Quick-cooking, amendable to no matter greens are lurking in your fridge, and extremely family-friendly, this straightforward Beef Lo Mein is dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow… assuming you don’t polish all of it off in a single sitting anyway!.
Why You’ll Love This Takeout-Model Recipe
- It’s Fast and Easy. Preserve a number of staples like garlic and soy sauce available, together with immediate flavor-makers like hoisin (the tough equal of Asian barbecue sauce) and sesame oil, and a nutritious dinner (like this Vegetable Lo Mein) isn’t greater than half-hour away, fewer in case you use frozen greens.
- Everybody Will Take pleasure in It. Wholesome stir fry recipes make an look at the very least as soon as every week round these elements. Partly as a result of they’re nutritious and simple, however largely as a result of they’re extremely scrumptious and crowd-pleasing.
- It’s Straightforward on Your Pockets. This recipe (and Tofu Stir Fry) is inexpensive to make. Beef lo mein is made of easy, nutritious substances. Because of noodles, the meat (and thus your greenback) goes a good distance on this recipe.
- It’s Versatile. Lo mein is manufactured from noodles, a protein (normally beef or hen), greens, and a candy and savory sauce. The recipe here’s a place to begin. Be at liberty to swap in different greens you may have available, season to style, and serve with any of your favourite sides.
What’s the Distinction Between Beef Chow Mein and Beef Lo Mein?
These are two fashionable Chinese language takeout entrees which might be comparable in taste and substances, however the preparation of the noodles differs.
- Chow mein means “fried noodles.” The noodles are cooked, then pan fried earlier than including the opposite substances. (This Hen Chow Mein is a good recipe.)
- Lo mein means “tossed noodles.” You cook dinner the noodles, then stir them into the stir fried meat and greens.
For the reason that noodles on this recipe are tossed in on the finish, that makes it beef lo mein. (Wow your folks with this one!)
Whether or not chow mein or lo mein is healthier is solely as much as you!
Tips on how to Make Beef Lo Mein
The Components
- Beef. Right this moment’s lo mein protein of selection. Beef presents protein, iron, and several other important nutritional vitamins reminiscent of B6 and B12. It’s regarded to be wholesome moderately.
- Noodles. Saucy, slippery noodles are a pure delight! For a wholesome spin, I want to make use of complete grain noodles, that are larger in fiber and vitamins (I exploit this trick in my Stir Fry Noodles too).
- Garlic + Ginger + Soy Sauce. The stir fry Huge Three.
- Hoisin. This candy/savory/umami sauce is almost all it’s worthwhile to make fabulously flavored stir fries. I all the time have a jar of it available.
Tip!
Hoisin is extensively out there at nearly any main grocery retailer. Search for it within the Asian or worldwide meals aisle. Or, use it as a motive to go to your native Asian market.
- Greens. My favourite mixture of greens for stir fries is broccoli, bell pepper, and carrots for the array of colours and vitamins. Snow peas are additionally scrumptious. That mentioned, you may make stir fry with nearly any veggie you may have round.
- Water Chestnuts. Whereas non-obligatory, I’ve been smitten with their crunch since I used to be in highschool ordering Mongolian beef lo mein with my hard-earned {dollars} at lunch.
- Toasted Sesame Oil. Whereas non-obligatory, this provides knowledgeable, completed style to the lo mein. It’s intensely nutty, savory, and makes the lo mein all of the tougher to cease consuming.
The Instructions
- Prep the Beef. Slice it and coat it within the baking soda combination.
- Cook dinner the Noodles. Cook dinner simply till they’re al dente.
- Stir the Sauce Collectively. A liquid measuring cup works effectively for this.
- Cook dinner the Beef With Sauce. Take away it whereas it’s nonetheless a little bit pink inside.
- Cook dinner the Greens. We would like them to be crisp-tender.
- Mix. Add all of the substances again to the pan, stirring to warmth and coat within the sauce. ENJOY!
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Refrigerate leftover beef lo mein in an hermetic container for 4 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low warmth or gently within the microwave. Splash a little bit water or broth onto the noodles to maintain them from drying out.
- To Freeze. You’ll be able to freeze beef lo mein. Freeze in an hermetic, freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge.
What to Serve With Beef Lo Mein
- Solid Iron Skillet. If you happen to want a big skillet over a wok, this 12-inch Staub with enamel backside is second to none!
- Knife Set. This 10-piece Zwilling set stays sharper longer than anticipated.
- Pasta Strainer. A 5-quart colander with massive handles is ideal for noodles for the entire household.
