Easy Chow Mein Recipe

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Make amazing homemade Chow Mein in 15 minutes! These noodles are highly adaptable and you can make them sweet or spicy, however you like! I originally wrote this recipe way back in 2015 and since then it has become one of my consistently top recipes. It won’t take you long to realize why.

 

Quick and Easy Chow Mein

Chow Mein is made up of stir-fried noodles with vegetables and/or meat. It’s a popular dish in most American Chinese restaurants and now in your home too! I made this recipe so it could be a customizable base for your dinner needs; add meat, different vegetables, and even a different type of noodle if you want.

Chow Mein Ingredients + Variations

1. Chow Mein Noodles: Made with wheat and egg, traditional chow mein noodles have a distinctive bite to them that reminds me of classic Italian pasta noodles. You can get dried noodles in the Asian aisle in nearly every grocery store. Some markets also have pre-cooked fresh noodles in the refrigerated section that you can simply throw straight into your pan with the veggies. I used just cheap ramen noodles for this recipe.

2. Vegetables: Some classic vegetables used for chow mein include green onions, carrots, cabbage, or bean sprouts. However, you can get creative with your selection of veggies and use bok choy, water chestnuts, broccoli, spinach, kale, celery, corn, bamboo shoots, carrots, or snap peas. If you have any leftover veggies in your fridge, making chow mein will be an excellent way to use them up. 

3. Meat: Any type of good quality meat will work well as a source of protein for your chow mein. Opt for chicken breast or thighs, beef, pork, or shrimp – they will make your dish not only delicious but also filling. 

Are you vegetarian or vegan? You can enjoy your chow mein in its plant-based version by using vegetable stock and replacing meat with tofu or tempeh. Incredible taste guaranteed!

How to Make Chow Mein

For full recipe details, including ingredients needed and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

1. Cook ramen noodles in boiling water until chewy and *just* cooked. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onion, cabbage, salt, black pepper, and ground ginger until tender. 
3. Toss cabbage mixtures with cooked noodles, sugar, granuated garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil until heated through.
4. Serve hot.

Storing Chow Mein

Any leftover Chow Mein can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. After that, things start to get a little too mushy!

Freezing Instructions

Chow Mein actually freezes really well! Let cool then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months!

To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight then do a quick stir fry to warm things up!

What to Serve with Chow Mein Noodles

If you feel like you need some protein with this meal, I have a few ideas for you below. You could also just add some chicken or shrimp right to your noodles and call it a day! See below for side dish ideas too.

• Korean Beef Recipe
• Orange Chicken
• Better Than Take-Out Crispy Sesame Beef
• Pot Stickers
• Crab Rangoon
• 30+ more ideas for What Serve with Chow Mein

More Asian-Inspired Recipes to Try

• Ramen Stir Fry
• Sesame Noodle Salad
• Kung Pao Chicken (Family Favorite!)
• Chicken Pad Thai
• Bang Bang Chicken
• Easy Fried Rice

I hope you love this homemade chow mein recipe! It’s so easy and and great way to use up some veggies! Give this a try tonight and see if you like them as much as my family does. Printable recipe card is below! Enjoy, friends.

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

Chow Mein Recipe FAQ