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Minute Lo Mein uses simple yet fresh ingredients. Each one adds a unique flavor. You need lo mein noodles, vegetables, and a few key seasonings. This makes your dish both quick and tasty. - 8 oz lo mein noodles - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 1 cup shredded carrots - 1 cup snap peas - 1 red bell pepper, julienned - 3 green onions, sliced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon ginger, grated - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar You can add more flavor with optional items. Consider adding: - 1 tablespoon chili paste for heat - Sesame seeds for garnish - Fresh cilantro for added color and taste These options let you tailor your dish. You can make it mild or spicy, based on your taste. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it bubbles, add 8 oz of lo mein noodles. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes, following the package instructions. When they are ready, drain the noodles well. Set them aside in a bowl. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Wait until the oil shimmers. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Stir them quickly to avoid burning. Sauté for about 30 seconds until they smell nice and golden. Now it’s time for the veggies! Add 1 cup of shredded carrots, 1 cup of snap peas, and 1 julienned red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry the mix for 3-4 minutes. You want them tender-crisp, so keep an eye on the texture. Gently add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet with the veggies. Use tongs or a spatula to toss everything together. Mix well to ensure the noodles blend nicely with the vegetable medley. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. If you like heat, add 1 tablespoon of chili paste. Pour this sauce over the noodle and veggie mix. Stir-fry everything for 2 more minutes to coat the noodles well. After mixing, take the skillet off the heat. Gently fold in 3 sliced green onions. Their fresh flavor will make the dish pop! Spoon your warm lo mein into bowls or plates. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a few cilantro leaves. This adds color and flavor. Enjoy your quick and zesty lo mein right away for the best taste! To cook lo mein noodles, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir them gently to prevent sticking. Drain and set them aside to keep them warm. You want them soft but not mushy. When sautéing, use a hot skillet or wok. Heat vegetable oil until it shimmers. Add minced garlic and grated ginger first, then cook for about 30 seconds. This gives your dish a great base flavor. Next, add shredded carrots, snap peas, and red bell pepper. Stir-fry these for 3-4 minutes. Keep them crisp for the best taste and texture. To enhance flavor, use quality soy sauce and fresh ginger. Adding sesame oil brings a nutty taste. For more heat, include chili paste or fresh chili. You can also add lime juice or rice vinegar for a bright touch. Garnishing with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds adds color and crunch. Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking. Chop veggies and measure sauces ahead of time. This step cuts down on cooking time. You can use pre-cut vegetables if you’re in a hurry. Keep the heat high to cook quickly. Cook in batches if your skillet is small to avoid steaming and to get that nice stir-fry sear. Pro Tips Prep Your Ingredients: Having all your vegetables prepped and ready to go will make the cooking process smoother and quicker. Don't Overcook the Vegetables: Stir-fry the vegetables until they are tender-crisp to maintain their vibrant color and crunch. Adjust the Sauce to Taste: Feel free to modify the sauce ingredients according to your flavor preference, adding more soy sauce for saltiness or rice vinegar for tang. Garnish for Extra Flavor: Fresh herbs and sesame seeds not only enhance the dish's appearance but also add layers of flavor. {{image_4}} Adding protein to your Minute Lo Mein makes it heartier. You can choose chicken, tofu, or shrimp. - Chicken: Use cooked, shredded chicken. Add it during step four when you mix the noodles and veggies. - Tofu: Use firm tofu. Press it to remove water, then cut it into cubes. Sauté it in the skillet until golden. - Shrimp: Add peeled shrimp to the skillet with the veggies. Cook until they turn pink, about 3-4 minutes. Each option brings a different flavor and texture. Feel free to swap vegetables based on your taste. Here are some great options: - Broccoli: Cut it into small florets. Steam or sauté it with the other veggies for added crunch. - Bell Peppers: You can use yellow or green bell peppers. They add color and sweetness. - Zucchini: Slice it thinly. It cooks quickly and adds a nice texture. Mixing different veggies keeps the dish fresh and fun. Making Minute Lo Mein vegan or gluten-free is easy. - Vegan: Skip any meat and use tofu or a plant-based protein. Ensure your sauces are vegan-friendly. - Gluten-free: Choose gluten-free lo mein noodles or rice noodles. Check the soy sauce for gluten-free options. These changes keep the dish delicious and suitable for everyone. If you like heat, add some spice! Here are ways to kick it up a notch: - Chili Paste: Add a tablespoon to the sauce for a warm kick. - Sriracha: Drizzle some on top when serving for extra flavor. - Spicy Soy Sauce: Look for soy sauce with added spice or make your own by mixing soy sauce and chili oil. These sauces can transform your Minute Lo Mein into a spicy delight. To store leftover Minute Lo Mein, place it in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the dish to room temperature before sealing it. This helps keep the noodles fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. When you reheat leftovers, use a skillet or a wok. Add a splash of water or soy sauce to keep the noodles moist. Heat over medium heat and stir often. This ensures even heating and keeps the noodles from getting sticky. You can also use the microwave, but be careful not to overheat. To freeze Minute Lo Mein, first cool it completely. Then, divide it into portions and place each in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can last in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. It takes about 20 minutes to make Minute Lo Mein. You spend 10 minutes prepping and 10 minutes cooking. This quick time makes it perfect for busy nights. Yes, you can make Minute Lo Mein in advance. Cook it fully and store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. Just reheat it before serving. You can use various sauces to boost flavor. Soy sauce is a must for saltiness. Sesame oil adds a nutty taste. Rice vinegar gives a nice tang. You can also add chili paste for heat. Absolutely! Minute Lo Mein is great for meal prep. You can portion it into containers for easy lunches. This dish keeps well, and you can change up the veggies each time. Enjoy your meals throughout the week! In this blog post, I shared how to make Minute Lo Mein. We covered the ingredients, from essential to optional, and detailed step-by-step cooking instructions. I provided tips for cooking noodles and enhancing flavors. We explored variations for different tastes and discussed how to store and reheat leftovers. Remember, this dish is easy to customize. You can mix in your favorite proteins or veggies. With practice, you'll master Minute Lo Mein and enjoy it time after time. Happy cooking!

Quick & Zesty Minute Lo Mein

A fast and flavorful lo mein dish packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz lo mein noodles
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup snap peas
  • 1 unit red bell pepper, julienned
  • 3 unit green onions, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili paste (optional)
  • to taste unit sesame seeds for garnish
  • to taste unit fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Noodles: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the lo mein noodles and cook them according to the package instructions, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles well and set them aside in a bowl.
  • Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, quickly stirring them to avoid burning. Sauté these aromatics for about 30 seconds, or until they become fragrant and golden.
  • Stir-fry the Vegetables: Introduce the shredded carrots, snap peas, and julienned red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry the vegetable mix for 3-4 minutes, ensuring they remain tender-crisp for the best texture.
  • Combine Noodles and Veggies: Gently add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet, using tongs or a spatula to toss them with the vegetables. Mix thoroughly to ensure the noodles are well-integrated with the veggie medley.
  • Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chili paste (if you're including it for heat). Pour this flavorful sauce over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Stir-fry everything together for an additional 2 minutes so that the sauce evenly coats the noodles and heats everything through.
  • Finish with Green Onions: Once well combined and heated, remove the skillet from the heat. Gently fold in the sliced green onions, allowing their fresh flavor to balance the dish.
  • Serve and Garnish: Spoon the warm lo mein into bowls or plates, finishing them off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a few cilantro leaves for a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your quick and zesty lo mein immediately for the best experience!

Notes

Add chili paste for extra heat if desired.
Keyword lo mein, quick, vegetable stir-fry