Name: Easy Freezer Meal Japanese Beef Udon Noodle Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-487196H17M17S
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 2–3 stalks green onion, cut into 2‑inch pieces (reserve some for garnish); 300–400 g hot‑pot sliced beef; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp mirin; 2 tbsp sake; ½ tsp black pepper; 4 cups dashi stock; 3 packs frozen udon noodles; ½ cup broccoli florets; ½ cup sliced carrots

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Short Description

A comforting and savory Japanese-style udon noodle soup featuring tender hot-pot beef, sautéed onions, vegetables, and flavorful dashi broth—designed for freezer-friendly prep and quick weeknight meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Prep-ahead friendly: assemble in advance, freeze, and thaw for a hearty meal later
Balanced flavors: rich dashi broth, umami from soy sauce and mirin, and tender beef
Nutritious and comforting: hearty udon noodles with vegetables and beef make it a complete dish
Quick to cook: comes together fast, ideal for a satisfying dinner in under 30 minutes once thawed

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Soup Ingredients

1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2–3 stalks green onion, cut into 2‑inch pieces (reserve some thinly sliced greens for garnish)
1 pack hot-pot sliced beef (approx. 300–400 g)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons sake
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 cups dashi stock
3 packs frozen udon noodles
½ cup broccoli florets
½ cup sliced carrots

Directions

Preparation (Freezer-Friendly Stage)

In a large pan, sauté the sliced onion over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add the hot-pot sliced beef and cook for another 2–3 minutes, tossing to separate strands.
Season the beef and onions with soy sauce, mirin, sake, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Continue simmering for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and beef to tenderize.
Meanwhile, in a separate pot, bring the dashi stock to a gentle simmer.
Add frozen udon noodles, broccoli florets, and carrot slices to the simmering broth. Cook until vegetables are just tender and udon is heated through.
Remove from heat. Let the mixture cool slightly before assembling freezer portions:
- Divide cooked noodles, vegetables, beef, and onions into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags.
- Pour in enough dashi broth to cover ingredients. Seal, label with date, and freeze.

Cooking (After Thawing)

Thaw the sealed container overnight in the refrigerator or under cold water until fully thawed.
Gently reheat the soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
As the soup warms, garnishes and final aromatics are best added fresh.

Assemble for Serving

Ladle noodles, vegetables, and beef into bowls with warmed broth.
Garnish with thinly sliced green onion pieces for fresh color and brightness. Serve hot.

Servings And Timing

Servings: Approximately 3–4 bowls depending on container size and portioning
Prep Time: ~15 minutes (initial cook and portioning)
Cook Time: ~10 minutes (to cook noodles and simmer beef and onions)
Reheat Time: ~5–8 minutes after thawing
Total Time: ~30 minutes including reheating

Variations

Protein swap: Use thinly sliced pork or chicken instead of beef.
Vegetable mix-ins: Add mushrooms, snap peas, baby corn, or spinach for variety.
Spice kick: Add a splash of chili oil or a spoonful of chili paste to the broth.
Miso infusion: Stir in a tablespoon of miso paste during reheating for additional umami depth.
Rice noodles: Substitute udon with rice or soba noodles if preferred.

Storage/Reheating

Store: Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight and gently warm on the stovetop. Add fresh broth or water if broth has reduced.
Once reheated: Consume promptly for best texture and flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I Use Chicken Or Pork Instead Of Beef?

Yes—thinly sliced pork or chicken work just as well and cook quickly in the seasoned onions.

2. Is Dashi Stock Essential?

Dashi adds authentic umami, but you can substitute with low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth if needed.

3. Can I Add More Vegetables?

Absolutely—feel free to include mushrooms, bok choy, spinach, or snap peas in freezer portions.

4. What If I Don’t Have Frozen Udon?

Cook fresh udon or even ramen noodles separately and add during reheating to avoid sogginess.

5. How Can I Make It Spicy?

Add chili oil, shichimi pepper, or a spoonful of chili paste to the broth when reheating.

6. Can I Skip The Alcohol (Mirin/Sake)?

You can substitute with a bit of sugar and extra soy sauce if preferred—flavor is slightly less nuanced.

7. Should I Add Garnish Before Freezing?

Reserve fresh green onion garnish to add at serving—freezing can dull its brightness.

8. Can I Use Homemade Dashi?

Yes—homemade kombu/bonito dashi enhances authenticity but store-bought dashi is fine.

9. What’s The Best Way To Thaw?

Refrigerate overnight or submerge sealed bag in cold water. Avoid thawing at room temperature for food safety.

10. How Do I Prevent Noodles From Becoming Mushy?

Use frozen noodles or cook fresh ones when reheating. Avoid overcooking by heating just until warmed through.

Conclusion

Easy Freezer Meal Japanese Beef Udon Noodle Soup offers comfort, speed, and versatility all in one. With its savory broth, tender beef, and satisfying vegetables and noodles, it’s perfect for prepping ahead and enjoying at a moment’s notice. Customize freely, freeze confidently, and warm up to a bowl of hearty, home-style Japanese comfort any night of the week.

Maggie

Easy Freezer Meal Japanese Beef Udon Noodle Soup

Short Description

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients