Description
This vibrant Vegetable Lo Mein recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring a medley of fresh vegetables and tender lo mein noodles tossed in a savory homemade sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s both colorful and satisfying with a balance of sweet, salty, and umami notes brought together by soy sauce, mirin, and toasted sesame oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Lo Mein Sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Lo Mein
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 green onions, sliced and divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 8 ounces fresh snap peas
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 8 ounces dry lo mein egg noodles
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Set this mixture aside to let the flavors meld.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the sliced green onions and all of the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the sliced mushrooms, snap peas, julienned red bell pepper, and carrot to the wok or skillet. Stir-fry the vegetables, stirring often, until they are tender-crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Cook Noodles: While the vegetables cook, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the dry lo mein egg noodles and cook according to the package’s directions until al dente. Drain the noodles well.
- Combine and Toss: Add the cooked noodles and the prepared sauce into the wok or skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce and heat through.
- Serve: Transfer the lo mein to serving plates. Garnish with the remaining sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Mirin adds sweetness and depth; if unavailable, a combination of rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar can be substituted.
- Julienning the vegetables ensures even cooking and a pleasing texture.
- Do not overcook vegetables; they should maintain some crunch for texture contrast.
- Noodles should be drained thoroughly to avoid sogginess.
