Ground Beef Lo Mein 🍜🥩
A quick and flavorful one-pan meal made with tender noodles, savory ground beef, crisp vegetables, and a rich homemade lo mein sauce. Better than takeout and ready in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
For the Lo Mein
- 12 ounces lo mein noodles (or spaghetti, linguine, or ramen noodles)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup snow peas (optional)
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Homemade Lo Mein Sauce
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼–½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the Noodles
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions until just al dente.
- Drain and rinse briefly with cool water to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (if using)
Set aside.
3. Cook the Beef
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and onion.
- Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
4. Add the Aromatics & Vegetables
- Stir in the garlic and ginger; cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and snow peas.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Finish the Lo Mein
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet.
- Pour the sauce over everything.
- Toss gently for 2–3 minutes, until the noodles are evenly coated and the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in most of the green onions.
6. Serve
- Garnish with the remaining green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
- Steamed or fried dumplings
- Egg rolls or spring rolls
- Asian cucumber salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Hot and sour soup
- Edamame
Variations
- Spicy: Add 1–2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or sriracha.
- Extra Veggies: Add mushrooms, broccoli, bok choy, zucchini, or bean sprouts.
- Lower Carb: Use zucchini noodles or hearts of palm noodles instead of traditional noodles.
- Protein Swap: Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving, based on 6 servings)
- Calories: 465
- Protein: 27 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fat: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
Tips for Success
- Cook the noodles just until al dente so they don’t become mushy when tossed with the sauce.
- Use medium-high heat to quickly stir-fry the vegetables while keeping them crisp.
- Drain excess fat from the beef to keep the sauce balanced and prevent it from becoming greasy.
- Toss the noodles gently with tongs to coat them evenly without breaking them.
This Ground Beef Lo Mein is a satisfying, family-friendly meal with savory beef, colorful vegetables, and perfectly coated noodles—all made in one pan in under 30 minutes. 🍜🥢