Straightforward.
Quick.
DELICIOUS!!
This fast and simple lo mein vegan recipe got here collectively so effortlessly, I couldn’t WAIT to share it with you all. I really like vegan lo mein noodles or vegetable lo mein, as a result of it makes use of up all of the colourful veggies which might be lingering in my fridge. This stir fry contains only a few “will need to have” components. This vegan lo mein recipe is such a fantastic possibility for a quick and simple weeknight meal, but additionally excellent for a cocktail party. As considered one of my favourite dishes after I received out to Chinese language eating places, this straightforward vegan lo mein is now a go-to recipe in my rotation and I daresay it’ll now be considered one of yours!
So, with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Disclaimer: A number of the hyperlinks on this submit could also be affiliate hyperlinks for merchandise I exploit and love. Should you make a purchase order after clicking a kind of hyperlinks, I could earn a small affiliate fee, maybe sufficient to purchase some additional gochujang or gochugaru 🙂
What’s Conventional Lo Mein?
I all the time like to start with the literal translation of the title of any non-English recipe, so I’ll start there. Whereas I don’t declare to be a local speaker, I do know that “mein” refers to “noodles” (like in chow mein, which suggests “fried noodles”) in each Cantonese and Mandarin. The syllable “lo” means “stirred” or “tossed” in Cantonese and “tossed” or “dredged” in Mandarin. Therefore, “lo mein” refers to “tossed noodles” or “stirred noodles.”
Lo mein is an extremely widespread Chinese language dish that entails cooked noodles and stir-fried veggies. Usually, some kind of protein can also be added to the noodles to offer it that “foremost” power. I prefer to suppose that lo mein is to Chinese language delicacies what bibimbap is to Korean delicacies, since bibimbap actually interprets into “blended rice.” And, as with bibimbap, the perfect a part of a veggie lo mein recipe is that there are actually no guidelines on what can or can’t go into it–it’s meant to be an “empty the fridge” kind of dish.
Why You’ll Love this Lo Mein Vegan Recipe.
You will love this lo mein vegan recipe as a result of it’s:
- EASY
- NO-WASTE
- DELICIOUS
- HEALTHY
As I discussed, this straightforward vegan lo mein recipe comes collectively in minutes. Furthermore, whether or not you employ recent veggies or frozen greens, this lo mein vegan recipe is really one which’s designed to empty your fridge. It’s additionally completely delicious–I couldn’t imagine how yummy the savory sauce was, regardless of how simply all of it got here collectively. And eventually, with all of the fiber and antioxidants you’ll be getting from all of your veggies, this vegan veggie lo mein is a very nutritious showstopper.
Key Elements and Notes on Substitutions for Lo Mein Vegan Recipe.
Noodles.
Conventional lo mein noodles are not vegan. And by “lo mein noodles” I imply the “mein” a part of “lo mein.” The noodles for conventional lo mein are Chinese language egg noodles–therefore the stunning yellow shade. I’ve consulted with a lot of non-vegan lo mein recipes, all from Chinese language or Chinese language American cooks or cooks, and lots of of them recommend that you just don’t have to be puritanical about your noodles. In reality, one Chinese language American blogger steered utilizing spaghetti noodles (which, I can personally attest to, is considered one of my most popular substitutions for jjajangmyeon (which I grew up consuming)).
When it comes to type of noodle (apart from Chinese language egg noodles), conventional lo mein makes use of wheat noodles which might be often wider than chow mein noodles. Accordingly, for this lo mein vegan recipe, linguine noodles may also be a fantastic alternative for substitution. The nice factor is that Chinese language grocery shops and markets provide a wide selection of merchandise that includes a thicker noodle which you can choose on your lo mein. Most of them are additionally vegan noodles! For this lo mein vegan recipe, I picked up these alkaline wheat noodles from The Mala Market. The alkaline (oftentimes baking soda) helps to offer the noodles an analogous yellow tint to conventional lo mein noodles.
How about gluten-free noodles for this lo mein vegan recipe? Your greatest wager if you wish to hold this lo mein vegan recipe gluten free could be to go along with a rice noodle or perhaps a gluten-free pasta (I really like Jovial spaghetti for this recipe). I can not communicate to how a Chinese language grandmother may react to such a substitution (!), so please don’t make a video saying “hey I’m making conventional lo mein however substituting with rice noodles”! You do you in your individual gluten-free kitchen!
Elements for the Vegan Lo Mein Sauce.
The next are all of the components (and substitution recommendations) for the sauce that can go along with this lo mein vegan recipe:
- Mild (coloured) soy sauce: Mild (coloured) soy sauce (to not be confused with mild or low-sodium soy sauce) is definitely saltier than darkish or common soy sauce. It often has a cleaner, extra direct taste. Substitution recommendations: common soy sauce, gluten-free soy sauce, gluten-free tamari, coconut aminos, low sodium soy sauce, Yondu.
- Darkish (coloured) soy sauce: Darkish (coloured) soy sauce or common soy sauce will present slightly shade and dynamic taste (when paired with the sunshine soy sauce) for our vegan lo mein sauce. Substitution recommendations: common soy sauce, gluten-free soy sauce, gluten-free tamari, coconut aminos, low sodium soy sauce.
