Easy Chow Mein Recipe

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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.

 

Table of Contents

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.

Ingredient Notes

These pantry staples and fresh vegetables keep this noodle dish simple, flavorful, and easy to throw together on a busy night.

• Ramen Noodles or Yakisoba Noodles – Both work well here and hold onto the sauce nicely without getting too heavy.
• Olive Oil – Used to cook the vegetables and keep everything moving easily in the pan.
• Onion – Adds a savory flavor that gives the noodles a really good base.
• Green Onions – Sprinkled in for a little freshness and extra flavor at the end.
• Cabbage – Cabbage softens as it cooks while still adding a bit of texture to the noodles.
• Ginger – Adds a fresh flavor that pairs really well with the soy sauce and sesame oil.
• Sugar – A little sugar helps balance the salty flavors in the sauce.
• Granulated Garlic – An easy way to add garlic flavor without needing to mince fresh garlic.
• Soy Sauce – The main flavor for the sauce and what gives the noodles that classic savory taste.
• Sesame Oil – Adds a rich finish and gives the noodles that familiar takeout-style flavor.

How to Make Chow Mein

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

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the ramen noodles until they are just tender but still slightly chewy. Be careful not to overcook them since the noodles will continue cooking a little in the skillet. Drain in a colander and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (the extra space helps the cabbage cook evenly and keeps the vegetables from getting overcrowded). Add the onion, cabbage, salt, black pepper, and ground ginger, then sauté for a few minutes until the cabbage softens and the onions become tender while still keeping a little texture.

Step 3: Combine Everything Together

Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the cabbage mixture. Sprinkle in the sugar and granulated garlic, then pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil. Using tongs or a wooden spoon, gently toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated and heated through.

Step 4: Serve Hot

Serve the chow mein right away while the noodles are hot and the vegetables are still crisp-tender. Add sliced green onions or sesame seeds on top if desired.

Tools You’ll Need

This easy chow mein recipe comes together fast, so having a few basic kitchen tools ready beforehand makes cooking a whole lot easier.

• Large skillet – I like using a large skillet so there’s plenty of room to toss the noodles and veggies together without making a mess.
• Colander – A colander makes draining the noodles quick and easy so they don’t get too soft.
• Measuring cups and spoons – These help keep the sauce balanced so the flavors turn out just right every time.
• Prep bowls – Since this recipe cooks quickly, I like using prep bowls to have the sauce and vegetables ready to go before I start cooking.

Tips for Success

Chow mein comes together quickly, so a few small cooking tips can really help you get noodles that are flavorful, slightly chewy, and never soggy.

• Don’t overcook the noodles. Cook them until just tender because they’ll continue cooking once added to the hot skillet. Overcooked noodles can turn soft and mushy fast.
• Drain the noodles well before adding them to the pan. Extra water will water down the sauce and keep the noodles from getting that classic stir-fried texture.
• Cook everything over medium-high to high heat. A hot skillet helps the cabbage stay slightly crisp while giving the noodles better flavor and texture.
• Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking. Chow Mein comes together quickly, so having the sauce, noodles, and vegetables ready makes the process much easier.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Too many ingredients at once can steam the vegetables instead of stir-frying them. If adding lots of veggies or protein, cook in batches if needed.
• Toss the noodles gently. This helps keep the noodles intact and evenly coated with sauce.
• If your noodles stick together after boiling, rinse briefly with cold water and toss with a tiny bit of oil before adding them to the skillet.
• Taste the sauce before serving. Soy sauce brands vary in saltiness, so you may want a little extra sugar, sesame oil, or soy sauce to balance the flavors to your liking.

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 – Sweet and savory beef is always good with noodles.
• Orange Chicken – Crispy orange chicken and chow mein are a classic combo.
• Better Than Take-Out Crispy Sesame Beef – Crispy beef with sesame sauce makes this feel like homemade takeout.
• Pot Stickers – Pot stickers are an easy side and always a crowd favorite.
• Crab Rangoon – Crispy crab rangoons are perfect alongside noodles.
• 30+ more ideas for What Serve with Chow Mein

Storing and Reheating Chow Mein

Any leftover Chow Mein can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge 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!

FAQs

Variations

One of the best things about chow mein is how easy it is to customize with whatever you already have in the fridge. You can switch up the vegetables, add protein, or make it a little heartier depending on what you’re craving.

• Add more vegetables – Cabbage, carrots, green onions, and bean sprouts are classic choices, but broccoli, snap peas, bok choy, spinach, celery, and mushrooms all work really well too.
• Use leftover vegetables – Chow mein is a great clean-out-the-fridge meal. Toss in any extra veggies you need to use up before they go bad.
• Add chicken or beef – Thinly sliced chicken breast, chicken thighs, or beef make the noodles more filling and turn this into a complete dinner.
• Try shrimp or pork – Shrimp cooks quickly and pairs perfectly with the savory sauce, while pork adds great flavor too.
• Make it extra saucy – If you like saucier noodles, double the sauce ingredients so there’s extra to coat everything well.
• Add a little heat – A drizzle of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes gives the noodles a little spicy kick.

Are you a vegetarian or a 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!

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 a 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.