15-Min Beef Lo Mein Recipe

Beef Lo Mein is your new go-to 15-minute dinner—juicy ground beef, crisp veggies, and springy noodles tossed in a bold, savory sauce. It’s fast, satisfying, and seriously better than takeout. Skip the delivery and make this easy weeknight stir-fry at home!

Beef Lo Mein Recipe

Serves: 2 to 4
Prep time: 7 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes

For the stir-fry:
1 package (16 oz) lo mein noodles
2 tablespoons cooking oil, separated
1 large onion, sliced
2 cups cabbage
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup bean sprouts
3 stalks scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

For the beef:
1/2 pound ground beef
½ tablespoon soy sauce
½ tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon cooking oil

For the stir-fry sauce:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
3/4 cup chicken stock (or water)

Beef Lo Mein Instructions

1. Prep the ingredients:

• Cut the onion, cabbage, scallions, and mince the garlic. Set aside.

2. Season the beef:

• In a bowl, mix ground beef with soy sauce and dark soy sauce. Set aside.

3. Mix the sauce:

• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chicken stock (or water). Set aside.

4. Cook the noodles:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the lo mein noodles for about 3 minutes until al dente.
• Transfer noodles to a bowl of cold water to stop cooking, then drain thoroughly.

5. Cook the beef:

• Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a wok over high heat. Add the ground beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

6. Stir-fry the vegetables:

• In the same wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add onion and cabbage. Stir-fry for 1 minute until slightly tender. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Remove and set aside.

7. Combine everything:

• In the same wok, add noodles and stir-fry over high heat until heated through.
• Return beef, onion, cabbage, and pour in the sauce. Stir-fry for 1 minute until combined.
• Add bean sprouts and scallions. Toss briefly and serve hot.

Tips & notes

• Prep first: Stir-frying moves fast—have everything chopped and sauces mixed before you start.
• Use coleslaw mix: Save time by subbing sliced cabbage with a ready-to-use coleslaw mix.
• Noodle swaps: Can’t find lo mein? Use linguini, spaghetti, angel hair, or even ramen noodles.
• Rinse the noodles: Cold water rinse stops cooking and keeps noodles from sticking.
• Wok not required: A large nonstick or cast iron pan works great—just avoid crowding.
• High heat = wok hei: Always use high heat for that smoky, stir-fried flavor.
• Bean sprouts go last: Add right at the end for maximum crunch and freshness.
• Make it yours: Try with shrimp, chicken, beef strips, or tofu—this recipe is super flexible.