Easy Beef Chow Mein Recipe

When it comes to quick and easy dinners the entire family will love, you can't go wrong with this beef chow mein recipe! It's a classic stir-fry recipe featuring tender beef, wide rice noodles, and crisp green oions tossed in a savory soy sauce. And the best part is that it can be ready an on the table in just 30 minutes!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

What Do I Need to Make This Beef Chow Mein Recipe?

Enjoy your favorite Chinese takeout dish at home with this easy recipe! All you need are a handful of simple ingredients to enjoy this quick and satisfying dish featuring a smoky wok hei flavor:

• Thinly sliced beef sirloin
• Soy sauce
• Wide rice noodles
• Vegetable oil
• Oyster sauce
• Sesame oil
• Garlic cloves
• Green onions
• Salt and pepper

Looking for more Asian-inspired recipes? Give these reader favorites a try!

Easy Pork Fried Rice Recipe | Easy General Tso Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer | Hoisin Meatballs with Pork and Beef

How Do I Make This Beef Chow Mein Recipe?

Once you whip up this quick and easy takeout copycat, you'll never want to order Chinese again! That's because it's so simple and easy to make. Just follow these five quick steps to enjoy fresh beef and noodles in under 30 minutes.

Step One: Marinate the Beef

Combine the thinly sliced steak pieces with one tablespoon soy sauce and a pinch of black pepper. Set the meat aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients for your dinner.

Step Two: Prepare the Noodles

Heat the rice noodles according to the package instructions. When they're finished cooking, strain them from the hot water and run the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step Three: Stir Fry the Beef

Add the vegetable oil to a large pan or wok and warm over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the beef and stir fry quickly until the meat is just browned. This should take two to three minutes. Once the beef is cooked, quickly remove it from the pan and set it aside.

Step Four: Add the Noodles

After taking the meat out of the pan, toss the garlic and green onions in. Stir fry for around 30 seconds, until fragrant, then add the rice noodles. Toss the noodles in the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil and continue cooking.

Step Five: Add the Beef

Return the beef to the pan with the noodles and stir mix everything together. Stir fry the beef and noodles for one to two minutes, until the beef is warmed through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with extra green onions before serving.

What is the Difference Between Beef Chow Mein and Beef Lo Mein?

Both beef chow mein and beef low mein are popular Chinese-American dishes featuring noodles. The difference between the two is how the noodles are prepared. While chow mein noodles are typically stir fried until they become crispy, low mein noodles are boiled and tossed with the other ingredients just before serving.

Beef Chow Mein Recipe Tips

Now that you see how simple it is to make your own Chinese takeout at home, you're going to want to make it all the time! These helpful tips and tricks will make the entire process that much easier.

• Use a large pan. To get the signature smoky flavor that comes along with traditional beef Chow Mein, it's best to use wok or very large pan. The large cooking area will ensure all the pieces of the dish are touching the pan as you stir fry.
• Cook over high heat. Another important trick to getting that classic Chinese flavor in every bite is to stir fry the ingredients over high heat for a short amount of time. This will allow you to quickly cook your beef and noodles, giving each piece a crispy sear on the edges.
• Prep before you cook. Since you'll be cooking each element of your stir fry quickly, it's best to have everything prepared and ready to go before you start frying. Make sure to measure out all your ingredients and have all the elements sliced in advance.
• Easily swap out the beef. Sirloin is a great option for a tender piece of steak in each bite. But you can easily swap the cut of beef out for your favorite variety. Flank or skirt steak is a budget-friendly option. Or use ground beef for a quick and easy replacement.

How to Store Beef Chow Mein

This easy beef dish is going to be a hit at dinner, so you probably won't have any left when your family is finished eating! But if you do have some extras, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. It's not recommended that you store this recipe in the freezer.

To reheat your beef chow mein, add it to a hot pan with a splash of water or oil to revive the noodles. You can also warm it up in the microwave, stirring halfway through the heating time.