Beef Chow Mein

Name: Beef Chow Mein
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 8 oz Chinese egg noodles; 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced; 6 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp oyster sauce; 2 tsp sesame oil; 1 tsp brown sugar; 2 tsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced; 2 carrots, julienned; 2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced; 1 cup bean sprouts; 4 green onions, sliced diagonally; 1/4 cup water, for sauce

Tender strips of beef stir-fried with crisp vegetables and egg noodles in a savory sauce. A classic Chinese takeout favorite made at home.

35 minMediumServes 4450 cal/serving

ChineseLunchStovetopStandardHigh ProteinPork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

8 oz Chinese egg noodles
1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
6 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
1 cup bean sprouts
4 green onions, sliced diagonally
1/4 cup water, for sauce

Instructions

1

Cook the 8 oz Chinese egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2

In a medium bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of soy sauce with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Add the 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and marinate for 10 minutes.
3

In another bowl, combine the remaining 6 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup for sauce water. Dissolve the remaining 2 tsp cornstarch into this mixture to create the sauce.
4

Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add half of the 2 tbsp vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan.
5

Add the marinated beef in a single layer and sear for 1-2 minutes without stirring. Then stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until beef is just cooked through. Remove beef from wok and set aside.
6

Add the remaining oil to the wok. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp grated fresh ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
7

Add 1 thinly sliced yellow onion, 2 julienned carrots, and 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften but are still crisp.
8

Return the beef to the wok along with the cooked noodles. Pour in the sauce mixture and toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
9

Add 1 cup bean sprouts and most of the 4 sliced diagonally green onions (reserve some for garnish). Stir-fry for another minute.
10

Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve immediately.

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Questions

How long should Beef Chow Mein marinate?

Step 2 reads: "Add the 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and marinate for 10 minutes." Follow the time in step 2. Shorter still seasons the surface. Much longer is not better with acidic marinades, which turn the outside of meat or fish mushy.

Is there a substitute for oyster sauce in Beef Chow Mein?

The entry for Beef Chow Mein calls for 2 tbsp oyster sauce. In its place: Hoisin thinned with a little soy sauce is the nearest shelf substitute, and a mushroom stir-fry sauce is the vegetarian one. Both are sweeter, so hold back any sugar in the recipe.

Can I use another cut instead of flank steak in Beef Chow Mein?

Flank, skirt, hanger and flat iron swap freely at the same weight. Slice whichever you use across the grain, or it eats tough. As written, the entry for Beef Chow Mein uses 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced.

Can I make Beef Chow Mein gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Beef Chow Mein is 8 oz Chinese egg noodles, 6 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Beef Chow Mein contain shellfish?

Yes: 2 tbsp oyster sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, eggs, soy, shellfish and sesame. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How much protein is in Beef Chow Mein?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 26 g of protein in about 450 calories, alongside 42 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 520 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein lunch collection.

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