Recipe Ideas and Tips
- Slice the Beef Towards the Grain. This helps tenderize its fibers.
- Don’t Overcook the Beef. Tender, flavorful beef is the purpose right here, so be sure you don’t overdo it. When overcooked, beef can grow to be powerful and dry.
- Use the Veggies You Have. Raid the fridge or purchase your favorites! Be at liberty to swap within the greens your loved ones enjoys most. Stir fries are additionally an excellent place to make use of greens which might be previous their prime.
- Don’t Skip the Water Chestnuts. Whereas they aren’t a crucial element on this straightforward beef lo mein recipe per se, they add a tasty crunch that I believe makes it additional tasty. Even in case you don’t sometimes buy them, I urge you to provide them a strive.
- 1 pound sirloin prime spherical steak, or flank steak
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 tablespoons water divided
- 6 ounces lengthy noodles reminiscent of complete grain spaghetti or complete grain fettuccine, soba noodles, or udon noodles
- 1/4 cup lowered sodium soy sauce plus extra to style
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 4 cloves garlic minced or grated (about 1 heaping tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped contemporary ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed pink pepper flakes plus extra to style
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or peanut or grapeseed oil
- 2 medium carrots peeled and minimize into skinny cash
- 1 head broccoli minimize into small florets (about 3 cups), or 3 cups thinly sliced cabbage
- 1 pink bell pepper cored and thinly sliced
- 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts drained
- 4 inexperienced onions thinly sliced divided
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil non-obligatory
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For simpler slicing, place the meat within the freezer for quarter-hour to agency up. Reduce the meat throughout the grain into very skinny (1/4-inch or smaller) slices. Reduce any lengthy slices in half crosswise (every strip must be round 3 inches or so lengthy).
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Place the meat in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, stir collectively the baking soda and a couple of tablespoons of the water. Pour over the meat and toss to coat. Let sit 5 minutes (this helps to tenderize it).
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In the meantime, in a big pot of salted water, cook dinner the noodles simply till al dente. Drain and rinse underneath cool water. Put aside.
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In a small bowl or bigger liquid measuring cup, stir collectively the soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and pink pepper flakes. Preserve helpful close to the range.
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In a wok or massive, nonstick skillet, warmth the oil over medium excessive. Add the meat and cook dinner till crisp on the skin however nonetheless pink on the within, about 3 minutes. The meat will give off liquid, which is ok. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the sauce and let cook dinner 30 seconds. With a big spoon, scoop the meat onto a plate (any cooking juices left behind will cook dinner away).
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Add the carrots, broccoli, and bell pepper. Cook dinner till crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir within the remaining 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of water and let the greens steam till the broccoli turns vibrant inexperienced and a lot of the liquid has cooked away, about 2 minutes extra.
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Stir within the water chestnuts, half of the inexperienced onions, and a couple of tablespoons of the soy sauce combination and let cook dinner 30 extra seconds.
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Cut back the warmth to medium. Add the noodles and beef and pour the remaining soy sauce combination excessive. With tongs, stir and toss till the noodles are heated via.
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Drizzle the sesame oil excessive (if utilizing) and sprinkle on the remaining inexperienced onion. Toss to mix. Take pleasure in!
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover beef lo mein in an hermetic container for 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low warmth or gently within the microwave. Splash a little bit water or broth onto the nooldes to maintain them from drying out.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze in an hermetic freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge.
Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 36gFats: 12gSaturated Fats: 3gPolyunsaturated Fats: 3gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 70mgPotassium: 1029mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 6647IUVitamin C: 105mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 5mg
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Regularly Requested Questions
An genuine beef lo mein recipe would name for Chinese language egg noodles, that are made with wheat flour and eggs. Nonetheless, any lengthy noodles you may have entry to will do properly. Soba noodles (a Japanese noodle manufactured from buckwheat), complete grain spaghetti noodles, or complete grain fettuccine noodles all work effectively.
Whereas you should use frozen greens for this recipe in a pinch, I believe contemporary greens are likely to have a greater taste and texture.
You probably have hassle holding contemporary greens available, strive selecting ones with a protracted shelf life, reminiscent of cabbage. Beef and cabbage lo mein is scrumptious (see this Cabbage Stir Fry for prep ideas.)
If you wish to flip up the warmth a bit, add additional pink pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
Certain! If you happen to’d like your lo mein to have two kinds of protein, you may add one other meat, seafood, or vegetarian possibility. I believe shrimp, salmon, or tofu could be particularly tasty with the meat.
Associated Recipes
Stir fries and different Asian specialties are scrumptious and filled with dietary worth. Listed below are a few of my favorites:
