Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 10, 2022, Updated Feb 16, 2024

5 from 18 votes

6 Comments

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This vegetable lo mein recipe is better than takeout and easy to make in 15 minutes! Veggies and noodles are stir-fried in a delicious lo mein sauce for an easy and healthy dinner you’ll make on repeat.

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (2)

When I’m short on time and craving veggies (which is always), I whip up this vegetable lo mein recipe. It’s even better than takeout and is easy to make in 15 minutes!

Your favorite veggies are stir-fried with noodles and the most delicious lo mein sauce for a meal even skeptical kids love. Because they may scoff when I make plain old stir fry vegetables, but add noodles and viola – instant favorite.

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (3)

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: I included my favorite vegetable varieties in this recipe. You can substitute your favorites. Some suggestions include: zucchini, baby corn, fresh bean sprouts, water chestnuts, snap peas, etc.

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (4)
  • Stir fry noodles. My favorite are the already-cooked stir fry noodles (like these stir fry noodles). I find them at my local grocery store in the “Asian Foods” aisle (near the soy sauce, etc.). You can also purchase dried noodles such a lo mein noodles, ramen noodles, udon noodles, soba noodles, etc. then cook them and use them in this recipe .
  • Sesame Oil. A staple in all Asian dishes on my site. Peanut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil are ok replacements for sesame oil, although the dish will lack the authentic take-out flavor without sesame oil it will still be delicious.
  • Minced Garlic. freshly minced or jarred (my preference) garlic both work well.
  • Onion. I prefer a sweet, white onion. Red, yellow, and green onions taste great in this recipe.
  • Bell Peppers. choose your favorite variety – red, green, orange, yellow – or a combination.
  • Carrots. I prefer whole carrots chopped finely for the best taste. You can purchase shredded carrots to cut out the chopping step (which is time consuming).
  • Broccoli. If you don’t prefer broccoli, you can substitute it with your favorite vegetable.
  • Soy Sauce. regular or low sodium soy sauce both work great. Or use coconut aminos for a soy-free version.
  • Hoisin Sauce. No substitute here, this is a must-have ingredient.
  • Ground Ginger. Fresh minced ginger can be used in place of ground.
  • Honey. brown sugar is an easy substitute for honey.
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How to Make Lo Mein

Let’s walk through how to make lo mein step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Cook the Lo Mein Noodles

If necessary, cook the dried noodles according to package instructions. This is not necessary if you are using the pre-made stir fry noodles mentioned above and in the recipe card.

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Make the Lo Mein Sauce

Then, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and set it aside to use later. It’s important to have the sauce ready to go before you begin cooking the vegetables.

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Cook the Vegetables

Next, cook the vegetables for the lo mein. Heat the sesame oil in a large fry pan or wok. Then add the onion and garlic and cook on over high heat until onion is soft (2-5 minutes).

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Then, add the rest of the vegetables and additional sesame oil. Cover and cook until the vegetables are browned and soft, stirring occasionally.

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Once the vegetables are co*ked, add the noodles and sauce and stir.

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Serve

Finally, serve this vegetable lo mein immediately with your favorite Asian dishes – or as a main dish all on it’s own. I like to pair it with teriyaki chicken (which is made in the slow cooker), fresh spring rolls and peanut sauce, cashew chicken stir fry, or these asian chicken lettuce wraps.

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Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (12)

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe FAQs

What are the best noodles for lo mein?

There are many noodle options that taste great in lo mein. Here are some suggestions:
Stir fry noodles). I find them at my local grocery store in the “Asian Foods” aisle (near the soy sauce, etc.). My favorite option.
Lo mein noodles
Ramen noodles
Udon noodles
Soba noodles


What is lo mein sauce made of?

This is the most delicious lo mein sauce, and it’s made out of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and honey.

Do you salt water for lo mein?

Yes, if you are cooking dried noodles to use in this lo mein recipe use salted water.

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (13)

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Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (14)

Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (15)

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Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe

Laura

This vegetable lo mein recipe is better than takeout and easy to make in 15 minutes! Veggies and noodles are stir-fried in a delicious lo mein sauce for an easy and healthy dinner you'll make on repeat.

5 from 18 votes

Course dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine asian

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 204

Prep Time15 minutes minutes

Cook Time15 minutes minutes

Total Time30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces stir fy noodles*
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame oil or peanut, canola, olive, etc, divided
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ onion finely sliced
  • 2 bell peppers red and green, finely sliced
  • 2 carrots cut into thin matchsticks
  • 4 cups broccoli 2 medium crowns

Lo mein sauce

Instructions

  • If necessary, cook noodles according to package instructions (see notes)

Make the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.

Cook the Lo Mein

  • Heat 1 Tablespoon sesame oil in a large fry pan or wok.

  • Add onion and garlic and cook on over high heat until onion is soft (2-5 minutes)

  • Add the rest of the vegetables and additional 1 TBS sesame oil.

  • Cover and cook until browned and soft, stirring occasionally.

  • Add noodles and sauce and stir.

  • Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Note: I included my favorite vegetable varieties in this recipe. You can substitute your favorites. Some suggestions include: zucchini, baby corn, fresh bean sprouts, water chestnuts, snap peas, etc.

