Lo Mein is probably my favorite dish to get when I go out to a Chinese restaurant. Sometimes I branch out and get something different, but whenever I do I am secretly missing my traditional Lo Mein order every time :).
I’m not sure why I waited for so long to create my own Lo Mein recipe at home, but I am so happy we decided to give it a try. It was a huge hit!
The tender veggies, bold, flavorful sauce, soft Lo Mein noodles – everything is just so perfect together. There is so much flavor going on in this dish! You start everything off by sauteing garlic, scallions, and ginger, which is the traditional flavor base of Asian food.
That alone gives this dish so much flavor, but adding the delicious sauce in at the end just puts it over the top and results in that traditional taste that everyone loves.
There are a few non traditional additions we added to the Lo Mein. They are totally optional but I would recommend at least giving them a try!
1. Cashews – I love adding texture to my recipes, and nuts are so great for that. Not only are cashews one of my favorite nuts, they are used all the time in Asian cooking, so we decided to throw some into the Lo Mein. We absolutely loved the addition of cashews, but if you want to stick with the traditional Lo Mein ingredients and flavors, you definitely can!
2. Lime juice – this one is even more non traditional than the cashews, but I think it adds so much to the dish. It might not be a flavor you are used to in Lo Mein, but I would at least try squeezing a little juice on one bite to see if you like it better; we did! I love the note of bright freshness that it brings to the table.
This makes a huge pot of Lo Mein! Which means lots of yummy left overs :). Seth and I killed all of it by the end of the next day, though…too hard to resist.
Here is the recipe!
PrintEasy Veggie Lo Mein
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 5 scallions (white and green parts), thinly sliced
- 3 large cloves garlic (or 5 small), finely minced
- 1/4 inch piece of ginger, finely minced
- 1 head broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 lb Lo Mein style noodles (Spaghetti or Fettucini can be substituted)
- For the sauce:
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (5 tablespoons) sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup cashews, roughly chopped
- 1 lime (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water (it should taste like the ocean) to a boil
- While the water is heating, prep all your vegetables
- When the water is boiling, add your noodles and cook according to package instruction and drain with a colander
- Meanwhile, heat a wok over high heat with a little coconut oil (vegetable or canola will work as well)
- Add your scallions, garlic, and ginger and saute for a few minutes
- Add the rest of the vegetables: broccoli, carrots, and cabbage
- Stir continuously for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still have a bite
- For the sauce, combine everything into a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds-1 minute, or until the sugar is dissolved
- Add the noodles in with the veggies and add the sauce
- Stir until everything is combined and the sauce evenly coats all the noodles
- Saute for another minute or two and then remove from the heat
- For a few optional non-traditional additions, top with cashews and squeeze a little bit of fresh lime juice to taste over each bowl
- *If you don’t have a wok, a large saute pan will work too!
If you make this or any of my other recipes, make sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
Want more delicious Asian recipes? Check these out:
Pan Fried Dumplings with Soy Chili Peanut Sauce
This looks great Annie! I really love lo mein too- especially leftover cold lo mein :) I’m still on the hunt for the perfect at home recipe and I love your cashew and lime additions. Yum!
Maya @ Treats and Eats recently posted…Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread
Thanks, Maya! Interesting – cold left over lo mein… I will have to try that :).
I love lo mein as well. Your version sounds wonderful. I love how you kept it simple and didn’t over complicate it. And cashews? Yes, please! Cashews make everything taste better! Thanks for sharing another great recipe :)
cheyanne recently posted…Slow Cooker Broccoli, Bacon & Double Cheese Dip
Thanks, Cheyanne! Cashews really do make everything so much better :).
This looks delicious! Meals like this are always a great way to get some extra veggies in your diet.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Things That Happen When Developing Recipes For A Book by Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice
Thanks, Dannii! Agreed, you can add any extra veggies in here as well!
This lo mien looks wonderful! Your sauce ingredients sounds delicious and light. I sometimes find takeout sauces to be a bit heavy. And I like your addition of lime to the dish.
Thanks, Thao! Agreed, they can be really heavy and VERY greasy!
Oooh yum, lo mein is one of my favorite Chinese dishes too! There’s this vegan Chinese place near where I went to college that makes amazinggg lo mein – not at all greasy and so tasty – and it’s made me almost too spoiled to get it anywhere else. Oh, and it’s 2,500 miles away from where I live so every time I visit, I simply have to get take out from there!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness recently posted…My New Yoga Playlist
Thanks, Nicole! A vegan Chinese place sounds awesome – you are making me want to travel there and eat their Lo Mein!!
Love that you added the cashews and lime juice! I think it gives it kind of a Thai twist and I love me some Thai food! This looks really great, and so easy. We always find weird Asian veggies at our farmer’s market and make a big stir fry… I might need to try putting them in something like this next time!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel recently posted…Blood Orange Mojitos
Thanks, Jess! Oh yeah, I’m down for Thai food any time. Any weird Asian veggies would be perfect for this ;)!!
Annie, can you believe, as much as I love lo mein, I never made it at home before?! You have inspired me today to try it asap! pictures looks beyond-words-scrumptious! Pass me a big bowl, please! pinning!
Savita @ ChefDeHome recently posted…By ChefDeHome- Sriracha Guacamole
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t made it at home either before this recipe!! You need to try it!
Your lo mein has me drooling over here! I love chinese takeout, but it is so much healthier when you cook it at home. Must make this ASAP!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Pear and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad
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Thanks, Natalie! Yes, it is way better for you if you make it yourself – and it’s even more yummy :).
Your lo mein looks so delicious. I also really like how uncomplicated the sauce is and how few ingredients it requires. I can eat it all
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic recently posted…Roasted Beets with Creamy Blue Cheese
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Thanks, Kathy!
Lo mein is one of our favorite dishes! Yours looks delicious! Love the cashews and lime juice you added :)
Kelly – Life Made Sweeter recently posted…{One Skillet} Taco Pasta with Vegetables
Thanks, Kelly! It’s one of our faves too :).
I love lo mien and I LOVE that you added cashews and lime! My mouth is watering, I wish had some of this right now!
Keri @ Fashionable Foods recently posted…Spring Chicken and Vegetable Salad
Thanks, Keri! The cashews and lime really do add so much. Aaaaand you could make it gluten free with spiralized veggies and gluten free soy sauce :).
This looks fantastic, Annie! I almost never think to try making Chinese food at home. There was a fried rice incident… Maybe I would have better luck with your lo mein!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Pan Seared Mahi Mahi with Blueberry Sauce and Whipped Goat Cheese and Nutmeg Creamed Spinach
Thanks, Rachelle! Haha a fried rice “incident” – I want to hear about that!
Hi Annie, I’m a huge fan of Asian cuisine but I try to stay away from noodles (I have a very sensitive digestive system), what are your thoughts on switching out the noodles in this recipe for some spaghetti squash? The flavors in this recipe look too good to resist! :)
Alison recently posted…{Dress}ing for the Occasion
I think spaghetti squash would be yummy, or you could spiralize some zucchini and throw that in there instead of the noodles too! If you don’t have a spiralizer you can also julienne the zucchini :).
Oh I love the looks of this lo mein, Annie! I always order this when I go out to Chinese restaurants too, though I’ve never thought to make this at home. I love how easy this is to make! I wish I could dive right into this bowl….yum!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mexican Rice
Thanks, Gayle! I think you would love it :).