Um hello, you need this Steak Lo Mein recipe in your life, stat! This Chinese-inspired dish is loaded with big-time flavor, incredibly fresh, and insanely delicious. From start to finish, this lo mein noodle recipe comes together so easily. Sautéed vegetables like carrots, onions, mushrooms, and peppers combined with juicy steak and authentic lo mein noodles all enrobed in a flavor-packed umami sauce…whew!

steak lo mein in wok with serving utensils

It’s no secret how much I appreciate and am inspired by Asian cuisine. The flavors, the spices and the signature dishes are some of my top favorites to experiment with in the kitchen. My fried chicken wings are such a reader fave, these bao buns are ridiculous, and can’t forget my miso salmon– gah! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed how this steak lo mein dish came out.

There are no shortages of Asian markets in my city of Tampa, and perusing the aisles of them is where I reach flow state, ha. It’s sooo fun, y’all! Their noodle section, my goodness, I get lost in it all. That’s exactly how this steak lo mein recipe came to be…

black chopsticks holding steak lo mein over bowl

Steak Lo Mein! 🥩😛

We’re taking a wildly popular Chinese restaurant staple and making it homemade! There is no one way to make a lo mein recipe. You can play around with different proteins, vegetables, and much more. I’ve been obsessed with this beef lo mein version because it truly hits!

Furthermore, I think you’ll appreciate how incredibly simple yet restaurant-worthy this vibrant dish is! Saucy, glossy noodles paired up with equally drenched steak- get into it!

ingredients for steak lo mein in bowls

Ingredients You’ll Need Here:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • For the sauce– Potato starch (or cornstarch), water, soy sauce, shaoxing wine, brown sugar, five spice powder, white pepper, and sesame oil.
  • For the steak lo mein– Beef, oil, carrot, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, garlic, lo mein noodles, and scallions.

→ Big flavor galore, fragrant spices, noodles, plenty of veg with filling beef…this recipe is peak comforting goodness! 😮‍💨

cornstarch and water in glass bowl
mix the cornstarch & water
soy sauce lo mein mixture in glass bowl
…then add remaining ingredients
raw steak in glass bowl with sauce
marinate the steak
boiled lo mein noodles in saucepan
boil your noods

How To Make This Beef Lo Mein Recipe:

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

  • Prep the sauce. In a bowl, combine the starch and water. Whisk the mixture until combined and fully dissolved. Then add the remaining sauce ingredients and whisk the mixture again until well combined.
  • Season & marinate the beef. Add the sliced beef to a large bowl and cover with 2 tablespoons of the sauce and toss until the beef is fully coated. Then set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes- set the remaining sauce aside.
  • Boil lo mein. Cook the lo mein according to your package directions. Then drain and set aside.
cooked steak in wok
cook the steak
veggies in wok
sauté all the veg
sautéed veggies in wok
add the garlic
veggies, noodles, and green onions in wok
…then build the steak lo mein!

Building The Steak Lo Mein:

  • Cook the beef. In a wok or large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, working in batches, add the beef. Cook the beef, searing well until the beef is golden brown and slightly crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Then use a slotted utensil to transfer the cooked beef to a clean plate and set aside. Repeat the process until all the beef is seared.
  • Sauté the veg. Add the carrots, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper and cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes. Then add the garlic and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. 
  • Add beef & finish off stir fry. Return the beef to the pan, and add the cooked lo mein noodles, remaining sauce, and scallions. Stir-fry and toss the mixture gently until well combined and the noodles are glossy. Continue cooking until the sauce has thickened and creates a glaze over the beef, about 2-3 minutes or so.
steak lo mein in black wok with serving utensils

Serving Your Beef Lo Mein 🤩:

  • Serve. Remove the dish from heat. If you’d like, add a splash more of hot water or broth to loosen the lo mein sauce if you want it super saucy. Serve the steak lo mein expeditiously, and with an extra garnish of sliced scallions. Grab you some chopsticks (or a fork) and dig right on in 🤤!
steak lo mein in black bowl with chopsticks

Tips + Tricks & More Recipe Notes:

  • Where to source lo mein noodles: These noodles are readily available in Asian grocery markets in either the refrigerated section with the fresh noodles or in the freezer section. I love the pre-cooked Twin Marquis brand!
  • Lo mein substitute?: You can’t beat the magic of authentic lo mein noodles, but you can def use dried spaghetti in an absolute pinch. I recommend using *half* the amount of dried pasta, then boil until al dente before incorporating into the dish.
  • Types of beef: I use beef flap steak, typically for this steak lo mein recipe. However, flank, skirt, tenderloin and sirloin/top sirloin are all great choices as well. Be sure to slice against the grain with these cuts for tenderness.
closeup of beef lo mein on black platter

Skip the takeout, make this Steak Lo Mein dish and enjoy ya life. The flavors, the heartiness, and all the savoriness…mmm! Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

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steak lo mein in wok with serving utensils

Ridiculously-Good Steak Lo Mein

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  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese
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Description

Um hello, you need this Steak Lo Mein recipe in your life, stat! This Chinese-inspired dish is loaded with big-time flavor, incredibly fresh, and insanely delicious. From start to finish, this lo mein noodle recipe comes together so easily. Sautéed vegetables like carrots, onions, mushrooms, and peppers combined with juicy steak and authentic lo mein noodles all enrobed in a flavor-packed umami sauce…whew!

Ingredients

For the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon potato starch (or cornstarch)
  • ¼ cup water, plus more as desired
  • ¼ cup dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or rice vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon five spice powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

For the steak lo mein:

  • 1 lb beef sirloin flap steak, sliced into strips/wedges
  • 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil), plus more if needed
  • 1 large carrot, peeled & then cut into batons
  • 5 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 lb pre-cooked frozen lo mein noodles (I use Twin Marquis brand)
  • 6–8 scallions, thinly sliced- plus more for garnishing

Instructions

  1. Prep the sauce. In a bowl, combine the potato starch (or cornstarch) and water. Whisk the mixture until combined and fully dissolved. Then add the soy sauce, shaoxing wine (or rice vinegar), brown sugar, five spice powder, white pepper, and sesame oil. Whisk the mixture again until well combined.
  2. Season & marinate the beef. Add the sliced beef to a large bowl and cover with 2 tablespoons of the sauce. Toss the mixture well until the beef is fully coated. Then set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Set the remaining sauce aside for later.
  3. Cook beef. In a wok or large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, working in batches, add the beef- don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the beef, searing well until the beef is golden brown and slightly crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Then use a slotted utensil to transfer the cooked beef to a clean plate and set aside. Repeat the process until all the beef is seared, adding more oil in between batches- only if your pan is dry.
  4. Build the stir fry. With all seared beef set aside, if needed, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Then add the carrots, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper and cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes. Then add the garlic and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. 
  5. Boil lo mein. Meanwhile, on a separate burner, cook the lo mein according to your package directions- it should be no more than 3 minutes from frozen. Then drain and set aside.
  6. Add beef & finish off stir fry. Return the beef to the pan along with any residual juices that have collected, and add the cooked lo mein noodles, remaining sauce, and scallions. Stir-fry and toss the mixture gently until well combined and the noodles are glossy. Continue cooking until the sauce has thickened and creates a glaze over the beef, about 2-3 minutes or so.
  7. Serve. Remove from heat. If you’d like, add a splash more of hot water or broth to loosen the lo mein sauce, if desired. Serve the steak lo mein immediately with an extra garnish of sliced scallions. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Lo mein noodles: These noodles are readily available in Asian grocery markets in either the refrigerated section with the fresh noodles or in the freezer section. I love the Twin Marquis brand!
  2. Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.

Recipe by: Quin Liburd- Butter Be Ready

Photography by: Camera Eats First

steak lo mein on oval platter with utensils