- Shaoxing cooking wine: Additionally spelled “Shao Hsing” cooking wine, this cooking wine is comprised of fermented glutinous rice. It is extremely much like the rice vinegar that’s usually utilized in Korean cooking. Observe that many manufacturers of Shaoxing are not gluten-free, as wheat is used within the fermentation course of. Substitution recommendations: rice vinegar, mirin, fruit ahead vinegar, dry sherry.
- Vegetarian Oyster (mushroom) sauce: Oyster sauce (the non-vegan type) is a standard ingredient in lots of lo mein recipes. Fortunately, there’s a vegetarian (and vegan) model that’s available at many Asian markets or on-line. Substitution recommendations: hoisin sauce, gluten-free hoisin, gluten-free vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Sugar. This lo mein vegan recipe requires slightly sweetness and I simply went with straight up sugar, since that’s what was in all the standard lo mein recipes I consulted. Substitution recommendations: brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, agave syrup, a pair mashed up dates.
- White Pepper. I noticed a ton of recipes for conventional lo mein that additionally included white pepper, which is a hulled and ripe model of the prevalent black pepper. White pepper has a bit extra umami and fermented taste than its black counterpart, which is why it usually exhibits up in Chinese language dishes. Substitution recommendations: black pepper.
- Corn Starch. The overwhelming majority of conventional lo mein recipes used slightly corn starch to offer the sauce a little bit of thickness so this lo mein vegan recipe will do the identical. Substitution recommendations: potato starch, arrowroot powder, tapioca starch.
Tofu.
Most lo mein recipes embrace some kind of protein. After I was not vegan, I used so as to add rooster or beef to my lo mein. For this lo mein vegan recipe, I opted for protein as a result of I had some in my fridge (it’s an empty your fridge recipe!). Particularly, I had some inari or yubu–fried tofu pores and skin that’s used for yubuchobap (I generally name them “tofu pockets”). I merely sliced a complete bunch up and threw them in with my stir-fried veggies.
When it comes to substitution concepts for the protein for you lo mein vegan noodles, you possibly can just about go along with no matter vegan protein you want for this lo mein vegan recipe. You’ll be able to all the time fry up or bake some tofu in order for you a crispier texture. Should you’re like me and don’t need to cope with cooking the tofu, you can too go along with pre-baked tofu (this teriyaki taste will pair properly with the sauce). You might additionally go along with vegan rooster or soy curls that you just stir fry with the remainder of your veggies. And naturally, you possibly can nix the protein altogether and hold this a veggie solely lo mein!
Greens.
In true empty your fridge type, listed below are all of the greens I included on this lo mein vegan recipe:
- Broccoli (together with the stems, that are excellent for this recipe)
- Bamboo
- Lotus root
- Pink onion
- Candy peppers
- Inexperienced cabbage
- Bean sprouts
- Potato (I imply, I couldn’t assist myself)
- Snow peas
- Garlic
- Carrot
These are a lot. You might in all probability get away with simply selecting 3 or 4 of those greens and doubling the quantity for this lo mein vegan recipe. However I actually wished to go along with one thing that may give this lo mein vegan recipe loads of shade and texture. My level is, you are able to do this with a number of greens or with a metric f***ton of them 🤣 When it comes to substitutions, go along with what you bought in your fridge!!
Vegetable Broth.
Vegetable broth is employed to maintain the noodles good and slippery for this lo mein vegan recipe, one thing emphasised by EVERY single Chinese language prepare dinner whose recipe I consulted. Substitution recommendations: heat water.
Sesame Oil.
Slightly sesame oil on the very finish offers this lo mein vegan recipe slightly lustre and richness.
Chili Oil (Non-compulsory).
I really like slightly chili oil on nearly each noodle dish, together with this lo mein vegan recipe, so I drizzled slightly bit excessive of mine.
Suggestions for Lo Mein Vegan Recipe (READ BEFORE COOKING!!!).
I’ve heard extra instances than I can rely “I really like lo mein however mine all the time seems not nice :(” There are a few frequent errors individuals make when attempting to recreate their favourite Chinese language takeout dish. Let’s focus on a few of them right here:
Uniformly and Thinly Sliced Greens. To be able to be certain that your greens are absolutely cooked, you have to be certain that they’re uniformly and thinly sliced. I prefer to julienne all my greens with the intention to make them simpler to slurp with my noodles.
Put together All Parts IN ADVANCE. As you’ll see within the step-by-step directions beneath, you need to prepare dinner your noodles fully and whisk your sauce earlier than you begin stir-frying. Why? As a result of all of it comes collectively in a short time AND you’ll need your palms to proceed stirring and tossing to forestall sogginess. Have all of your components inside arms’ attain (together with the water and/or veggie broth!) earlier than you flip that range on!
Get Your Cooking Oil HOT! The worst factor you are able to do will not be sufficiently warmth your oil earlier than including your veggies. When you add your veggies to not-yet-hot oil, they’ll take too lengthy to prepare dinner and as an alternative of getting good and crisp, they’ll simply be soggy and oily. Therefore, I like to recommend utilizing a wok for this lo mein vegan recipe (which is so nice for preserving issues sizzling!).
Fixed Stirring. Because the title “stirred” or “tossed” noodles suggests, each the greens and noodles have to be repeatedly tossed and stir-fried with the intention to forestall sogginess. This isn’t a kind of recipes the place you possibly can simply let your veggies “prepare dinner” whilst you stroll away. NOPE. That’s the way you get soggy lo mein.
Add Veggie Broth or Water to Noodles. To be able to keep away from clumpy, sticky noodles, you need to just be sure you separate them whereas they’re cooking in boiling water (not after!). In the event that they’ve clumped up a bit after they’ve cooked (however earlier than you’ve added them to the stir fry), loosen them up with slightly oil or heat water. After including them to the stir-fry, add veggie broth or heat water to ensure the noodles don’t stick collectively whereas stirring.
Step-by-Step Directions for Making This Lo Mein Vegan Recipe.
Cook dinner your noodles in accordance with bundle directions (mine required about 6 minutes in boiling water). Give them a superb rinse below chilly water to maintain them from overcooking. Set them apart.
Whereas the noodles are cooking, make the sauce by whisking collectively the 2 totally different soy sauces, vegetarian oyster sauce, Shao xing cooking wine, sugar, white pepper, and corn starch in a small bowl.
When the noodles are accomplished, add oil to a wok or giant, deep skillet over medium-high warmth. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onion and garlic and sauté till aromatic (round 2 minutes). Subsequent add the carrots, broccoli, potato, and lotus roots. Proceed sautéing till the carrots and broccoli begin to flip very vibrant (round 3 minutes). Subsequent, add the cabbage, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, tofu, candy pepper, and snow peas. Proceed sautéing till bean sprouts start to show translucent (round 2 minutes).
Decrease your warmth to low and add the cooked noodles to your wok, collectively along with your sauce. Stir vigorously to make sure that every part is nicely mixed and evenly coated. Your noodles will doubtless be slightly dry so add 1/4 cup of the veggie broth whilst you proceed to stir. Proceed including extra vegetable broth, 1/4 cup at a time, till the noodles are slick (not sticky). Take away from warmth and drizzle with sesame oil and chili oil (if utilizing).
Steadily Requested Questions.
What’s the distinction between lo mein and chow mein?
Lo mein makes use of a thicker noodle, whereas chow mein makes use of a thinner noodle. As well as, chow mein can check with noodle dishes that use fried noodles within the recipe.
What do I do with the leftovers for this lo mein vegan recipe?
Leftovers could be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. To reheat, merely place within the microwave for a pair minutes or stir-fry them with slightly vegetable broth.
What sort of noodles ought to I exploit for lo mein?
Conventional lo mein makes use of Chinese language egg noodles. You should buy them recent or dry and even precooked and frozen. You could find a number of kinds of noodles which might be nice for lo mein recipes which might be additionally egg free (and vegan).
Need Extra Nice Noodle Recipes?
I received you. Take a look at the next:
Recipe Card.
Straightforward & Wholesome Lo Mein Vegan Recipe.
A easy, scrumptious, and nutrient packed recipe for this traditional Chinese language noodle dish!
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Cook dinner your noodles in accordance with bundle directions (mine required about 6 minutes in boiling water). Give them a superb rinse below chilly water to maintain them from overcooking. Set them apart.
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Whereas the noodles are cooking, make the sauce by whisking collectively the 2 totally different soy sauces, vegetarian oyster sauce, Shao xing cooking wine, sugar, white pepper, and corn starch in a small bowl.
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When the noodles are accomplished, add oil to a wok or giant, deep skillet over medium-high warmth. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onion and garlic and sauté till aromatic (round 2 minutes). Subsequent add the carrots, broccoli, potato, and lotus roots. Proceed sautéing till the carrots and broccoli begin to flip very vibrant (round 3 minutes). Subsequent, add the cabbage, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, tofu, candy pepper, and snow peas. Proceed sautéing till bean sprouts start to show translucent (round 2 minutes).
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Decrease your warmth to low and add the cooked noodles to your wok, collectively along with your sauce. Stir vigorously to make sure that every part is nicely mixed and evenly coated. Your noodles will doubtless be slightly dry so add 1/4 cup of the veggie broth whilst you proceed to stir. Proceed including extra vegetable broth, 1/4 cup at a time, till the noodles are slick (not sticky). Take away from warmth and drizzle with sesame oil and chili oil (if utilizing).
- Make certain to take a look at the Key Elements & Substitutions part above in order for you recommendations on substitutions! 🙂
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Energy: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 15gFats: 14gSaturated Fats: 2gPolyunsaturated Fats: 4gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 0.03gSodium: 725mgPotassium: 495mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 3162IUVitamin C: 70mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 4mg
Observe: Dietary info is supplied on your comfort. It ought to solely be thought-about an estimate that may range enormously relying on a mess of things (e.g. additions, subtractions, quantity and kind of oil used, and so forth.)
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