Soup recipe is a winner for so many reasons:

• Deeply Flavorful: The combination of aromatics, spices, and slow-cooked beef creates a broth that’s incredibly rich and savory.
• Comforting and Satisfying: This soup is a hug in a bowl, perfect for warming you up on a chilly day.
• Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients and spice level to suit your preferences.
• Easy to Make: Despite its complex flavors, this soup is surprisingly simple to prepare, especially if using an Instant Pot.

Beef Noodle Soup

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5 from 1 review

• Author: Molly Carswell Pilz
• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 6-8 servings

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Description

This comforting Beef Noodle Soup, adapted from a cherished family recipe, features a rich and savory broth, tender beef, and perfectly cooked noodles. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for a cozy weeknight or a special occasion, easily customizable to your preferences.

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Ingredients

• 2–3 pound beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5–2 inch cubes
• Fresh ginger
• Garlic cloves
• Scallions
• One onion
• One tomato
• Dried chilies
• Rock sugar
• Shaoxing wine
• Dark and light soy sauces
• Tomato paste
• Spicy bean paste (douban jiang)
• Regular sugar
• Chinese aromatic herb packet
• Daikon radish
• Baby bok choy
• 1 pound dried egg noodles
• Fresh cilantro
• Chinese pickled mustard greens
• Oil
• Water
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef: Boil beef cubes for 1 minute, drain, and rinse.
2. Sear the Aromatics: Sauté ginger, garlic, scallions, and onion in oil until softened.
3. Season and Braise the Beef: Add beef, tomato paste, spicy bean paste, sugar, soy sauces, and Shaoxing wine to the pot.
4. Add Broth and Aromatics: Pour in water, add the herb packet and daikon radish. Pressure cook or simmer until beef is tender.
5. Cook Noodles and Bok Choy: Cook noodles according to package directions, adding bok choy during the last few minutes.
6. Finish and Serve: Remove herb packet. Season with salt. Serve soup over noodles, topped with bok choy, scallions, cilantro, and mustard greens.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider browning the beef cubes after boiling. Don’t overcook the noodles; slightly firm is ideal. If you can’t find pre-made Chinese aromatic herb packets, you can assemble your own using star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and bay leaves.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 3-4 hours
• Category: Soups
• Method: Simmer
• Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredient Lowdown

Let’s gather our ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need:

• Beef: A 2–3 pound beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5–2 inch cubes.
• Aromatics: Fresh ginger, garlic cloves, scallions, one onion, and a tomato. These build the flavor base of your soup.
• Seasonings: Dried chilies, rock sugar, Shaoxing wine, dark and light soy sauces, tomato paste, spicy bean paste (douban jiang), and regular sugar.
• Aromatic Herbs: A Chinese aromatic herb packet. These add depth and complexity to the broth. You can usually find pre-made packets at Asian grocery stores.
• Vegetables: Daikon radish and baby bok choy.
• Noodles: One pound of dried egg noodles.
• Garnishes: Fresh cilantro, Chinese pickled mustard greens, and fresh scallions.
• Other: Oil, water, and salt to taste.

From Start to Finish

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the beef cubes and boil for 1 minute to remove any impurities. Drain and rinse the beef thoroughly under cold water.

Step 2: Sear the Aromatics

Heat the oil in a large pot or Instant Pot over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic, scallions, and onions. Stir until lightly caramelized and the onion is translucent.

Step 3: Season and Braise the Beef

Add the beef to the pot. Stir in the tomato paste, spicy bean paste, sugar, soy sauces, and Shaoxing wine, ensuring the meat is well coated.

Step 4: Add Broth and Aromatics

Pour in 8 cups of water (or 16 cups for a more concentrated broth). Add the Chinese aromatic herb packet and the daikon radish. If using an Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 100 minutes on the Meat/Stew setting. For stovetop, simmer for 3-4 hours on low heat.

Step 5: Cook Noodles and Bok Choy

While the soup simmers, cook the egg noodles according to package directions. During the last 1–2 minutes of noodle cooking, add the bok choy and blanch until tender.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Once the soup is done, carefully release pressure if using an Instant Pot. Remove the herb packet and any large bones. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt. Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot soup and beef over the noodles. Top with blanched bok choy, chopped scallions, cilantro, and pickled mustard greens.

Better-Than-Grandma Tips

Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect Beef Noodle Soup:

• Clear Broth: For an even clearer broth, skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the initial boil. This small step makes a big difference!
• Flavor Infusion: Let the soup rest for at least an hour after cooking to allow the flavors to fully meld. This step deepens the taste and creates a more harmonious blend of spices and aromatics.
• Sweet Touch: Adding a touch of rock sugar balances the savory flavors and adds a subtle sweetness to the broth.
• Quick Pickled Mustard Greens: If you’re short on time, you can use pre-seasoned spicy mustard greens. Check out our guide on pickling vegetables for more ideas.

Make It Your Way

This Beef Noodle Soup recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking!

• Vegetarian: Substitute the beef with firm tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Use vegetable broth instead of water. You might also like our quick breakfast recipes.
• Spicy: Amp up the heat with extra dried chilies or a dash of chili oil.
• Noodle Swap: Experiment with different types of noodles, such as ramen, rice noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
• Greens Galore: Add other greens like spinach or gai lan along with the bok choy.
• Broth Booster: For an even richer broth, try adding a tablespoon of bone marrow or a piece of beef shank bone during cooking.

Pairs & Plates

This Beef Noodle Soup is a complete meal on its own, but you can certainly enhance the experience with a few thoughtful additions. A simple side of steamed rice is a classic accompaniment, soaking up every last drop of the flavorful broth. For a refreshing contrast, serve with a light and crunchy Asian slaw. You can also add some dumplings for an unforgettable dessert!

That’s a Wrap

This Beef Noodle Soup recipe is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s perfect for a chilly evening or a weekend when you want something warm and satisfying. The rich broth, tender beef, and slurp-worthy noodles are sure to please. Now that you’ve mastered this dish, what are you waiting for? Get cooking and share the love! Let me know how it goes in the comments below! For more hearty dinner inspiration, explore our Dinner recipes. Share the deliciousness on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.