Beef Chow Mein Takeaway Taste Homemade Goodness

Recipe Introduction

Ever get that craving for beef chow mein ? Honestly, I do. It's the perfect comfort food isn't it? That savory, umami flavour just hits the spot.

Let's ditch the takeaway and get cracking with this recipe.

Quick and Easy Beef Chow Mein Recipe

This homemade beef chow mein will become your new favourite. Think tender beef, perfectly cooked noodles, and a sauce that will make your taste buds sing.

It's easier than you think and tastes amazing!

Chow Mein 101

Chow mein originated in northern China. It translates to "stir fried noodles". This beef noodle stir fry recipe is medium difficulty, taking about 35 minutes total. It yields 4 servings.

Benefits of Homemade Goodness

This recipe is packed with protein and veggies. It's way healthier than the Chinese takeaway chow mein . It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together with mates.

What makes it special? The flavour, of course, and that you know exactly what's going into your beef chow mein sauce .

Grab Your Ingredients

Ready to make some magic? Let's start with the good stuff. Here's what you'll need for this cracking quick beef chow mein :

• For the beef marinade: 1 pound flank steak, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon white pepper.
• For the chow mein: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger, 1 medium onion, 1 cup shredded cabbage, 1 cup sliced carrots, 1 cup bean sprouts, 4 green onions, 1 pound chow mein noodles.
• For the sauce: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water.

Remember, if you don't have everything exactly, don't fret! There are plenty of beef chow mein variations you can try.

If you are missing some ingredients, you can substitute them. You can find similar ingredients at any market.

Let's Talk Equipment

You'll need a wok or large skillet. A large pot for the noodles is also essential. This will ensure your stir fried beef and noodles cook properly.

I hope this helps you. If you have questions, feel free to ask!

Ingredients & Equipment: Cracking on with Beef Chow Mein

Alright, so you fancy a go at making your own beef chow mein ? Brilliant! Here's the lowdown on what you'll need. We're talking simple, proper food here. No fancy dan ingredients, promise.

Main Ingredients: What You Need

• Beef Marinade:
  • 1 pound ( 450g ) flank steak, thinly sliced. Get a decent bit of beef. Marbling is your friend!
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) soy sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry).
  • 1 teaspoon ( 5ml ) cornstarch (corn flour).
  • ½ teaspoon ( 2.5ml ) ground ginger.
  • ¼ teaspoon ( 1.25ml ) white pepper.
• Chow Mein Proper:
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) vegetable oil.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced.
  • 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) piece of ginger, minced.
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced.
  • 1 cup ( 100g ) shredded cabbage (napa or green).
  • 1 cup ( 100g ) sliced carrots.
  • 1 cup ( 100g ) bean sprouts.
  • 4 green onions, chopped.
  • 1 pound ( 450g ) fresh or dried chow mein noodles (egg noodles). Beef chow mein with egg noodles ? Yes, please!
• The Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons ( 30ml ) soy sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) oyster sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) dark soy sauce (for colour).
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) sesame oil.
  • 1 teaspoon ( 5ml ) sugar.
  • ½ cup ( 120ml ) chicken broth (or water).
  • 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) cornstarch (corn flour), mixed with 2 tablespoons ( 30ml ) cold water.

Seasoning Notes: Flavour Central

Soy sauce is your base. It brings the umami. Oyster sauce? That's the secret weapon! It gives that Chinese takeaway chow mein taste.

Dark soy? Just a touch for that lovely colour. Honestly, don't skip it.

For a sub, more soy sauce and brown sugar works great. Chili flakes give it a cheeky kick. Feel free to adapt.

Essential Equipment: Keep it Simple, Stupid

You don't need much, promise.

• Wok or large skillet. Wok's best. But a big frying pan will do.
• Large pot for cooking noodles. Got one of those? Sorted.

A wooden spoon is handy too. But you knew that, didn't you? For serving homemade beef chow mein , chopsticks are always a fun touch.

I remember one time, trying to use chopsticks for the first time. Absolute disaster. I wanted to make beef noodle stir fry recipe , which ended up all over my shirt! It was delicious tho, not gonna lie.

Making easy beef chow mein recipe should be also fun, and doesn't need to be perfect. The goal is to taste awesome!

Beef Chow Mein: Takeaway Taste, Homemade Goodness

Craving that classic beef chow mein from your local Chinese? Honestly, who isn't? This recipe gives you all those familiar flavors, but with fresh ingredients.

It's dead easy and will totally hit the spot. Ready to ditch the takeaway and make some magic?

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission

First things first, prepping is key. It is important to get organized before you even turn on the hob. Slice that 1 pound (450g) of flank steak super thin against the grain, mind you.

Mix it with 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce, 1 tablespoon (15ml) Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry if you're posh), 1 teaspoon (5ml) cornstarch, ½ teaspoon (2.

5ml) ground ginger, and a dash of white pepper. Marinate this for at least 15 minutes. The essential mise en place is to get all your veggies chopped!

step-by-step: Wok This Way!

