Beef Chow Mein

Our beef chow mein recipe combines crispy stir-fried noodles with colorful vegetables and tender, juicy stir-fried steak. A flavorful sauce made with Chinese cooking wine, beef broth, oyster sauce and other savory ingredients completes this tasty dish. While a wok is an ideal Chinese cooking tool for making this dish, you can use a high-walled skillet if you don’t have one.

Fun fact: depending on where you live in the United States, chow mein and lo mein may be entirely different dishes. While both are staples at Chinese American restaurants, the names are often interchangeable on menus. However, while they both contain meat, vegetables and noodles, the key difference is in the preparation. In chow mein, the noodles (mein) are stir-fried with the meat and vegetables until they’re crispy (chow means “fried”); for lo mein, the noodles are boiled and then tossed together with the meat and vegetables (lo means “tossed”). Lo mein also tends to have more sauce than chow mein.

Ingredients for Beef Chow Mein

• Chow mein noodles: Use the noodles packaged in blocks (toss any seasoning packets) rather than the crunchy kind sold in canisters. You might also find fresh chow mein noodles at your local Asian market.
• Soy sauce: This salty and savory sauce comes from fermenting or hydrolyzing soybeans. If you’re watching your sodium intake, use a low-sodium variety. Use products from the top soy sauce brands for the best flavor.
• Chinese cooking wine: Also known as Shaoxing rice wine, this cooking wine can be found in Asian grocery stores. Its sweet and sour flavor complements the umami and salty flavors in this dish. If you don’t have it, use rice wine vinegar, dry cooking wine or a dry white wine.
• Beef broth: Beef broth adds a savory flavor to the cooking sauce. Use a low-sodium variety to control the overall salt level of this beef chow mein recipe.
• Oyster sauce: Oyster sauce is a savory, dark Asian sauce. It adds richness and umami to this recipe for beef chow mein.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness to the cooking sauce, complementing the salty and savory flavors.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce.
• Canola oil: Canola oil is a neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point, making it an ideal choice for stir-fry recipes like this one.
• Beef tenderloin: Beef tenderloin is a lean and tender cut of beef. Cutting it into strips ensures a quick cook when stir-fried.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds a punch of its characteristic pungent flavor to the beef chow mein.
• Assorted fresh vegetables: Veggies are stir-fried along with the beef to add fresh flavor. Choose colorful vegetables like red bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, green onions and bean sprouts.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the noodles

Cook the chow mein noodles according to package directions. Drain off the water, rinse the noodles and set them aside.

Step 2: Marinate the beef

In a large bowl, combine the beef, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of Chinese cooking wine. Toss to coat the beef and set the bowl aside.

Step 3: Prep the cooking sauce

In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, the remaining 2 tablespoons of Chinese cooking wine, the oyster sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch. Set the bowl aside.

Step 4: Stir-fry the beef

In a large wok or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and stir-fry it until it’s no longer pink, three to four minutes. Remove it from the pan and keep it warm.

Step 5: Stir-fry the vegetables

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. When the oil is heated, add the vegetables and stir-fry them until they’re tender-crisp, two to three minutes. Add garlic and cook for one minute longer. Remove and keep the vegetables warm.

Step 6: Crisp the noodles

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. When the oil is heated, add the chow mein noodles and cook until some of the noodles begin to crisp around the edges (some noodles may stick), tossing occasionally for three to four minutes.

Step 7: Finish the dish

Return the beef and vegetables to the pan. Stir the cornstarch mixture and add it to the wok. Cook and toss until the sauce has thickened and the noodles are well coated, two to three minutes. Use the edge of the tongs or a spoon to scrape the crispy noodles off the side of the pan. Serve the beef chow mein immediately. If desired, serve it with additional soy sauce.

Beef Chow Mein Variations

• Add more veggies: A stir-fry is a great way to use the leftover (or languishing) veggies from your crisper drawer. More fresh veggie options include Napa cabbage, bok choy, baby corn, green beans or broccoli.
• Switch up the protein: Instead of beef, make chicken chow mein using cubed or shredded chicken breast (swap chicken broth for the beef broth) or pork chow mein with thinly sliced pork.
• Make it vegetarian: For a vegetarian chow mein, use extra-firm tofu instead of beef and substitute vegetable broth for the beef broth. Despite its name, you can also source vegetarian or vegan oyster sauce or use hoisin sauce, which is generally vegan.

How to Store Beef Chow Mein

Store leftover beef chow mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It lasts up to four days. The noodles may soften a bit, but the leftovers will still be quite tasty!

How do you reheat beef chow mein?

The easiest way to reheat beef chow mein is in the microwave. Transfer it to a microwave-safe dish, cover it and microwave it in one-minute intervals until the beef chow mein is heated through. To reheat it on the stovetop, add a little broth and oyster sauce to a wok or large skillet. Bring them to a simmer over medium heat, then add the leftover beef chow mein and stir-fry it until it’s heated through, about three minutes.

Beef Chow Mein Tips

What can you use in place of chow mein noodles?

Traditional chow mein noodles are thin Chinese egg noodles made with wheat flour. If necessary, you could substitute spaghetti or narrow egg noodles for the chow mein noodles. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, then add them to the recipe as directed.

What should you serve with beef chow mein?

Serve beef chow mein alongside egg rolls, scallion pancakes or pork-and-chive potstickers for a full Chinese takeout-inspired meal. And don’t forget the fortune cookies for dessert!