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Looking for a new and delicious way to enjoy shrimp? Try this shrimp lo mein recipe! It’s simple to make and sure to please everyone at the table. Shrimp Lo Mein is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. The shrimp are cooked in a flavorful sauce, and the noodles are tossed with vegetables. This dish can be ready in just 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for those times when you need a quick dinner option. Plus, it’s always a crowd pleaser!
What Is Shrimp Lo Mein?
Shrimp Lo Mein is a classic Chinese dish that’s made with shrimp, lo mein noodles, and vegetables. The key to making this dish is finding the right balance between all of the ingredients. The shrimp should be cooked just until they are slightly pink in color, while the vegetables should be tender-crisp. Once everything is cooked, the noodles are added to the sauce and tossed together.
What Is Shrimp Lo Mein
Ingredients
This recipe calls for two pounds of shrimp, one pound of lo mein noodles, and four cups of vegetables. You can use any type of vegetable you like in this dish; Lilianakitchen.com likes bell peppers, carrots, celery, and onions. For the sauce, you’ll need soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and cornstarch.
For the lo mein:
- Lo mein noodles: They are a type of egg noodle that is thick and round in shape also can be found frozen or fresh, and are usually yellow in color.
- Onion, carrot, celery, napa cabbage, green onion: These vegetables add texture and flavor to the dish.
- Garlic: Adds flavor and depth to the overall dish.
- Oyster sauce: This gives the lo mein a nice, salty flavor.
- Soy sauce: This adds saltiness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Dark soy sauce: This gives the lo mein a richer color and deeper flavor.
- Sugar: A bit of sugar helps to balance out the salty flavors in the dish.
- Shaoxing cooking wine: Adds a slightly sweet and earthy flavor to the lo mein.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor to the dish.
- Oil: Used to sauté the vegetables and shrimp.
For the shrimps:
- Shrimp: Use large, peeled and deveined shrimp for this recipe.
- Cornstarch: This will help to thicken the sauce and give it some body.
- Salt and pepper: To season the shrimp before cooking.
- Shaoxing cooking wine: Adds a slightly sweet and earthy flavor to the shrimp.
- Oil and cornstarch: To coat the shrimp before cooking.
What Kind Of Noodles Should I Use For Lo Mein?
For this recipe, you’ll want to use lo mein noodles. These are a type of egg noodle that is thick and round in shape also can be found frozen or fresh, and are usually yellow in color. You can buy them at most Asian grocery stores or online. You could also substitute with ramen noodles if desired.
How To Make Shrimp Lo Mein
There are a few steps to making shrimp lo mein, but they all come together quickly.
Marinate the shrimps:
- In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with the Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
Make the lo mein sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and cornstarch.
Make the shrimp lo mein:
- Bringing a pot of water to a boil, add lo mein noodles and cook according to package instructions. In the last 30 seconds, add vegetables. Drain the noodles with the vegetables and set aside.
- In a wok or large sauté pan over medium high heat, add enough oil to generously cover the bottom and sear marinated shrimps on both sides until golden and about 90 percent cooked (2 minutes per side). Remove shrimps from pan and set aside.
- Leave about 2 tablespoons of oil in wok/pan and remove excess oil if needed. Keep heat on medium high, adding garlic until fragrant (15-30 seconds).
- Cook the noodles in boiling water until they are tender but still firm, then drain them and set them aside.
- Add the vegetables to a heated wok or pan and stir fry for a few seconds. Then, drizzle Shaoxing rice wine around the perimeter of the pan and continue to stir fry for 15 to 30 more seconds.
- Add the shrimps back into the noodles and give the prepared sauce a good mix before pouring it over the noodles and shrimps. Stir fry everything together for a couple of minutes until everything is coated with sauce.
- Drizzle sesame oil into them and add green onions. Stir fry for another 30 seconds or so then transfer the shrimp lo mein to a serving plate and enjoy!
Tips For Cooking Shrimp Lo Mein Perfectly
- Use fresh noodles, if possible. Frozen or dried lo mein noodles will work too, but they won’t have the same texture and flavor as freshly cooked noodles.
- Make sure to use enough oil when stir frying the vegetables—you want them to be nicely coated with oil before adding in any sauces or seasonings.
- Make sure to cook the noodles just until they are al dente, as overcooked noodles will become mushy and unappetizing.
