Simple Beef Lo Mein Stir Fry

If you ask me, beef lo mein stir fry is comfort food at its finest.

This hearty dish brings together tender beef strips and chewy lo mein noodles in a savory sauce that hits all the right notes. Fresh vegetables add crunch while the soy-based sauce ties everything together with that classic takeout flavor.

It’s all cooked in one pan over high heat, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without the fuss. The beef gets a nice sear while the noodles soak up all those good flavors.

It’s a family-friendly meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, bringing restaurant-style lo mein right to your kitchen table.

What Kind of Beef Should I Use?

For lo mein stir fry, you’ll want to choose a tender cut of beef that cooks quickly over high heat. Flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye all work great because they stay tender when sliced thin and cooked fast. The key is to slice your beef against the grain into thin strips – this breaks up the muscle fibers and makes even tougher cuts more tender. If you’re on a budget, you can use a less expensive cut like chuck roast, but make sure to slice it extra thin and maybe marinate it for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Whatever cut you choose, let it come to room temperature before cooking so it sears properly instead of steaming.

Options for Substitutions

This stir fry is super adaptable, so here are some easy swaps you can make:

• Lo mein noodles: If you can’t find lo mein noodles, spaghetti or linguine work great as substitutes. You can also use ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet) or even rice noodles for a different texture.
• Beef: Feel free to swap the beef for chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust cooking times – chicken and pork cook similarly to beef, while tofu needs less time.
• Beef Better Than Bouillon: Regular beef bouillon cubes work fine (use 1 cube dissolved in the hot water), or you can use chicken bouillon if that’s what you have on hand.
• Vegetables: The veggie mix is totally flexible! Try bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or bok choy. Just keep the cooking times in mind – harder veggies like carrots need more time than leafy greens.
• Brown sugar: White sugar, honey, or maple syrup all work as sweeteners. If using honey or maple syrup, start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.
• Sesame oil: While sesame oil adds great flavor, you can skip it if you don’t have any. Just use a bit more regular cooking oil and maybe add a pinch of toasted sesame seeds at the end.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making beef lo mein is overcrowding your pan, which causes the beef to steam instead of getting that nice seared flavor – cook the beef in batches if needed and make sure your pan is hot before adding the meat.

Another common error is adding the noodles too early, which can make them mushy and clumpy – always cook your vegetables and beef first, then toss in the cooked noodles at the very end just to heat through.

To prevent your vegetables from turning into mush, add them to the pan in order of cooking time with carrots going in first, followed by onions, then broccoli and garlic last since they cook quickly.

Finally, don’t forget to have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking, because stir frying happens fast and there’s no time to chop vegetables once the pan gets hot.

What to Serve With Beef Lo Mein?

This beef lo mein is pretty much a complete meal on its own since it’s packed with noodles, beef, and plenty of veggies, but there are some great sides that make it even better. I love starting with a few crispy egg rolls or pot stickers for dipping in sweet and sour sauce – they add that perfect crunchy contrast to the soft noodles. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing helps cut through the richness of the stir fry and adds a refreshing bite. If you want something warm, try some steamed jasmine rice on the side, or keep it light with a basic mixed green salad tossed with sesame dressing.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Your beef lo mein will taste great for up to 4 days when stored in the fridge in an airtight container. The flavors actually get better overnight, so it makes an awesome meal prep option for busy weekdays. Just keep in mind the noodles might absorb some of the sauce, but that just makes them more flavorful!

Freeze: This stir fry freezes well for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags. I like to portion it out into individual servings so I can grab just what I need for lunch. The vegetables might be a bit softer after freezing, but the taste is still really good.

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftovers, heat them in a large skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen things up. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one. If the noodles seem dry, just add a little water or extra soy sauce while heating.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1450-1650
• Protein: 65-75 g
• Fat: 35-45 g
• Carbohydrates: 170-190 g

Ingredients

For the stir-fry:

• 1 lb beef, sliced thin
• 2 large carrots, cut into pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 8 oz cooked lo mein noodles
• Oil (olive or sesame, for frying)

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp beef better than bouillon
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Step 1: Make the Stir-Fry Sauce

• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp Beef Better Than Bouillon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp soy sauce

In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup boiling water with 1 tablespoon Beef Better Than Bouillon and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

Stir until both are fully dissolved, then mix in 3 tablespoons soy sauce.

Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare Ingredients

• 1 lb beef, sliced thin
• 2 large carrots, cut into pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

Slice the beef into very thin strips.

Cut the carrots and broccoli into approximately two-inch pieces.

Chop the onion and press or mince the garlic cloves so they’re ready for cooking.

Step 3: Cook the Beef

• 1 lb beef, sliced thin (from Step 2)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• oil (olive or sesame, for frying)

Heat a skillet over high heat and add a splash of sesame oil (you can add a bit of olive oil if you like a milder flavor).

Add the sliced beef and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown.

Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

• 1 large onion, chopped (from Step 2)
• 2 large carrots, cut into pieces (from Step 2)
• 2 cups broccoli florets (from Step 2)
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced (from Step 2)
• oil (olive or sesame, for frying)

Using the same skillet, add a bit more sesame oil if needed.

Sauté the chopped onions until they turn golden brown, then remove and set aside.

Next, add the carrots and cook until slightly softened.

Add the broccoli and sauté for about three minutes until just crisp-tender, then press the garlic into the mixture and stir well.

I like to use fresh garlic here because it really brightens up the whole dish.

Step 5: Combine Beef and Sauce with Vegetables

• cooked beef (from Step 3)
• sautéed onions (from Step 4)
• prepared sauce (from Step 1)

Return the cooked beef (from Step 3) and the golden onions (from Step 4) to the skillet with the vegetables.

Pour the prepared sauce (from Step 1) over the mixture and let everything simmer together for about 2 minutes so the flavors combine.

Step 6: Add Noodles and Finish the Stir-Fry

• 8 oz cooked lo mein noodles
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet.

Toss everything together until the noodles are well combined with the beef, vegetables, and sauce.

Drizzle in 1 teaspoon of sesame oil for extra flavor.

I always like to finish with a splash of sesame oil because it gives a wonderful aroma and authentic taste.

Step 7: Assemble and Serve

• beef and vegetable stir-fry with noodles (from Step 6)

Transfer the finished stir-fry into a large serving dish.

Toss well to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Serve hot and enjoy your homemade beef lo mein!

Simple Beef Lo Mein Stir Fry

Delicious Simple Beef Lo Mein Stir Fry recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 1550 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the stir-fry:

• 1 lb beef, sliced thin
• 2 large carrots, cut into pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 8 oz cooked lo mein noodles
• oil (olive or sesame, for frying)

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp Beef Better Than Bouillon
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup boiling water with 1 tablespoon Beef Better Than Bouillon and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Stir until both are fully dissolved, then mix in 3 tablespoons soy sauce. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
• Slice the beef into very thin strips. Cut the carrots and broccoli into approximately two-inch pieces. Chop the onion and press or mince the garlic cloves so they’re ready for cooking.
• Heat a skillet over high heat and add a splash of sesame oil (you can add a bit of olive oil if you like a milder flavor). Add the sliced beef and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and set it aside.
• Using the same skillet, add a bit more sesame oil if needed. Sauté the chopped onions until they turn golden brown, then remove and set aside. Next, add the carrots and cook until slightly softened. Add the broccoli and sauté for about three minutes until just crisp-tender, then press the garlic into the mixture and stir well. I like to use fresh garlic here because it really brightens up the whole dish.
• Return the cooked beef (from Step 3) and the golden onions (from Step 4) to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce (from Step 1) over the mixture and let everything simmer together for about 2 minutes so the flavors combine.
• Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles are well combined with the beef, vegetables, and sauce. Drizzle in 1 teaspoon of sesame oil for extra flavor. I always like to finish with a splash of sesame oil because it gives a wonderful aroma and authentic taste.
• Transfer the finished stir-fry into a large serving dish. Toss well to combine all the ingredients evenly. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade beef lo mein!