Are y'all like me when it comes to the craving department? When I am craving something I am CRAVING it. Do you feel me? Like can't-eat, can't-sleep, reach-for-the-stars, over-the-fence, World Series kind of craving (if you know that quote then I love you and your 90's soul deeply).
I cant get it out of my head and will obsess over it until my body is satisfied with whatever it desires. Sometimes it is really weird things like Cheese-Its - gasp, I know, I feel your judgment -- or little cutie oranges (see I told you weird). Or sometimes it is sushi (duh-always) or a big juicy burger! Well, the latest craving this month was Chinese food, which I think is weird because I am not a huge Chinese food person, especially Chinese takeout. The idea always sounds better than reality. The sticky, oily, heavy sauces wreck my stomach and I just can't do it.
So the solution? Try making it for myself. And y'all! I have eaten it every week for the last 4 weeks. I kinda surprised myself with how good it was. The best part is how fast it is to make! From chopping prep to eating - it all comes together in 20 minutes. That is my kind of meal!
The ingredients for Beef & Broccoli Chow Mein are minimal and simple, all of which can be found at your local grocery. The hardest thing for me to find was Chinese egg noodles. I didn't take the time to go to an Asian grocery store to get them (time for multiple grocery store stops is not all that available or desirable) however I found some good alternatives.
My Kroger sold Lo Mein noodles which worked great. I cooked about a handful (1-2 cups) for about 3 minutes and it was the perfect amount. You want to undercook the noodles because they will continue to cook in the skillet later. I also tried No Yolks Stir Fry Noodles. Since a traditional Chow Mein noodle is an egg noodle I figured this would be close enough and another convenient option and I was right! I added the whole bag to the recipe and in hindsight that was a little much (unless you're a noodle fan then have at it). I would go with half of the bag - 6 ounces - when making it so it isn't overpowered by so many noodles. Cook for 7 minutes, strain and you are good to go. Both options are great for whatever you to choose!
Some tips when making chow mein:
- Prep all ingredients before beginning to cook. This recipe cooks very fast and you don't have much time for prep work. Slice all your veggies and meat, cook the noodles, and make the sauce. That way everything is ready to go.
- Use a wok or cast iron skillet. Any heavy bottom pan is preferable and make sure to get the pan very hot before you start adding things in.
- Don't walk away. This needs your attention. It cooks in less than 10 minutes so it's no fuss, just don't leave it. Continue to stir and move things around to make sure it does not burn.
- Eat with chopsticks! Ok, you can have a fork as a backup if you need. 😉
Once your pan is nice and hot, add your steak and sear for 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan, add back into your bowl and add in the onions. You will saute the onions for 3-4 minutes, add in carrots, cook for another 3-4 minutes then toss in your broccolini and do the same. You want the veggies to be slightly soft and cooked through but still to have a nice crunch to them. Once they are ready, toss back in the cooked steak, cooked and drained noodles and sauce. Toss to combine and serve immediately. Easy as that!
The sauce is the perfect compliment to this Beef & Broccoli Chow Mein. It is just enough to lightly coat each bite but not heavy and greasy nor will it leave you feeling blah and gross after. It is just enough!
This will keep for up to 3 days but I highly doubt it will last that long. Be sure to watch the video down below for a full step by step cooking demo on how easy and fast this Beef & Broccoli Chow Mein comes together. I can't wait to hear how much you like it!
PrintRecipe
Beef & Broccoli Chow Mein
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
Description
This delicious beef & Broccoli Chow Mein will have you saying goodbye to Chinese take-out for good! Loaded with flavor and coated in a light sauce, this easy 20-minute meal will become a quick favorite.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 2 Teaspoons Sesame Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
- ¼ Teaspoon White Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger
- Pinch, Red Pepper Flakes
Chow Mein:
- 1 Pound Sirloin or Flank Steak
- 3 Carrots
- ½ White Onion
- 8 Ounces or 1 Package of Broccolini or ½ Head Broccoli
- 1-2 Cups Noodles (No Yolk Stir Fry Noodles (6 ounces) or Lo Mein Noodles)
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Stir until everything is dissolved and set aside.
- Prep all ingredients before beginning to cook.
- Place a large pot of heavily salted water to boil on the stove. Once boiling, add in noodles and cook just a minute or two. You want the noodles to be undercooked and still have a bite/chewy texture to them - they will continue to cook later. Strain and add to a bowl.
- Thinly slice ½ an onion. Peel carrots and slice into matchsticks. Trim ends of broccolini or broccoli. Thinly slice steak into long strips. Place all ingredients in their separate bowls.
- In a wok or cast iron skillet, heat over medium-high heat until very hot. Add a tablespoon or so of sesame oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Add in the steak to hot pan and stir continuously while cooking. Cook for 1-2 minutes then remove and place back in the original bowl.
- Immediately add in onions and saute until they are beginning to get soft and translucent (3-4 minutes). Add in carrots to skillet and continue to cook with onions for about 4-5 minutes until carrots are slightly soft.
- Add in broccoli to skillet and saute with onions and carrots for 2-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Add in steak, noodles, and sauce to the pan and toss liberally making sure everything is coated evenly in the sauce.
- Take off the heat and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 301
- Sugar: 7.3 g
- Sodium: 646 mg
- Fat: 10.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.1 g
- Fiber: 4.9 g
- Protein: 28.6 g
- Cholesterol: 78.4 mg
Heather Bilyeu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.