This Lo Mein recipe is the perfect 15-minute dinner! It is quick and easy to make but loaded with bold flavors. This homemade takeout recipe is great for busy weeknights. In addition, it is a great way to eat more vegetables. Add your favorite protein like steak, chicken, pork, or shrimp. Add this to your weekly dinner rotation!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This quick and easy Lo Mein takes only 15 minutes.
- Other than the noodles, everything is made in one wok or pan.
- It tastes like restaurant-quality takeout!
- This is a great way to eat more veggies.
- The sauce is incredibly rich and flavorful.
- Each bite is an explosion of flavor.
- Lo Mein has a great mix of noodles, fresh vegetables, and a hearty sauce.
- Overall, it is a healthy and nutritious dish.
- It has a delicious protein and veggie combination.
- This lo mein recipe is versatile and customizable.
- It can be easily made gluten-free with gluten-free noodles.
- Make this dish vegetarian or with meat.
- Check out this Pork Lo Mein or this Mar Far Chicken recipe for another easy dinner!
Ingredients & Substitutes
Scroll down to the bottom for the full recipe and directions.
Lo Mein usually contains noodles, veggies, protein, and sauce. The most common veggies include carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, snow peas, and bok choy. Protein typically includes chicken, pork, shrimp, steak, beef, or tofu.
Use brown rice Lo Mein noodles. If these are difficult to find, feel free to use brown rice spaghetti.
Olive oil helps cook the minced garlic and veggies. Feel free to use avocado oil instead.
Minced garlic adds a classic garlicky flavor to this Asian-inspired dish.
For this specific recipe, the vegetables include onion, carrot, bell pepper, mushrooms, cabbage, and bean sprouts. Feel free to adjust the amounts or switch out the veggies.
Soy sauce adds a classic Asian flavor to the sauce. For gluten-free, use coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce. In addition, use gluten-free noodles.
Oyster sauce is entirely optional. It adds even more depth of flavor. For vegan, omit. Double check that oyster sauce does not contain added sugar.
In addition, hoisin sauce adds flavor to the sauce. This can usually be found in the Asian aisle in grocery stores. It is also available online. Be sure that it does not contain added sugar.
A little sesame oil adds a lot of flavor! Likewise, check for added sugar.
Add in salt and pepper to taste.
Lastly, garnish with chopped green onions.
If desired, add in your choice of meat. As written, this recipe is vegetarian.
What is Lo Mein?
Lo Mein is a popular Chinese recipe! The name “lo mein” means “tossed noodles” in Cantonese.
This dish is made with stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and usually protein.
The sauce is bold, hearty, and savory.
It is a popular choice because it is quick to prepare. It is an easy way to eat more healthy vegetables.
Chow Mein Versus Lo Mein
Chow mein and lo mein are both popular Chinese dishes. They are similar but have some differences.
First of all, the noodles are different. Lo Mein uses soft noodles. They are boiled and then stir-fried. Chow Mein uses crispy pan-fried noodles.
Chow mein has crispy noodles stir-fried at high heat. The veggies, meat, and sauce are all stir-fried together with the noodles. On the other hand, Lo Mein has the ingredients cooked separately and then combined.
The overall texture is different. Chow is more crispy, while lo is more tender.
Another key difference is the sauce. Chow Mein has a thicker and more robust sauce. In contrast, Lo Mein has a lighter sauce typically.
Both chow mein and lo mein are popular takeout dishes! They are both quick and easy to prepare. Both recipes feature noodles, veggies, and sauce. Their key differences are related to texture and flavor.
Taste & Texture
Lo Mein is known for its bold flavors. The fresh veggies add a pop of flavor and freshness. In addition, the savory sauce brings an umami taste. Overall, this dish is filled with big flavors.
The textures are varying. The noodles are soft and slightly chewy. The veggies have a slight bite to them. Moreover, the sauce is smooth and flavorful.
