Beef Chow Mein
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Experience the perfect blend of textures and tastes in my Beef Chow Mein, where juicy beef, crisp vegetables, and noodles come together in a sumptuous, flavor-packed sauce for a truly satisfying meal.
Quick & Easy Beef Chow Mein
I always get excited about sharing recipes like this Beef Chow Mein because it’s such a crowd-pleaser in my house. It’s all about the tender beef meeting the crunch of fresh veggies, wrapped up in those gloriously seasoned noodles – it’s like a hug in a bowl.
This dish not only promises a delicious dinner but it’s quick and easy to make – and trust me, it delivers every single time!
Pro Tip
Focus on the beef – make sure it’s thinly sliced against the grain. This isn’t just about getting tender pieces of meat; it’s about ensuring each slice is perfectly cooked and soaks up the flavors of the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: It’s crucial for that umami flavor. I always recommend to go for a low sodium soy sauce, especially if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Oyster Sauce and Hoisin Sauce: They add sweetness and depth. If you’re out, try a mix of soy sauce and a little sugar.
- Shaoxing Wine: This adds a rich, authentic flavor. Dry sherry is a common substitute.
- Sesame Oil: For a nutty finishing touch. If you don’t have it, it’s okay to skip, but it does add a unique flavor.
- Sugar: Just a bit to balance the flavors. Honey can work too.
- Chow Mein Noodles: If you can’t find them, spaghetti or yakisoba noodles are good substitutes.
- Beef Sirloin or Flank Steak: Chicken or tofu can work well too if you’re looking for an alternative.
- Vegetable Oil: Canola or peanut oil are great alternatives.
- Garlic and Ginger: These aromatics add depth and a burst of flavor. Fresh is always best.
- Onion, Carrot, Cabbage, and Bell Pepper: Feel free to toss in any other veggies you like or have on hand.
- Green Onions: You can substitute with some chives, if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: Adjust to taste.
- Sesame Seeds for Garnish: Totally optional, but they do give a nice little crunch.
Start off by cooking the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions until they’re al dente, then drain. Give them a quick rinse under cold water – this stops the cooking and keeps them from sticking.
Now, let’s make that delicious sauce. Grab a small bowl and combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir it all together until well mixed. Next, take your beef slices and toss them in a bowl with some soy sauce. Let them sit and marinate for a bit – about 5-10 minutes should do. This little wait helps the beef absorb all those yummy flavors.
Heat up some vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet. Once it’s hot, stir-fry your marinated beef. You’ll want to cook it until it’s nicely browned and just cooked through. After that, take it out of the wok and set it aside.
In the same wok, add a bit more oil and toss in the garlic and ginger. Give them a moment to become fragrant. Then, add in the onion, carrots, cabbage, and bell pepper. Stir-fry them until they’re tender yet still have a bit of crunch.
Now, the fun part! Add the cooked beef back into the wok with your veggies. Throw in the cooked noodles and pour that tasty sauce you made over everything. Toss it all together and cook it on high heat until the noodles have soaked up all the sauce.
Finally, stir in the green onions, and give it another minute to all come together. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the top for garnish.
How To Serve
I love to pair this with some other dishes to make it extra special. Here are some of my favorite go-to options that complement it beautifully:
Egg Drop Soup
Fresh Spring Rolls
Wonton Soup
Thai Cucumber Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef in this recipe?
Absolutely! While beef is traditional for chow mein, you can easily substitute it with chicken, pork, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, especially for chicken and pork to ensure they are fully cooked.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this Beef Chow Mein gluten-free, you’ll need to use gluten-free soy sauce and chow mein noodles. Also, double-check that your hoisin and oyster sauces are gluten-free as well, as these can sometimes contain gluten.
Can I prepare any part of this dish in advance?
Yes, you can! You can chop all your veggies and even marinate the beef ahead of time. This will make the cooking process much quicker and easier. Just keep everything refrigerated until you’re ready to cook.
Expert Tips
- Slice the Beef Thinly: For tender bites, slice your beef as thin as possible. This helps it cook quickly and evenly, soaking up the flavors better.
- Use High Heat for Stir-Frying: Crank up the heat when stir-frying. High heat cooks the ingredients fast, retaining their texture and flavor.
- Prep Ingredients Before Cooking: Have all your ingredients chopped and sauces mixed before you start. Stir-frying is a fast process, and you won’t have time to chop as you go.
- Avoid Overcooking the Veggies: Keep the veggies crisp by cooking them just until they’re tender. Overcooked vegetables can become soggy and lose their vibrant color.
Storing Leftovers
To store this Beef Chow Mein, place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. While freezing is possible, I do not recommend it, as the noodles and vegetables can lose their texture. For the best experience, enjoy it fresh or from the fridge.
More Asian Recipes
- Chinese Chicken Curry
- Chop Suey
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Char Siu Pork (Chinese BBQ Pork)
- Asian Style Pepper Steak
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Beef Chow Mein
Video
Ingredients
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium, divided)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Beef Chow Mein
- 8 ounces chow mein noodles
- 1 pound beef sirloin (or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1 medium onion (sliced)
- 1 medium carrot (julienned)
- 1 cup cabbage (shredded)
- 1 medium bell pepper (sliced)
- 2 green onions (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- sesame seeds (for garnish)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions, cooking until al dente. Drain and set aside. If using chow mein noodles, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir well to create the sauce.
- Place the thinly sliced beef in a bowl and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, tossing to coat. Let it marinate for about 5-10 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry until browned and just cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- In the same wok, add the remaining vegetable oil. Sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add the sliced onion, carrots, cabbage, and bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry the vegetables for a few minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
- Return the cooked beef to the wok with the vegetables. Add the cooked noodles and the sauce. Toss everything together over high heat until the noodles are heated through and have absorbed the sauce.
- Stir in the green onions and cook for an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds over the top for garnish.
Notes
- Remember to slice your beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite veggies; this dish is versatile!
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a dash of chili sauce or flakes to the stir-fry.
- For gluten-free options, use gluten-free soy sauce and noodles.
- Make sure your wok or skillet is hot before adding ingredients for that perfect stir-fry sear.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
