Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with Braised Beef Short Ribs

A comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender braised beef short ribs served over spicy Dan Dan noodles. This recipe combines the rich savory flavor of slow-cooked beef with the numbing spice of Sichuan cuisine.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Total Time

3 hours 30 minutes

Calories

1125 kcal

Difficulty

Medium

Equipment

5 items

Cost

£5.33/serving

Season:

☀️ Summer

Meal Type:

Lunch•Dinner

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Cooking Style:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

2lbsBeef Short Ribs(Bone-in)

£10.00

2tbspVegetable Oil(For searing the short ribs)

£0.10

1Yellow Onion(Chopped)

£0.50

2Carrot(Chopped)

£0.30

2Celery Stalks(Chopped)

£0.40

4clovesGarlic(Minced)

£0.20

1inchGinger(Grated)

£0.30

4cupsBeef Broth

£1.50

1cupDry Red Wine(Optional, can substitute with more beef broth)

£2.00

2tbspSoy Sauce(Regular or light)

£0.10

1tbspDark Soy Sauce(For color)

£0.15

2Star Anise

£0.25

1Cinnamon Stick

£0.10

1Bay Leaf

£0.05

1tbspSichuan Peppercorns(For the sauce)

£0.50

2tbspSesame Paste (Tahini)

£0.40

2tbspChili Oil(Adjust to taste)

£0.60

1tbspChinese Rice Wine (Shaoxing)(Optional)

£0.20

1tspSugar

£0.01

4ozGround Pork(Optional, adds depth of flavor to the noodles)

£1.20

8ozDry Noodles(Dan Dan or other wheat noodles)

£1.00

2tbspPreserved Vegetables (Zha Cai)(Finely chopped, optional but authentic)

£0.75

2Scallions(Chopped, for garnish)

£0.40

2tbspPeanuts(Roasted and chopped, for garnish)

£0.30

Total Cost

£21.31

£5.33 per serving

Instructions

1.
**Braised Beef Short Ribs:** Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2.
Season beef short ribs generously with salt and pepper.
3.
Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs on all sides until browned. Remove from pot and set aside.
4.
Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5.
Add garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
6.
Deglaze the pot with red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce slightly.
7.
Return short ribs to the pot. Add beef broth, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf.
8.
Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 2.5-3 hours, or until the short ribs are fork-tender.
9.
Remove the short ribs from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Shred the beef from the bones (discard bones) and set aside.
10.
Strain the braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids. Reserve the braising liquid. Reduce the liquid in a skillet over medium heat to thicken into a sauce if desired.
11.
**Dan Dan Noodles Sauce:** In a dry skillet, toast Sichuan peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
12.
In a large bowl, combine the ground Sichuan peppercorns, sesame paste, chili oil, soy sauce, rice wine (if using), and sugar. Add a few tablespoons of the braising liquid to thin out the sauce to desired consistency. Mix well.
13.
**Ground Pork (Optional):** If using ground pork, brown it in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
14.
**Assemble the Noodles:** Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
15.
Add the cooked noodles to the bowl with the sauce and toss to coat.
16.
Top with shredded braised beef, ground pork (if using), preserved vegetables (if using), chopped scallions, and chopped peanuts.
17.
Serve immediately.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (450g)

1125 kcal / 4707 kJ

Carbs

45g

17% of RDA

Fat

75g

107% of RDA

Protein

65g

130% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

7 g

23% of RDA

Sugar

12 g

13% of RDA

Sodium

1150 mg

50% of RDA

Saturated Fat

25 g

125% of RDA

Chef's Tips

Adjust the amount of chili oil to your preference for spice.

For a richer flavor, let the braised short ribs rest in the braising liquid overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.

You can find Sichuan peppercorns, sesame paste, chili oil, and Chinese rice wine at Asian grocery stores.

If you don't have a spice grinder, you can crush the Sichuan peppercorns with a rolling pin or in a mortar and pestle.

Cooking Equipment

Oven

Stove

Large Dutch Oven or Pot

Large Skillet

Mixing Bowls

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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Chef's Tips

Adjust the amount of chili oil to your preference for spice.

For a richer flavor, let the braised short ribs rest in the braising liquid overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.

You can find Sichuan peppercorns, sesame paste, chili oil, and Chinese rice wine at Asian grocery stores.

If you don't have a spice grinder, you can crush the Sichuan peppercorns with a rolling pin or in a mortar and pestle.

Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with Braised Beef Short Ribs

Ingredients

Instructions