Ground Beef Lo Mein

A quick and easy weeknight meal featuring glossy noodles tossed with seasoned ground beef, crisp vegetables, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce. This homemade takeout-style dish is budget-friendly, customizable, and ready in under an hour.

Equipment

• large pot
• large skillet, wok, or Dutch oven
• tongs

Ingredients

• 12 ounces lo mein noodles
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil (such as avocado, canola, or vegetable oil)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup thinly sliced bell pepper
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the lo mein noodles according to package directions until just tender. Drain well and toss with the sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. Whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust sweetness or heat as desired.
3. Heat a large skillet, wok, or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the neutral cooking oil, followed by the ground beef. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces. Drain excess grease if necessary.
4. Add the sliced onion to the beef and stir-fry for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the carrots, bell pepper, and cabbage. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften slightly but retain crunch.
6. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet. Pour the sauce over everything and use tongs to toss the noodles with the beef and vegetables for 2–3 minutes until heated through and coated. Add a splash of water or broth if dry.
7. Stir in the sliced green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, optionally topped with sesame seeds or chili oil.

Notes

Do not overcook the noodles to prevent mushiness. Use high heat for stir-frying and avoid overcrowding the pan. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free noodles and certified gluten-free sauces. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days and reheated in a skillet with a splash of water.