Beef Lo Mein

Indulge in the rich flavors of Beef Lo Mein, a delightful Asian takeout-out style dish featuring tender slices of beef, crisp broccoli, and savory lo mein noodles smothered in a tantalizing sauce. It’s the perfect easy weeknight meal that comes together in one pan in around 30 minutes!

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Updated July 2023

Easy Beef Lo Mein

Indulge your taste buds in the exotic flavors with this delectable Beef Lo Mein recipe. This classic Asian-inspired dish features tender slices of beef, crisp broccoli, and savory noodles, tossed with a mouthwatering savory sauce. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, be prepared to have your taste buds whisked away to the vibrant streets of Asia in the comfort of your own home.

Not only is this healthier than take-out lo mein recipe bursting with flavor, but it’s also customizable to fit your dietary preferences. It is sure to impress your dinner guests or satisfy anyone craving an authentic tasting Chinese take-out style dish.

Recipe Ingredients

For the stir-fried noodles

• Lo Mein Noodles: At the heart of our dish lies the noodles, providing that satisfying chewiness that complements the tender beef and vegetables. Fresh lo mein noodles or dry egg noodles will work. For those with dietary preferences, feel free to explore grain-free options such as Jovial Cassava Spaghetti Noodles, shirataki noodles, konjac noodles or hearts of palm noodles.
• Flank Steak or Sirloin: Thinly sliced against the grain, the beef is the star of this show, infusing the dish with rich and savory flavors. Trim off any excess fat for a leaner and more succulent result.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Seasoning the beef with salt and black pepper enhances its natural taste and prepares it for the cooking process.
• Tapioca Starch: Coating the beef with tapioca starch (or arrowroot starch or cornstarch) helps retain its moisture and results in a delightful velvety texture.
• Cooking Oil: For a tantalizing stir-fry, we’ll need cooking oil to cook the beef and vegetables. Use your preferred oil, such as vegetable oil, peanut oil, or sesame oil.
• Broccoli Florets: These vibrant green florets bring a fresh and nutritious element to the dish, elevating it to a wholesome meal.
• Fresh Ginger and Garlic: To infuse the Beef Lo Mein with an aromatic punch, we’ll use fresh ginger and garlic, adding depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

For the Flavorful Sauce:

• Coconut Aminos: Our base for the savory sauce, coconut aminos offers a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, without compromising on taste. Gluten-free tamari or low sodium soy sauce work too.
• Oyster Flavored Sauce: For that extra burst of umami, we’ll include oyster flavored sauce. You can also opt for a vegan oyster flavored sauce, such as Naked Natural Foods’ Organic Vegan Oyster Sauce.
• Rice Wine, Mirin, or Dry Sherry: This ingredient adds a delightful tanginess to the sauce, balancing out the flavors.
• Honey or Coconut Sugar: A touch of sweetness perfectly complements the savory notes. For a lower sugar option, try maple syrup or a brown sugar substitute.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: Just a hint of toasted sesame oil imparts a nutty aroma, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Tapioca Starch (again): To thicken the sauce and create a luscious glaze, we’ll use tapioca starch (or arrowroot starch or cornstarch).
• Water: To achieve the perfect sauce consistency, we’ll add water, adjusting as needed to reach the desired thickness.
• Fish Sauce (optional): For those who enjoy an extra umami kick, fish sauce is a fantastic addition. If you’re not a fan of fish sauce, you can try a vegan fish sauce alternative like Ocean’s Halo.
• Thai Chili Garlic Paste, Red Pepper Chili Flakes, or Sriracha Sauce (optional): For spice enthusiasts, these options will add a fiery kick to the dish. Adjust according to your preference.

Instructions: How to make Beef Lo Mein

1. Prepare the noodles: If using dry noodles, prepare noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside. While the noodles are cooking, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce.
2. Heat the wok: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat, for about 2 minutes. The pan needs to be hot enough that you start seeing a little bit of smoke rising.
3. Sear the beef: Quickly add the beef to the smoking pan and spread the pieces out to a single layer allowing them to sear and brown. Season with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Cook until the meat is no longer pink (about 30 seconds making sure not to over cook). Quickly transfer beef to a serving plate and set aide.
4. Stir-fry the remaining ingredients: Add the same pan back to the stove and turn the heat to medium-high heat. Add the remaining oil and let it heat up then toss in the broccoli and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Add ginger and garlic, stirring for another 30 seconds until fragrant then add the seared beef back to the pan. Pour in sauce and stir until the sauce boils and thickens – about 30 seconds. Add more water if needed to thin out the sauce. Quickly stir in the fresh or cooked noodles and toss everything together to coat well. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions or parsley over top and serve hot.
6. For meal prep: Divide noodles into four containers and store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Tips for Success:

• Prep Ahead: To save time on busy days, consider preparing the sauce and slicing the beef and vegetables in advance. This way, you can effortlessly whip up Beef Lo Mein whenever you’re ready.
• Perfectly Cooked Noodles: Whether you’re using dried or fresh noodles, follow the package instructions for cooking to ensure they turn out perfectly tender and not overcooked.
• Hot Pan, Quick Cook: For that mouthwatering sear on the beef, ensure your skillet or wok is smoking hot before adding the meat. This ensures quick cooking, preserving the beef’s tenderness.

Variations and Substitutions:

Feel free to unleash your culinary creativity and personalize this Beef Lo Mein recipe:

• Protein: Experiment with alternative proteins for a different twist on the classic dish. Add chicken for this chicken lo mein. For a meatless options try shrimp, or add crispy tofu like this vegetable lo mein
• Vegetables: In addition to broccoli, consider adding bell peppers, snow peas, carrots, or any other colorful vegetables you enjoy.
• Gluten-Free Option: For a gluten-free version, substitute coconut aminos with gluten-free tamari or low sodium soy sauce.

Serving Suggestions:

While Beef Lo Mein is a scrumptious standalone dish, you can elevate the experience by pairing it with steamed jasmine rice or serving it alongside delightful vegetable spring rolls.

Storage and Freezer Instructions:

For meal prepping or saving leftovers, divide the Beef Lo Mein into lunch containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days.

To freeze, transfer the cooled dish into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags, where it can be stored for up to three months. Remember to thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Asian noodle recipes you will love:

Chicken Stir Fry Noodles

Slow Cooker Lo Mein Noodles

4.15 from 34 votes

Print

Beef Lo Mein

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Indulge in the rich flavors of Beef Lo Mein, a delightful Asian takeout-out style dish featuring tender slices of beef, crisp broccoli, and savory lo mein noodles smothered in a tantalizing sauce. It's the perfect easy weeknight meal that comes together in one pan in around 30 minutes!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: beef lo mein recipe, easy asian dinner recipes, easy weeknight dinner

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 435 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 6-7 ounces dried lo mein noodles , or 2 1/2 cups fresh lo mein (*can also use egg noodles, dry spaghetti, angel hair or linguine noodles). For a grain-free option , you can use Jovial cassava flour spaghetti noodles, shirataki noodles, konjac noodles, hearts of palm noodles or preferred low carb noodles of choice.
• 8 ounces (about 1/2 lb) flank steak or sirloin , trimmed of fat, very thinly sliced against the grain
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp tapioca starch , can also sub with arrowroot starch or cornstarch
• 4-5 tbsp cooking oil , divided
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tsp fresh minced or grated ginger
• 2 garlic cloves minced

For the Sauce:

• 1/3 cup coconut aminos , can also sub with gluten-free tamari or low sodium soy sauce if not gluten-free
• 3 tbsp oyster flavored sauce , you can use Vegan Oyster Flavored Sauce such as Naked Natural Foods that is also paleo or you can leave it out if allergic. Another option is to use more soy sauce or hoisin sauce can be used but the flavor won't be quite the same since Hoisin sauce is sweeter
• 1 tbsp rice wine Mirin or dry sherry
• 2 tsp honey or coconut sugar , you can also sub with preferred sticky liquid sweetener such as maple syrup or brown sugar substitute of choice for a lower sugar option
• 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbs corn starch
• 2/3 cup water plus more as needed to thin out sauce
• 1 tsp fish sauce optional but if you already have it in your pantry, give it a try - it adds that extra rich umami flavor. For a vegan fish sauce, you can try Ocean's Halo.
• 1-2 tsp Thai chili garlic paste , red pepper chili flakes, Sriracha sauce or preferred hot sauce - optional or to taste

For Meal Prep:

• Lunch containers

Instructions

1. If using dry noodles, prepare noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside. While the noodles are cooking, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce.
2. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat, for about 2 minutes. The pan needs to be hot enough that you start seeing a little bit of smoke rising.
3. Quickly add the beef to the smoking pan and spread the pieces out to a single layer allowing them to sear and brown. Season with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch.
4. Cook until the meat is no longer pink (about 30 seconds making sure not to over cook). Quickly transfer beef to a serving plate and set aide.

5. Add the same pan back to the stove and turn the heat to medium-high heat. Add the remaining oil and let it heat up then toss in the broccoli and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Add ginger and garlic, stirring for another 30 seconds until fragrant then add the seared beef back to the pan. Pour in sauce and stir until the sauce boils and thickens - about 30 seconds. Add more water if needed to thin out the sauce. Quickly stir in the fresh or cooked noodles and toss everything together to coat well. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.

   Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions or parsley over top and serve hot.

6. For meal prep: Divide noodles into four containers and store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition Facts

Beef Lo Mein

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 435 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 19g38%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on July 20, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation.