Easy Vegetable Lo Mein

This simple vegetable lo mein recipe is filled with colorful vegetables, tender noodles, and a savory homemade sauce. This easy recipe is satisfying and healthy, perfect for a weeknight meal.

I love this recipe because you can use basic pantry and freezer staples to create a delicious meal in about 15 minutes! It’s quick and easy, filled with vegetables, and much healthier than takeout. If you’re looking for other quick and easy dinner recipes, be sure to try my coconut curried noodle bowls and my 15 minute vegetable curry.

What is vegetable lo mein?

Vegetable lo mein is a Chinese stir-fried noodle dish made with vegetables and cooked pasta. The vegetables can vary but this dish usually includes carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and snow peas. The dish is typically seasoned with a savory sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. It’s easy to make and great for a healthy, quick dinner!

What is the difference between lo mein and vegetable chow mein?

Vegetable chow mein features partially cooked, crispy noodles stir-fried with vegetables. The dish has a drier texture and a distinct separation between the noodles and other ingredients. Whereas vegetable lo mein consists of fully cooked, soft noodles tossed with vegetables and sauce resulting in a tender and chewy texture with a saucier dish.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Noodles– Traditionally, vegetable lo mein is made with egg noodles like these. But you can use regular spaghetti or other long noodles like linguine. I used whole wheat noodles for extra protein.
• Vegetables– Lo mein vegetables usually include bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and snow peas. I used a frozen stir-fry vegetable mix but you can customize it with your favorite vegetables.
• Avocado oil- The vegetable oil is used for stir-frying the vegetables and noodles. It helps to prevent sticking and adds a mild flavor to the dish. You can substitute it for other neutral oils like canola or peanut oil.
• Grated ginger– If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use ground ginger as a substitute. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger instead of the 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger.
• Soy sauce– Soy sauce is a key ingredient that adds a savory, umami flavor to the dish. It provides the salty base for the sauce. If you prefer a gluten-free version, you can use tamari sauce or liquid aminos instead.
• Hoisin sauce– Hoisin sauce adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the vegetable lo mein. It balances the savory notes and adds a touch of richness.
• Garlic– Freshly minced garlic enhances the overall flavor of the dish with its subtle garlic taste. If you prefer a more mild garlic flavor, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute.
• Sesame oil– Sesame oil is used as a finishing touch to add a rich and nutty flavor to the vegetable lo mein. If you don’t have sesame oil, you can omit it. I like using toasted sesame oil which has a stronger flavor.

What’s the best noodle for lo mein?

Lo mein is traditionally made with wheat-based egg noodles. You can typically find them in the Asian section of your local grocery store, at an Asian market, or on Amazon. If you can’t find lo mein noodles, you can substitute them for spaghetti or linguine noodles as they have a similar thickness and texture. I used whole wheat spaghetti noodles to add a little more protein and fiber to this dish.

Vegetable Lo Mein Protein Options

If you want to add a little more protein to this dish, try adding this seasoned tempeh! Or serve it with a side dish of my air fryer edamame for a quick and easy way to add lots of plant-based protein. It’s so easy but so delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is vegetable lo mein usually vegan? This dish is traditionally made with egg noodles which are not vegan. Some versions also use oyster sauce or fish sauce. But my version of lo mein is vegan.
• Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes! Just use gluten-free pasta and be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce. I like Bragg’s liquid aminos, which is a great gluten-free substitute.

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