Beef Lo Mein is a beloved Chinese dish, featuring tender slices of beef, crisp vegetables, and savory lo mein noodles all tossed together in a delicious sauce. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a satisfying meal that can be whipped up quickly, making it perfect for weeknights or when you want a homemade takeout experience.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 pound beef flank steak, thinly sliced: Flank steak is ideal for stir-fries, as it cooks quickly and remains tender when sliced thin.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: For marinating the beef and adding umami flavor.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Helps tenderize the beef and gives it a silky texture.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the soy sauce.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: For stir-frying the beef and vegetables.
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles: These egg noodles are key to the dish. If you can’t find lo mein noodles, you can substitute with spaghetti or another thin noodle.
- 1 cup chopped onion: Adds flavor and a bit of crunch.
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper: Provides a fresh, sweet note.
- 1 cup chopped carrots: Adds color and natural sweetness to the dish.
- 1/2 cup chopped celery: For additional crunch and flavor.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce: Used in the sauce for a deep, savory flavor.
- 1/4 cup beef broth: Enhances the beefy flavor and helps form the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil: Adds a fragrant, nutty aroma and finishes the dish beautifully.
Instructions
1. Marinate the Beef
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Toss everything together, ensuring the beef is well coated. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This will tenderize the beef and infuse it with flavor.
2. Stir-Fry the Beef
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated beef slices. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the beef is browned on all sides but still tender. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the Noodles
Prepare the 8 ounces of lo mein noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set the noodles aside. You can lightly toss them with a bit of oil to prevent sticking while you finish the rest of the dish.
4. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet or wok, add a bit more oil if necessary, and stir in the chopped onion, green bell pepper, carrots, and celery. Cook the vegetables for about 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they soften but still retain some crispness.
5. Prepare the Sauce
Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup beef broth, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and the flavors to blend.
6. Combine Everything
Return the browned beef and cooked noodles to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together to coat the beef, noodles, and vegetables in the flavorful sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
7. Serve
Transfer the Beef Lo Mein to plates or a large serving bowl, and serve hot. Optionally, you can garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.
Tips for the Best Beef Lo Mein
- Slice the beef thinly: Cutting the beef against the grain into thin slices helps ensure it’s tender and cooks quickly.
- Don’t overcook the vegetables: You want the vegetables to retain a slight crunch for texture contrast, so be mindful not to cook them too long.
- Substitute vegetables: Feel free to add or swap out vegetables according to your preference. Broccoli, snap peas, and mushrooms would also work well in this dish.
- Use fresh lo mein noodles if available: Fresh noodles add a wonderful texture and can often be found in the refrigerated section of Asian grocery stores.
- Make it spicy: Add a dash of Sriracha or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat if you prefer a spicier dish.
Serving Suggestions
Beef Lo Mein is a complete meal on its own but pairs beautifully with some classic sides, including:
- Egg rolls or spring rolls: Add a crispy appetizer to start the meal.
- Steamed or fried dumplings: A perfect addition for a full feast.
- Hot and sour soup: A light and tangy soup would complement the rich flavors of the lo mein.
Storage & Leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers: Store any leftover Beef Lo Mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm it up in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to refresh the noodles and sauce. You can also reheat it in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
- Freezing: While this dish can be frozen, note that the noodles may soften more upon thawing. Store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
This classic Beef Lo Mein recipe is quick, satisfying, and packed with flavors that will remind you of your favorite takeout! With tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and savory noodles, it’s sure to become a go-to dish in your weeknight meal rotation. Enjoy!
Recipe Card
Beef Lo Mein: A Flavorful Stir-Fry Classic
Ingredients
- – **1 pound beef flank steak thinly sliced**: Flank steak is ideal for stir-fries, as it cooks quickly and remains tender when sliced thin.
- – **1 tablespoon soy sauce**: For marinating the beef and adding umami flavor.
- – **1 tablespoon cornstarch**: Helps tenderize the beef and gives it a silky texture.
- – **1 tablespoon brown sugar**: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the soy sauce.
- – **1 tablespoon vegetable oil**: For stir-frying the beef and vegetables.
- – **8 ounces lo mein noodles**: These egg noodles are key to the dish. If you can’t find lo mein noodles you can substitute with spaghetti or another thin noodle.
- – **1 cup chopped onion**: Adds flavor and a bit of crunch.
- – **1 cup chopped green bell pepper**: Provides a fresh sweet note.
- – **1 cup chopped carrots**: Adds color and natural sweetness to the dish.
- – **1/2 cup chopped celery**: For additional crunch and flavor.
- – **1/4 cup soy sauce**: Used in the sauce for a deep savory flavor.
- – **1/4 cup beef broth**: Enhances the beefy flavor and helps form the sauce.
- – **1 teaspoon sesame oil**: Adds a fragrant nutty aroma and finishes the dish beautifully.
Instructions
1. Marinate the Beef
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with **1 tablespoon soy sauce**, **1 tablespoon cornstarch**, and **1 tablespoon brown sugar**. Toss everything together, ensuring the beef is well coated. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This will tenderize the beef and infuse it with flavor.
2. Stir-Fry the Beef
- Heat **1 tablespoon of vegetable oil** in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated beef slices. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the beef is browned on all sides but still tender. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the Noodles
- Prepare the **8 ounces of lo mein noodles** according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set the noodles aside. You can lightly toss them with a bit of oil to prevent sticking while you finish the rest of the dish.
4. Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same skillet or wok, add a bit more oil if necessary, and stir in the **chopped onion**, **green bell pepper**, **carrots**, and **celery**. Cook the vegetables for about 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they soften but still retain some crispness.
5. Prepare the Sauce
- Stir in the remaining **1/4 cup soy sauce**, **1/4 cup beef broth**, and **1 teaspoon sesame oil**. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and the flavors to blend.
6. Combine Everything
- Return the browned beef and cooked noodles to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together to coat the beef, noodles, and vegetables in the flavorful sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
7. Serve
- Transfer the **Beef Lo Mein** to plates or a large serving bowl, and serve hot. Optionally, you can garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.