Description
Prepare for a culinary adventure with this Crispy Noodle Chow Mein & Stir-fried Veggies that brings the magic of your favorite takeout right into your kitchen. Enjoy the delightful crunch of perfectly pan-fried noodles paired with a vibrant stir-fry of fresh vegetables and savory beef.
Ingredients
Scale
- Fresh or dried egg noodles
- Thinly sliced beef (flank steak, sirloin, or top round)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Splash of non-alcoholic rice wine substitute (like rice vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar or chicken broth)
- Broccoli florets
- Sliced carrots
- Bell peppers (any color)
- Snap peas
- Sliced mushrooms
- Bok choy
- Thin slices of onion
- Fresh garlic (minced or finely chopped)
- Fresh ginger (minced or finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian mushroom sauce)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for slurry)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- High smoke point oil (peanut oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Thinly slice your beef against the grain. In a medium bowl, combine the beef with 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, and a splash of non-alcoholic rice wine substitute. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare everything else.
- Wash and chop all your vegetables. Slice harder veggies like carrots and broccoli into smaller, uniform pieces so they cook evenly. Mince your garlic and ginger.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian mushroom sauce), 1 teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, and another splash of non-alcoholic rice wine substitute. Set aside. Prepare your cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) in a separate small bowl.
- Par-boil your egg noodles according to package directions (usually 1-2 minutes for fresh) until al dente. Drain them very thoroughly in a colander. For maximum crispiness, spread them out on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and gently pat them dry. You can even let them air-dry for 15-20 minutes.
- Crisp the Noodles: Heat 2-3 tablespoons of high smoke point oil in a large wok or a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add about half of your dried noodles, spreading them into an even layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
- Gently flip the noodle cake over with a spatula and cook the other side until similarly golden and crispy. Transfer the crispy noodles to a serving platter lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining noodles.
- Stir-Fry the Beef: Add another tablespoon of oil to your wok/skillet over high heat. Once shimmering, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until nicely browned and just cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Veggies: If needed, add a touch more oil to the wok. Add the harder vegetables first (carrots, broccoli, onions) and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften slightly. Add the bell peppers, mushrooms, and snap peas. Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until all the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Push the vegetables to one side of the wok. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the cleared space and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then toss them with the vegetables.
- Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked beef to the wok with the stir-fried vegetables. Pour in your prepared chow mein sauce, stirring constantly to coat everything evenly. As the sauce comes to a simmer, give your cornstarch slurry a quick whisk and pour it into the wok, stirring continuously. Cook for another minute until the sauce is well combined and coats the beef and veggies.
- Serve Immediately: Spoon the hot, saucy stir-fried beef and vegetables directly over the crispy noodle cakes on your serving platter. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 80 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Ensure your noodles are as dry as possible after par-boiling for maximum crispiness. Feel free to swap the beef for thinly sliced chicken, shrimp, or firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Adjust the sauce to your taste before adding it to the wok.