I love to recreate some of my family’s favorite Chinese dishes at home including General Tso’s chicken, fried wontons and this easy and totally delicious lo mein. Whenever we order Chinese takeout, my family requests beef lo mein. I decided it was time to learn to make this classic recipe at home, and it’s actually quite easy to prepare! This lo mein works great as a main course and you can serve it alongside other Chinese dishes for a complete meal. When I am making a whole Chinese meal at home I typically start with appetizers like fried wontons and crab rangoon. I also like to have a chicken dish such as orange chicken or Mongolian chicken to go with the beef lo mein. Be sure to check out all my Asian food recipes and make your favorites!
Beef Lo Mein Ingredients
To make beef lo mein you will need flank steak, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil, egg noodles, onion, carrots, celery, cabbage, garlic, beef broth, hoisin sauce, green onions, salt and pepper. You can find hoisin sauce in the international foods aisle of most grocery stores.
How Do You Make Beef Lo Mein?
The first step is to make a simple marinade for thinly sliced flank steak. Let the meat sit in the marinade for at least 10 minutes, then transfer the steak to a hot pan, large skillet or wok. Cook the meat until browned, then remove the steak and place onions, carrots, celery and cabbage in the pan. Cook the veggies until they’re just softened. Add the noodles and steak to the pan and toss everything together. While the steak and veggies are cooking, in a separate bowl make the sauce by whisking together beef broth, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and cornstarch. Pour the sauce in the pan with the beef, noodles and veggies and bring the sauce to a simmer until thickened. Once the sauce thickens, add a sprinkling of green onions and enjoy!
Tips For The Perfect Dish
If you have an Asian supermarket nearby, you can find a wide selection of refrigerated noodles that are suitable for lo mein. Most grocery stores also carry a selection of fresh Asian noodles in the refrigerated produce area. If you can’t find egg noodles, you can also use fresh yakisoba noodles or a dried lo mein noodle. In a pinch, you can also use spaghetti or Japanese udon noodles. I typically use flank steak because it’s relative inexpensive and stays tender when cooked. Other good choices include sirloin or New York strip steak. You can use a variety of vegetables in your lo mein including bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli and bok choy. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. You can store beef lo mein leftovers in an airtight container in a fridge for up to 3 days.
Beef Lo Mein Variations
Spicy: If you prefer a spicy lo mein, you can add sriracha to the sauce. Sweet: Looking for more of a sweet and savory combination? Try adding 1/2 teaspoon of honey to the mix. Meat: You can slices of chicken breast in this dish for a chicken option. You can also add shrimp by adding them to the pan with the vegetables. Tofu: Diced pieces of extra firm tofu work well with these noodles. Toppings: You can sprinkle bean sprouts or sesame seeds on this dish for an elegant presentation. Flavor: You can change the flavor by adding some oyster sauce.
This lo mein recipe is a great way to enjoy a classic Chinese dish in the comfort of your own home!
Beef Lo Mein Video
