Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein

Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein Recipe Variations

One of the best things about lo mein is how easy it is to play with the recipe. You can do so much with it. In fact, with just a few simple tweaks, one lo mein recipe can become several. Simply make a few substitutions, and you have a completely new dish whenever you want to switch things up!

Different Meat

One of the easiest ways to transform this dish is to change your meat. Anything works in this dish, really. It’s all delicious. Some of my favorite options include:

• Top sirloin steak
• Flank steak
• Skirt steak
• Shrimp
• Chicken
• Pork

Different Vegetables

When it comes to vegetables, I love to throw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink into my lo mein, but you may not be of that same mindset. It’s easy to add or omit vegetables to this dish as you see fit. In general, the best veggies for this dish in my opinion are:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Snap peas
• Broccoli
• Water chestnuts
• Baby corn
• Bamboo shoots

Different Noodles

Although lo mein should be made with lo mein noodles in my opinion, sometimes you just don’t have them on hand. If that’s the case, you’re in luck. You can use spaghetti noodles in a pinch. It won’t be quite the same, but it will be close.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about this beef and broccoli lo mein recipe, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about lo mein.

What is beef lo mein?

Beef lo mein is a Chinese dish made with lo mein noodles, beef, vegetables, and a sweet and savory sauce.

Why do they call it lo mein?

The name translates roughly to “stirred noodles” which is essentially what the dish is.

What is the difference between beef chow mein and beef lo mein?

The main difference between the two dishes is how they’re prepared. Chow mein translates to “fried noodles”, and lo mein translates to “stirred noodles”. Both are representative of how they’re prepared. Chow mein noodles are stir fried while lo mein noodles are lightly tossed.

What is traditionally in lo mein?

Traditionally, lo mein is made of egg noodles, vegetables, protein, and a sweet and savory sauce.

What does the lo in lo mein mean?

The term lo mein translates to “tossed noodles”. The lo means “tossed”, while mein means “noodles”.

What noodles are used in lo mein?

Lo mein uses Chinese egg noodles, which are wheat flour noodles with added egg.

What is lo mein sauce made of?

Traditionally, it’s made of several different ingredients combined together to create a sweet and savory sauce that can be hot or mild. Ingredients often include:

• Oyster sauce
• soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Sesame oil
• Ginger
• Brown sugar
• Beef broth

Can you cook lo mein ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the dish according to the directions then let it cool and store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator to be eaten later in the day or the next day.

Can you freeze beef lo mein?

You sure can! Simply let the dish chill completely, then place it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags.

What to Serve with Beef Lo Mein

This beef and broccoli lo mein recipe is a meal unto itself. It has everything you need for a complete meal, from noodles to beef and veggies. It is also very filling, so I don’t recommend serving a lot of sides with this. However, if you choose to serve it as part of a larger meal, you can pair it with other dishes for people to sample. Some great pairings include:

• Egg rolls
• Spring rolls
• Fried rice
• Sweet and sour chicken
• Orange chicken
• Beef and broccoli

How to Store Beef Lo Mein Leftovers

Place any leftover beef lo mein in an airtight container and place in the fridge. It will be good for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the leftovers in an airtight, freezer safe container or heavy duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.

To reheat, add a little oil in a pan, over medium heat and once the oil is hot, add the beef lo mein. Toss for 3 to 4 minutes or until the beef and vegetables are heated through.

Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein Recipe Ingredients

It takes several ingredients to make this recipe. You’ll be seasoning the beef, making the sauce, and adding vegetables, so the ingredient list isn’t short. That being said, these are all ingredients that can be easily found at your local grocery store, so there’s no need to worry about having to visit a specialty store.

For the Beef

• Top sirloin, flank, or skirt steak
• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Beef broth, low sodium
• Olive oil – divided

For the Vegetables

• Large onion
• Red bell pepper
• Cloves garlic
• Matchstick carrots
• Shredded cabbage
• Snap peas
• Broccoli florets
• Water chestnuts
• Lo mein noodles

For the Sauce

• Beef broth, low sodium
• Brown sugar
• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Sesame oil
• Red pepper flakes
• Ground ginger
• Black pepper
• Cornstarch + Water

How to Make Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein Recipe

There might be several ingredients to this recipe, but there aren’t a lot of steps. As you probably saw, many of these ingredients are used for seasoning or combined to make the sauce. The recipe is really very simple.

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Cook the noodle per package directions, drain, and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef

Add one tablespoon of olive oil to your wok and heat over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef, seasonings, and broth. Stir and cook until the meat is tender nad the liquid has cooked down. Remove the beef mixture from the pan and set it aside.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

In the same wok, add the remaining olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and red bell pepper and cook until tender but still crisp. Then, add the minced garlic, broccoli, snow peas, cabbage, and water chestnuts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 4: Combine the Beef, Vegetables, and Noodles

Add the beef back to the pan and stir. Then, add the noodles and toss to combine all ingredients.

Step 5: Cook the Sauce

In a medium saucepan, mix all the sauce ingredients except for the cornstarch and water together over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Then, mix the cornstarch and water and add the mixture to the sauce. Cook until thickened, stirring frequently.

Step 6: Put it All Together

Pour the sauce into the wok with the other ingredients and toss everything together. Then, cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

More Asian-Inspired Recipes to Enjoy

Chicken Lo Mein – A delicious lo mein recipe that is loaded with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and a flavorful and spicy sauce.

Orange Chicken – A perfect homemade orange chicken recipe to make right at home. It’s covered in a delicious orange glaze and pairs well with white rice.

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl – A hearty, savory and delicious teriyaki chicken recipe with broccoli, carrots, and rice with a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce.

Try this Shrimp Lo Mein from Deliciously Seasoned. A perfect dish that can be on the table in under an hour, loaded with spicy shrimp and tender lo mein noodles.