Beef Lo Mein

Thinly sliced and seared steak, colorful fresh vegetables, and noodles stir-fried in a flavorful Asian sauce make this Beef Lo Mein the perfect alternative to Chinese takeout.

Chinese Take-Out Fake Out. That’s the perfect way to describe this meal. What’s your go-to carry-out meal? If it isn’t pizza here, it’s Chinese. We can all agree on it, even though everyone likes something different. 

The first time I had the idea to make Lo Mein at home, I had an extra steak and wanted to use it. This recipe was born, and it’s been a favorite ever since!

Beef Lo Mein

Loaded with fresh crunchy veggies and pan-seared steak this better than take-out stir fry comes together in just minutes. Served hot from the pan with a sweet and savory soy-based sauce, it makes the perfect meal on a busy weeknight. 

Beef Lo Mein Recipe

A great way to use up any leftover veggies in your fridge come the end of the week when you haven’t had time to get to the grocery store, this beef lo mein is easily modified. Throw in whatever you’ve got on hand in the fridge or even in the freezer. Switch up the noodles and serve over rice, or use chicken instead of beef. 

You’ll also be happy to know there won’t be any need to take a trip to your local Asian market as you can make this lo mein recipe right in your kitchen! You are sure to love these too: Ginger and Basil Fried Rice, Asian Beef, Mushrooms, and Snow Peas, or this Asian Slaw. 

Healthy, flavorful, and super easy, you can’t go wrong with this beef lo mein recipe. Not to be confused with chow mein which has thin noodles. Chow mein noodles are often egg-based and are often served crispy, this lo mein dish uses long noodles that are served soft, perfect for soaking up the savory sauce.  

Beef lo mein Ingredients 

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card. 

• Sirloin steak–  Cut into thin strips.
• Soy sauce – Use a low sodium or regular soy sauce.
• Corn starch – Corn starch helps thicken up the sauce.
• Sesame oil – Sesame oil adds more of an Asian flavor.
• Spaghetti – Use a long-shaped pasta like spaghetti noodles or linguine noodles.

• Mung bean sprouts – Fresh or canned mung bean sprouts add texture to the stir fry.
• Bamboo shoots – Canned bamboo shoots also up the Asian flavor and texture.
• Carrots – Shredded carrots add some color.
• Leeks – Use leeks, washed well and sliced.
• Mushrooms – Add fresh button mushrooms, sliced, or use cremini.
• Red bell pepper – Sliced red bell peppers add more color.
• Snow peas – Snow peas add some crunch to the lo mein.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is best but jarred will also work.
• Rice vinegar – Rice vinegar adds a touch of sweetness and acidity. 
• Green onions – Use the greens, also known as spring onions, sliced for serving (optional).

How to make this easy beef lo mein recipe

This delicious beef lo mein comes together quickly and easily. 

Slice beef into thin strips. place in a gallon-sized zip lock bag. Sprinkle with cornstarch. Toss meat to cover. Add soy sauce and sesame oil.

Squeeze meat to coat thoroughly.

Chop all of your fresh veggies and have them ready to go. Once the process starts it goes quickly.

Cook noodles, rinse in cool water, set aside.

Add a couple of teaspoons of sesame oil to a wok or large skillet. Add beef to hot oil and sear on both sides. Use tongs to remove from pan.

Add minced garlic and veggies except for the bean sprouts and snow peas. Stir fry on high for a couple of minutes. Add in the rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Add in bean sprouts and snow peas. Continue to stir fry for a couple of minutes more.

Add in beef and noodles, combining and continuing to stir fry until most of the liquid is absorbed. Serve hot!

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can freeze them as well but the veggies may get a little bit soft when you thaw and reheat them. In the freezer, the beef lo mein will keep for 3 months. 

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this lo mein recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

FAQs about steak lo mein

• How to make beef lo mein? If you want to make beef lo mein, just follow this recipe. 
• What is beef lo mein? Beef lo mein is a Chinese American dish that is made with strips of beef, thick noodles, and vegetables stir-fried with a soy-based sauce. 
• What is beef lo mein made of? Beef lo mein is made of beef, wheat noodles, and vegetables which usually include carrots, broccoli, peppers, and mushrooms. 
• What is the difference between beef lo mein and chow mein? Beef lo mein usually has thick soft noodles while chow mein has thinner, crispy noodles. 
• What is the sauce in lo mein made of? The lo mein sauce is usually made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice wine vinegar but may contain other ingredients based on the recipe.
• What to serve with beef lo mein? Beef lo mein goes well with any dish. You can serve it with egg rolls, fried rice, mixed vegetables, or eat it on its own. 

Substitutions

Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!

• Change up the sauce ingredients and use a combination of hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and dark soy sauce.

• Modify the noodles and try rice noodles, buckwheat noodles, or egg noodles. Any noodles will taste great. 

• Swap the beef for flank steak, skirt steak, chicken, and shrimp or use tofu for vegetarian lo mein. 

• Use different vegetables like broccoli, and bok coy.

• For less of a savory sauce and more of a sweet sauce add a tablespoon of brown sugar. 

• If you don’t have sesame oil on hand you can use vegetable oil though your stir fry won’t have the same flavor. 

Tips & Tricks

• If you don’t have a wok you can use a large skillet. 

• Keep a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in the freezer so you can whip up this delicious recipe any day of the week. 

• Garnish this easy beef lo mein recipe with toasted sesame seeds for more flavor and crunch. 

More Recipes to Love

• Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts 

• Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

• Thai Chicken Noodle Soup

• Sweet & Sour Chicken (pictured above)

• Fried Rice

• Ginger Soy Dressing

See All of my Asian Recipes

Noodle dishes always go over well with the whole family and this beef lo mein is bound to be no exception. 

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe

Beef Lo Mein

Thinly sliced steak, colorful vegetables and noodles stir fried in a flavorful Asian sauce.  Chinese Take Out- Fake Out at it's finest!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Beef

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Asian noodles, Asian recipes, beef, Beef Lo Mein, stir fry

Servings: 4

Calories: 428kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Reusable Chopsticks Japanese Natural Wooden 5 Pairs
• 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
• Carbon Steel Wok, 13 Inch Wok Pan with Lid and Spatula,

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 5 ounces sirloin steak cut into thin strips
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons corn starch
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 12 ounce package spaghetti or linguine noodles
• 1 14.5 ounce can Mung bean sprouts
• 1 8 ounce can Bamboo shoots
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup leeks sliced
• 1 cup fresh white mushrooms sliced
• 1 cup red bell pepper sliced
• 6 ounces snow peas
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons soy sauce I use low sodium
• 2 teaspoons Sesame oil
• Tops of two green onions sliced for serving (optional)

Instructions

• Slice beef into thin strips. place in a gallon sized zip lock bag. Sprinkle with corn starch. Toss meat to cover. Add soy sauce and Sesame oil. Squeeze meat to coat thoroughly.
• Chop all of your fresh veggies and have them ready to go. Once the process starts it goes quickly.
• Cook noodles, rinse in cool water, set aside.
• Add a couple of teaspoons of Sesame oil to a wok or large skillet. I always use my big cast iron one. Heat until oil is hot, Add beef and sear on both sides. Remove from pan.
• Add minced garlic and veggies with the exception of the bean sprouts and snow peas. Stir fry on high for a couple of minutes. Add in the rice wine vinegar, soy sauce and Sesame oil. Add in bean sprouts and snow peas. Continue to stir fry for a couple of minutes more.
• Add in beef and noodles, combining and continuing to stir fry until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Serve hot!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 857mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g