Beef Lo Mein
Tender beef slices and crisp vegetables tossed with slurp-worthy lo mein noodles in a rich, savory sauce. This classic Chinese-American takeout favorite is easy to make at home in under 30 minutes.
For 4 servings
6 steps. 15 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp (3 tsp) cornstarch, and the baking soda. Mix well and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, 2 tsp sesame oil, brown sugar, remaining 1 tsp cornstarch, and beef broth to create the sauce. Set aside.
- 2
Cook the lo mein noodles according to package instructions until al dente
- a.Drain well, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, and toss with a few drops of sesame oil to prevent them from sticking. Set aside.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until it shimmers. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until browned but still slightly pink inside. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- 4
Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the hot wok
- a.Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the broccoli florets and julienned carrots, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the sliced red bell pepper and snow peas, and continue to stir-fry for another 2 minutes until all vegetables are tender-crisp.
- 5
Return the cooked beef to the wok with the vegetables
- a.Add the cooked noodles. Give the sauce a quick stir to recombine and pour it over everything in the wok. Using tongs, toss everything together continuously for 1-2 minutes until the noodles, beef, and vegetables are well-coated in the sauce and heated through. Stir in the sliced green onions.
- 6
Step 6
- a.Serve the beef lo mein immediately, garnished with extra green onions if desired.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the most tender beef, slice it very thinly against the grain. Partially freezing the steak for 20-30 minutes makes it easier to slice.
- 2Don't overcook the noodles initially, as they will cook further in the wok. Rinsing them in cold water is a key step to prevent mushiness.
- 3Ensure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding ingredients. This gives the beef a great sear and keeps the vegetables crisp.
- 4Prepare all your ingredients (chopping veggies, mixing the sauce) before you start cooking. Stir-frying is a fast process!
- 5Feel free to swap the vegetables with others you have on hand, like mushrooms, baby corn, or bok choy.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace beef with 14 oz of cubed firm tofu or 1 lb of sliced shiitake mushrooms. Use a vegetarian oyster sauce or mushroom stir-fry sauce.
gluten freeGluten free
Use gluten-free spaghetti or rice noodles. Substitute tamari for soy sauce and ensure your oyster sauce is certified gluten-free.
high proteinHigh protein
Increase the flank steak to 1.5 lbs, or add 1 cup of shelled edamame along with the snow peas for an extra protein boost.
quickQuick
Use a bag of pre-cut stir-fry vegetable mix and pre-sliced beef from the butcher to significantly reduce preparation time.
