Beef Lo Mein

When I have a variety of vegetables in my fridge and don’t know what to cook for dinner, my mind immediately defaults to stir-fry. After all, you can’t really go wrong with the combination of vegetables, noodles and tasty marinated meat. And when you’re not sure how to stir-fry or just need a refresher, this recipe for beef lo mein is just the thing you need. You whisk together a simple sweet-and-spicy sauce, let the beef marinate while you cook noodles, then stir-fry the beef and vegetables before tossing everything together. Dinner will be on the table in less than 30 minutes—unbeatable timing for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients for Beef Lo Mein

• Hoisin sauce: Hoisin is used as the base for both the marinade and stir-fry sauce used in this recipe.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds salty and umami taste to this stir-fry that pairs well with the flavors in the marinade.
• Sesame oil: This fragrant oil works in contrast to the soy sauce, and gives this stir-fry an elegant finish.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic is the main the aromatic in this beef lo mein recipe. You can add more if you’re a fan, or decrease the amount if you’re not.
• Crushed red pepper: Crushed red pepper gives this beef lo mein a small kick that really accentuates all of the flavors.
• Steak: Choose a beef-top round steak that is thinly sliced, or something you can slice yourself.
• Spaghetti: Instead of lo main noodles, this recipe simplifies things by using spaghetti.
• Canola oil: Canola oil is used to stir-fry the beef and vegetables. You can use another neutral cooking oil that you have on hand, like vegetable or sunflower oil.
• Water chestnuts: You can easily buy water chestnuts in a can; they come pre-sliced.
• Green onions: Green onions work as a garnish, adding aromatic flavor.
• Spinach: This recipe uses up a whole bag of spinach!
• Red chili pepper: Fresh red chili gives this beef lo mein even more of a kick.

Directions

Step 1: Marinate the beef

In a small bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, water, sesame oil, garlic cloves and crushed red pepper. Transfer 1/4 cup of the marinade to a large bowl, then add the thinly-sliced beef and toss to coat. Marinate the beef at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the pasta and beef

Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet or wok, heat 1-1/2 teaspoons of canola oil. Add half the beef mixture and stir-fry it for one to two minutes or until it’s no longer pink. Remove the beef from the pan. Repeat the process with an additional 1-1/2 teaspoons of oil and the remaining beef mixture.

Step 3: Stir-fry the vegetables

Stir-fry the water chestnuts and green onions in the remaining canola oil in the skillet for 30 seconds. Stir in the spinach and the remaining hoisin mixture, cooking the spinach until it has wilted. Return the cooked beef to the pan and heat it through.

Step 4: Toss with noodles

Drain the spaghetti and add it to the skillet with the beef mixture, tossing everything together. Sprinkle the stir-fry with chili pepper, then serve.

Recipe Variations

• Use lo mein noodles: For an even more authentic experience, use lo mein egg noodles or Cantonese egg noodles for your beef lo mein. Ramen noodles can also work for this beef lo mein recipe, if that’s what you have on hand.
• Use different vegetables: Feel free to get creative with the vegetables you add to your stir-fry! Some of our favorites include Chinese broccoli, shredded carrots, snow peas, and thinly sliced peppers and onions.
• Make it spicy: Give your lo mein a kick by adding a dollop of sambal (spicy chili sauce) to your lo mein when you toss everything together at the end.

How to Store Beef Lo Mein

This beef lo mein will last for up to four days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How do you reheat beef lo mein?

While it’s possible to reheat beef lo mein in the microwave (one minute at a time, stirring the noodles between each), but for the best results, toss it on the stove in a skillet or wok for a couple minutes to reheat lo mein without drying out the beef. Adding a tablespoon of liquid (either water or soy sauce) will help to loosen the noodles and rehydrate them so you get the texture you want.

Beef Lo Mein Tips

How do you make stir-fry taste like a restaurant?

When trying to match the flavors of a restaurant stir-fry, it’s all about the aromatics and the spices! Be generous with your minced garlic, green onions, chiles and spices in this beef lo mein. You can also add in some freshly grated ginger to really elevate the flavor.

What gives lo mein its smoky flavor?

That slight smoky flavor you get with good Chinese food comes from a phenomenon called wok hei, which occurs when the flavors of your ingredients (including the sugars, the amino acids, and the oil) hit the hot pan and develop a caramelized, smoky flavor. For this particular finish, you’ll want to invest in a wok for your kitchen.

Which noodles are best for lo mein?

While our recipe uses spaghetti, the truly best (and most authentic) noodle for a beef lo mein stir-fry is the egg noodle.