  • Noodles: I use these stir fry noodles. I use the both packs which is a total of 14 oz of noodles. They are already cooked so you just add them to the veggies and sauce straight from the package.
    Alternatively, you can cook 4oz dry ramen noodles, or 4 oz Asian noodles like udon, lo mein, etc. according to the package instructions. Then drain and do not rinse, and use in this recipe.
  • Minced Garlic. freshly minced or jarred (my preference) garlic both work well.
  • Onion. I prefer a sweet, white onion. Red, yellow, and green onions taste great in this recipe.
  • Bell Peppers. choose your favorite variety – red, green, orange, yellow – or a combination.
  • Carrots. I prefer whole carrots chopped finely for the best taste. You can purchase shredded carrots to cut out the chopping step (which is time consuming).
  • Soy Sauce. regular or low sodium soy sauce both work great. Or use coconut aminos for a soy-free version.
  • Ground Ginger. Fresh minced ginger can be used in place of ground.
  • Honey. brown sugar is an easy substitute for honey.

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 839mg | Potassium: 298mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3763IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is vegetable lo mein sauce made of? ›

Lo mein is also made of various stir fried veggies, fresh garlic and ginger for lots of flavor, and a simple sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and sriracha for spice!

What makes lo mein taste so good? ›

The defining feature of any lo mein dish is the sauce, so make sure you take the time to get it right. Using dark soy sauce will give the lo mein color and a bolder taste while adding light soy sauce will give the dish some extra saltiness and flavor without staining the noodles darker.

What does lo mein usually have in it? ›

In China, lo mein is a popular dish made with wheat flour noodles, typically cooked al dente, and served with a variety of stir-fried vegetables and meats in a flavorful sauce. The vegetables may include cabbage, carrots, onions, and bean sprouts, and the meats can range from chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp.

Is vegetable lo mein healthy for you? ›

This vegetable lo mein recipe is much healthier than takeout. One bowl is only 335 calories with 16 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber. Plus, it's a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals from all the veggies.

What is Chinese chow mein sauce made of? ›

Combine soy sauce, light sesame oil, oyster sauce, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the signature sweet and savory sauce that makes chow mein taste authentic.

Can you use spaghetti noodles as lo mein? ›

15 Minute Lo Mein! Made with just soy sauce, sesame oil, a pinch of sugar, ramen noodles or spaghetti noodles, and any veggies or protein you like. SO YUMMY!

How do you thicken lo mein sauce? ›

Cornstarch! In his book How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Mark Bittman recommends mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with the same amount of water, and tossing this into the stir fry just when it's almost done. It thickens in seconds, picking up the flavors of everything already in the dish and coating evenly.

What are the best noodles to use for lo mein? ›

You want to buy an egg noodle or pasta that's relatively thin and has some tooth. Some common names will be lo mein, chow mein, egg noodles or pancit noodles. Most markets have Japanese yaki soba noodles in the cold case, and those would work perfectly.

How do you spice up bland lo mein? ›

Give your lo mein a quick taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add more salt, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, or white pepper according to your preference. Plate your lo mein and serve with homemade chili oil or hot sauce on the side!

Is lo mein good or bad for you? ›

Worst: Lo Mein

This mound of noodles has about half the carbohydrates you need all day. The noodles are made from white flour, which raises your blood sugar faster than fiber-rich whole grains. Plus, they're cooked with oil and soy sauce, so you get extra fat and sodium. Can't pass it up?

Which is better chow mein or lo mein? ›

Largely this is a matter of personal taste since both dishes can be made to your preference. If you prefer lightly sauced noodles with some crunch and vegetables with some snap, chow mein might be the way to go. If you like a more comforting noodle with richly flavored sauce, lo mein may be the better option.

What is hoisin sauce used for? ›

Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used in Cantonese cuisine as a glaze for meat, an addition to stir fry, or as dipping sauce. It is dark-coloured, sweet and salty. Although regional variants exist, hoisin sauce usually includes soybeans, fennel, red chili peppers, and garlic.

What is the healthiest thing to order at a Chinese restaurant? ›

Steamed fish or seafood with ginger, scallions and soy sauce. Steamed fish and veggies are packed with fiber and protein. One of the healthiest places you can choose an entree on a Chinese restaurant menu from is the seafood section, according to Amy Yiu, RD, a registered dietitian with Health Stand Nutrition.

What is the healthiest Chinese takeout dish? ›

The 17 Healthiest Chinese Food Takeout Options, According to Registered Dietitians
  • Chinese Eggplant With Garlic Sauce. ...
  • Steamed Dumplings. ...
  • Brown Rice With a Scrambled Egg. ...
  • Shrimp or Tofu Entrées. ...
  • Kung Pao Chicken. ...
  • Buddha's Delight. ...
  • Chicken Lettuce Wraps. ...
  • Sauce on the Side. This tip came up again and again.
Jan 7, 2018

What makes lo mein noodles different? ›

Lo mein usually uses the fat, chewy noodles, while chow mein uses the thin type of noodles that sometimes contain egg.” Lo mein uses fresh noodles that are boiled for a few minutes, while chow mein uses dried noodles that are parboiled for five to six minutes. Then there's the difference in cooking method.

What gives lo mein its smoky flavor? ›

The best kind of restaurant-style stir-fried lo mein is subtle in flavor, with plenty of wok hei, the smoky flavor that results from the powerful flame of a restaurant wok burner licking up and over the back of the wok, singeing the oil and noodles.

What gives Chinese food a smoky flavor? ›

Carbon steel woks are known to impart a smoky, caramelized taste, but any wok works fine as long as the frying technique is right. To give your chow mein a smoky flavor, drizzle soy sauce around the edges of the wok as you fry the chow mein, making sure the surface is a little oily so the sauce won't burn.

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