Beef Lo Mein

Why You’ll Love It

So easy to make: Homemade beef lo mein is really simple to prepare. You need to cook the beef, cook the veggies, cook the noodles, make the sauce, and then toss everything together.
Just like the restaurant version: It might even be better than the restaurant version (and is certainly cheaper!)
Quick to prepare: Make it in just half an hour, for a midweek win!
You can customize it: Don’t want beef? Use another protein. Not keen on some of the vegetables? Use any veggies you like. You can also make it sweeter, spice it up or add other flavors to customize it to your taste.

Easy Beef Lo Mein Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Sirloin steak: If you don’t have sirloin, other tender cuts of beef like flank steak or ribeye work well.
Lo mein noodles: Wheat noodles made with egg.
Vegetables: Carrot, broccoli, onion, red bell pepper, and snow peas add color, nutrients and flavor.
Garlic: Add extra if you love it.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty flavor. You can use dark soy sauce, light soy sauce or some of each. Use low sodium soy sauce if you want to reduce the salt levels.
Beef broth: For a rich and hearty taste.
Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle acidic dimension to the flavor.
Honey: To add sweetness.
Sesame oil: I like to use roasted sesame oil for a bold taste.
Cornstarch: To thicken the beef lo mein recipe.

How to Make a Beef Lo Mein Stir Fry

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cook the noodles: Cook the lo mein noodles following the package directions.
Make the sauce: Combine the sauce ingredients.
Cook the steak: Stir fry the steak strips in oil in a wok or skillet until golden brown and remove.
Cook the vegetables: Stir fry the garlic and then add the onion, red bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, and snow peas, and cook until crisp-tender.
Add the sauce: Pour in the sauce. Mix the cornstarch with water and add this also. Cook until thickened.
The finishing touches: Add the steak back into the wok and the noodles. Toss everything together, cook for another couple of minutes and serve, garnished with green onion and sesame seeds if liked.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use soy sauce without added wheat flour and ensure your noodles are gluten-free (look for rice noodles or other gluten-free options). Be sure to check the labels for hidden gluten sources in other ingredients like sauces.
Vegetarian version: Make a vegetarian version by replacing the beef with tofu or additional vegetables. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and check that your soy sauce is plant-based (some soy sauces contain fish products).
Sirloin steak: Chicken, shrimp, pork, or tofu would work instead if you want to use one of those.
Lo mein noodles: Sub spaghetti noodles, egg noodles or rice noodles if you want. Just be sure to adjust cooking times if you use a different noodle.
Low carb version: Use shirataki noodles in place of lo mein noodles and swap the honey for your preferred sweetener.
Stir frying oil: Use peanut oil, olive oil, canola oil, or your preferred high or medium smoke point cooking oil.
Vegetables: Feel free to mix up those veggies! Mushrooms, bok choy, napa cabbage, baby corn, or snap peas would work well in place of snow peas or red bell peppers. You can also add more leafy greens like spinach or kale or a handful of bean sprouts.
Honey: Brown sugar would also be good, or even hoisin sauce, white sugar or sweetener.
Spice it up: Add hot sauce, red pepper flakes or chili paste for a spicy kick.
Optional ingredients: Add a splash of oyster sauce, a pinch of ground ginger or some cilantro if liked.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Start your meal with some turkey potstickers, a salmon rice bowl or crab cake egg rolls.
Side dishes: Although lo mein is a meal in one, you can make other dishes to go with it, perhaps Chinese chicken salad or kimchi fried rice.
For dessert: Indulge in cherry cheesecake egg rolls or coconut-pineapple frozen yogurt.

How to Store Easy Beef Lo Mein

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: It’s not the best dish for freezing because the noodles can become mushy when reheated. However, you can freeze the stir-fried beef and vegetables without the noodles. When you’re ready to eat, just cook fresh noodles and combine with the thawed beef and veggies.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm beef lo mein back up in a wok or pan on the stove or in the microwave. I recommend mixing in a splash of soy sauce, broth or water first, if needed, to loosen it up.