Alright, beef noodle stir fry recipe time! Follow these steps carefully:

1. Cook your 1 pound (450g) of chow mein noodles 'til they're al dente. Drain and rinse. No one likes mushy noodles, right?
2. Heat 1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil in your wok until it's smoking hot. Add minced garlic and ginger and stir fry for 30 seconds .
3. Toss in sliced onion, shredded cabbage, and carrots. Stir fry for 2- 3 minutes . They should be slightly softened.
4. Chuck in the beef and cook it all the way through. Remove from the wok.
5. Add noodles, bean sprouts, and beef back to the wok. Pour in your sauce and toss!

Pro Tips: Secret Wok Star Hacks

Want that Chinese takeaway chow mein flavor at home? One of the common mistakes to avoid is not using high heat.

Your wok needs to be screaming hot! This gives you that amazing wok hei flavor. Also, don't overcrowd the wok it’ll steam, not stir fry.

Seriously, this is key .

make-ahead options? You can totally prep the sauce and marinate the beef in advance. It'll save you time on those busy weeknights when that quick beef chow mein is calling your name.

The beef chow mein sauce can be made a day or two in advance and kept in the fridge.

Recipe Notes for Your Best Beef Chow Mein Yet

Right then, so you’re ready to tackle this beef chow mein ? Awesome! Before we get properly cracking, let's have a quick natter about a few things that'll help you nail it.

These are all the little tips and tricks, the bits I wish I'd known before I ended up with slightly soggy noodles that one time.

You know? Live and learn.

Serving Suggestions That'll Make You Drool

Okay, this is where you can get a bit fancy, even with something as simple as homemade beef chow mein .

Instead of just chucking it in a bowl (which is perfectly acceptable, mind you!), why not try plating it up a bit?

• Presentation is key! Serve it on a nice plate, garnished with extra chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Makes it look like you've really made an effort, even if it only took 35 minutes.
• Sides? Absolutely! A few crispy spring rolls or even some prawn crackers on the side never hurt anyone. Oh, and a cold Chinese beer is always a winner.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

Honestly, leftover beef chow mein never lasts long in my house. It's always polished off sharpish. But if you do find yourself with some remaining, here's what you need to know:

• Fridge time: Pop it in an airtight container and it'll keep happily in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezing? I wouldn't recommend it, as the noodles can get a bit mushy. But if you absolutely have to, make sure it's cooled completely before freezing.
• Reheating: Microwave is the quickest, but for the best flavour, give it a quick stir fry in a hot wok with a splash of oil. Stir fried beef and noodles will taste like new!

Variations: Making it Your Own

Fancy a tweak? You absolutely can! This recipe is super adaptable.

• Dietary Adaptations: Go gluten-free! Just use gluten-free soy sauce and rice noodles instead of egg noodles. Easy peasy.
• Seasonal Swaps: Veggies are where you can really play around. Use whatever's in season! Broccoli and bell peppers work like a charm.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Let's be real, it's not a salad. But this beef noodle stir fry recipe has got some good stuff going on.

• Roughly speaking, you're looking at around 550-650 calories per serving, with a good whack of protein from the beef, and some vitamins and fibre from the veggies.
• The protein will keep you going, and you're also getting the health benefits of ginger and garlic!

So there you have it! All my little tips and tricks for making the most awesome authentic beef chow mein at home.

Get stuck in, have a laugh, and enjoy! You've got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to store leftover beef chow mein? Can I freeze it?

Leftover beef chow mein can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out. Freezing is possible, but the noodles may become a bit softer upon thawing. For best results, consume within 2-3 months.

I'm not a whiz in the kitchen. Is this beef chow mein recipe really medium difficulty?

While this recipe isn't a piece of cake, even beginner cooks can nail it! The key is prepping everything beforehand chopping your veggies and having your sauce ready to go. Stir frying is fast, so a little organisation goes a long way. Think of it as your own little cooking challenge you've got this!

Can I make beef chow mein vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! For a vegetarian version, simply omit the beef and add extra veggies like mushrooms, broccoli, or bell peppers. For a vegan option, replace the beef with tofu or tempeh, and use a vegetarian or vegan oyster sauce substitute (or just use extra soy sauce with a touch of brown sugar).

Check the noodle ingredients to ensure they're egg-free too.

My beef chow mein always ends up a bit soggy. What am I doing wrong?

Sogginess is a common chow mein woe! Make sure your wok (or pan) is screaming hot before adding ingredients. Don't overcrowd it, cook in batches if needed, and ensure the noodles are cooked al dente they'll continue to cook in the sauce.

Lastly, don't add too much sauce at once; you can always add more but can't take it away!

What kind of noodles are best for beef chow mein, and can I substitute them?

Traditional chow mein noodles (egg noodles) are ideal. They have a great texture and soak up the sauce beautifully. If you can't find them, you can substitute with dried chow mein noodles or even spaghetti in a pinch. Cook any dried noodle according to the package instructions, remember to cook them al dente!

Can I adjust the sauce to make it spicier or sweeter in this beef chow mein recipe?

Definitely! Taste and adjust the sauce to your liking. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil. If you prefer a sweeter flavour, add a bit more sugar. Remember, you're the chef here put your own stamp on it. A dash of Chinese five spice is also a nice addition.