- Don’t forget to add some green onions! They add nice flavor and color to the dish.
- When adding the sauce, make sure to stir everything together really well to ensure that all the noodles and vegetables are coated.
- If you find that the lo mein is a bit too salty, try adding some sugar or honey to balance out the salty flavors in the dish.
Video how to make shrimp lo mein:
Do I Need A Wok For Lo Mein?
No, you don’t need a wok for this recipe. You can use any large skillet or pan to cook the noodles and shrimp. However, woks are great for stir frying because their shape helps to contain all of the ingredients in one place for easier stirring and tossing.
And if you do decide to buy a wok, make sure to season it properly before using. This will help prevent the food from sticking and give it a nice flavor!
What Vegetables Can I Use
When making shrimp lo mein, you can use any vegetables that you like. Popular choices include bok choy, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, and snow peas. You can also add in other ingredients such as bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts for a more interesting flavor profile!
Storage & Reheating
Shrimp lo mein can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply transfer the noodles into a microwave-safe bowl and heat until warmed through. Alternatively, you can also place them in a pan over medium heat and stir fry until heated through.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Shrimp Lo Mein Made Of?
Shrimp lo mein is a Chinese dish made with fresh noodles, shrimps, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. It’s usually stir-fried in a wok or large pan, but you can also use any large skillet.
What’s The Difference Between Shrimp Lo Mein And Shrimp Chow Mein?
The main difference between lo mein and chow mein is that lo mein noodles are boiled in water before being stir-fried, while chow mein noodles are fried. This gives the lo mein a softer texture compared to the crunchier chow mein.
What’s The Difference Between Lo Mein And Chow Mein?
The main difference between lo mein and chow mein is that the former is boiled in water before being stir-fried whereas the latter is fried. This gives lo mein a softer texture while chow mein has a crunchier texture. Additionally, some dishes may be labeled as “lo mein” but use fried noodles while others may be labeled as “chow mein” but use boiled noodles. It all depends on how the restaurant or chef prefers to prepare the dish.
Can I Use Dried Noodles To Make Shrimp Lo Mein?
Yes, you can definitely use dried noodles for this recipe. However, make sure to follow the package instructions when cooking the noodles. Some noodles may require longer cooking times than others, so it’s important to pay attention to this detail. Additionally, dried noodles will not have the same texture and flavor as freshly cooked ones.
What Is Lo Mein Sauce Made Of?
Lo mein sauce is typically made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and sometimes ginger. The ingredients are combined to create a flavorful coating for the noodles and vegetables. Different recipes may call for different ingredients or ratios of ingredients depending on the desired flavor profile.
Summary
If you are looking for an easy weeknight meal, shrimp lo mein is a great option. This dish can be made in just 30 minutes and it’s packed with flavor. Lo mein is a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with shrimp or chicken. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal and can easily be adapted to fit your taste preferences. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
- - SHRIMP LO MEIN
- lo mein noodles: 8 oz
- shrimp (large with tail on): 1 lb
- bell pepper: 1 large
- large carrot: 1
- broccoli: 2 cups
- large onion: 1
- garlic cloves: 4
- sesame oil: 3 tbsp
- - LO MEIN SAUCE
- sesame oil: 1 tsp
- hot water: 1/4 cup
- Beef Better Than Bouillon: 1 tbsp
- soy sauce: 3 tbsp
- brown sugar: 2 tbsp
Instructions
1. Start by preparing the ingredients for the dish. Peel and devein the shrimp, then season with salt and pepper. Cut the bell pepper, carrot, onion, garlic, and broccoli into small pieces.
2. Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. After a minute or two, add the shrimp and cook until lightly pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
3. Next, add 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan and add in the vegetables. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
4. Add the noodles to the pan with the vegetables and toss to combine.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients and pour over the noodles. Give everything a good stir so that the noodles are well coated in the sauce.
6. Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and fully combined.
7. Serve the shrimp lo mein hot and enjoy! Garnish with some sliced green onion or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- You can use any type of vegetables you like in this dish. Feel free to substitute or add more veggies if desired.
- If you want to make a vegetarian version of the dish, simply omit the shrimp and double up on the vegetables.
- For even more flavor, feel free to add some fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley before serving.
- Add some chili peppers to the dish for a spicy kick.
- Leftover shrimp lo mein can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