This dish is filled with contrasting flavors and textures!
How to Make
Step 1
First, cook the Lo Mein noodles according to the package instructions. Then, drain and set aside.
Step 2
In a large wok or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Step 3
Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4
Add the sliced onion, julienned carrot, and bell pepper to the wok. Stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
Step 5
Add the sliced mushrooms, shredded cabbage, and bean sprouts to the wok. Stir fry for 2 to 3 more minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Step 6
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
Step 7
Push the vegetables to one side of the wok and pour the sauce mixture into the cleared space. Let it heat for a few seconds until it starts to bubble.
Step 8
Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the wok and toss everything together with tongs or chopsticks. Ensure the noodles and vegetables are coated evenly with the sauce.
Step 9
Stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are heated through.
Step 10
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 11
Fianlly, remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions.
Expert Tips for Success
Do not overcook the noodles. Cook until al dente. They should be able to hold up their shape while stir-frying.
Prepare the chopped vegetables before you start cooking. This makes the recipe quicker and easier.
Thinly slice the vegetables. This ensures that they cook through.
Cook the vegetables in oil over medium-high heat. This gives them a crispy sear. The added texture prevents them from becoming soggy.
Toss the vegetables and noodles in the sauce.
Taste as you cook. Adjust seasonings and flavors as needed.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
This Lo Mein recipe can be tweaked as needed.
Add in some steak to make steak Lo Mein.
Use shrimp to make shrimp Lo Mein.
Add in some beef to make beef Lo Mein.
Switch up the vegetables. Bok choy is another great option!
Make chicken Lo Mein with leftover rotisserie chicken, roasted chicken, or grilled chicken.
How to Serve & Store
Serve Lo Mein hot and fresh! It is best served immediately.
Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, add some broth or water to the leftovers. Stir fry in a hot pan or wok until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These Chinese dishes are very similar! Their differences are related mostly to flavor, texture, and the noodles.
It is made of noodles, vegetables, protein, and sauce.
Lo mein noodles are usually labeled egg noodles. They are yellow.
No, they are not naturally gluten-free. Use brown rice noodles for gluten-free.
These noodles are sold at most grocery stores in the Aisle aisle and markets.
Equipment Needed
Wok: This wok is great for stir-fry.
Sharp Knives: Use sharp knives to prepare the vegetables.
You May Also Enjoy
- Asian Coleslaw
- Slow Cooker Asian Short Ribs
- Wild Fried Rice
- Vietnamese Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Easy Fried Rice Recipe
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Lo Mein
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Lo Mein noodles (or brown rice spaghetti)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 medium carrot (julienned)
- 1 medium bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- chopped green onions (to garnish)
Instructions
- First, cook the Lo Mein noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large wok or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the sliced onion, julienned carrot, and bell pepper to the wok. Stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add the sliced mushrooms, shredded cabbage, and bean sprouts to the wok. Stir fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
- Push the vegetables to one side of the wok and pour the sauce mixture into the cleared space. Let it heat for a few seconds until it starts to bubble.
- Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the wok and toss everything together with tongs or chopsticks. Ensure the noodles and vegetables are coated evenly with the sauce.
- Stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are heated through.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- These brown rice noodles are great for real whole foods!
- Cook the noodles until al dente. This allows them to hold their shape while stir-frying.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles. The ones linked above are naturally gluten-free.
- Slice the veggies before you start cooking. Lo Mein is meant to be cooked quickly. Having the veggies ready will make this process much easier.
- Thinly slice the vegetables. This ensures that they cook through.
- To prevent soggy vegetables, cook them over medium-high heat. This will sear them beautifully.
- Fully toss the vegetables and noodles in the sauce.
- Double check labels for added sugars.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Enjoy this recipe!
Wow this was so good had to make it right away. Can’t wait for the next dinner recipe! Our family has loved 100 days blog for years !!! So great!
Way better than takeout! My family loved this!