Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Prajakta Sukhatme · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

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Vegetable Lo Mein noodles is a classic Chinese noodles recipe full of colorful veggies and tossed in an easy sauce. No need for take out when you can make your own in just 20 minutes!

I am including instructions to make these vegan lo mein on the stove top as well as in electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (1)

Similar to Chili Garlic Noodles and Stir Fry Rice Noodles , this is my favorite noodles recipe. Easy, scrumptious and family favorite.

Jump to:
  • Better than take out
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • What are the benefits of cooking noodles in Instant Pot?
  • Serving Suggestions
  • FAQ
  • Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles – Instant Pot Recipe

Better than take out

P.F. Chang’s, Panda Express and similar Chinese restaurants whip out some amazing lo mein noodles. I absolutely love these noodles for a quick and easy meal.

But time it takes to get out of the house and pick up the food or the time it takes for these places to deliver the food seems like eternity.

By the time food comes, kids and I often end up eating whatever is around and that’s not good.

So I keep a few wonderful recipes that can be done in 20 minutes or so in my repertoire. These easy and quick recipes are life ( hunger) saviors since they are no fuss too.

Plus they match the flavors and taste of takeout. You control the quality of ingredients , don’t have to worry about MSG or other hard to pronounce filler ingredients. Clean healthy eating made easy !

The beauty of these recipes is simplicity and versatility. You can get going with basic pantry ingredients and then mix and match with whatever you have in refrigerator… 20 minutes of chef show and dinner is served !!

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (2)

So my friends, let’s put your chef’s hat on and let’s get cooking these Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles.

Ingredients

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (3)

How to make

Prepare Noodles : The first step is to boil your noodles. I used spaghetti noodles, but you can really use any long noodle – linguine, Hakka noodles, Asian rice noodles, use any that you have handy.

Make The Sauce : While the noodles are boiling, gather ingredients to make that lip smacking yummy sauce. Most of the ingredients for the sauce can be found in the major grocery stores, Asian food markets or Amazon.

Prep the veggies: I like a little crunch in my lo mein noodles, so I add in some colorful veggies. Cut these veggies thin. So they cook quickly. A quick sauté/ stir fry is all you need to do.

Mix it all together : Adjust the seasoning and you are done !! Vegetable lo mein are ready to be devoured!!

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What are the benefits of cooking noodles in Instant Pot?

  • I love cooking noodles and pasta in Instant Pot. It is so much simple and easier. First only one pot is used in cooking. So easier clean up afterwards.
  • Additionally, it saves time and efforts since no need to boil the water and noodles, stir the noodles, drain the water etc. You are saving time by cooking everything in a single pot without monitoring it.
  • Pasta and noodles cooked in Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker are very moist and soft. They tend be little more stickier than traditionally cooked noodles.
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Variations

  • These lo-mein noodles are great served warm, cold or at room temperature.
  • Looking for a little more protein? Add in your favorite like tofu, seitan, eggs, chicken or shrimp.
  • Don’t like the veggies I used ? Substitute your favorites. Just try to cut them even and thinly sliced so they cook well.
  • What if you don’t have all the sauces ? You can skip a few like rice vinegar by using lemon juice instead. You can use any other Chinese stir fry sauce or even Teriyaki sauce.

Serving Suggestions

I serve my lo mein noodles with a side of Chili Garlic Edamame for a lunch or dinner that’s authentic and satisfying. A side of Chinese Spicy Eggplant or Miso Glazed Grilled Veggies is wonderful too.

You can also serve it with a side of kung pao tofu or smoked tofu for wholesome filling meal.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (6)

Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

  • Hibachi style Fried Rice – yet another better than take out meal.
  • Thai Red Curry – easy weeknight meal
  • Massman Curry – Vegan and wholesome curry
  • Curry Fried Rice – delicious one pot meal.

FAQ

What is the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein ?

We hear both these terms used interchangeably every so often. The primary difference is in the cooking technique of how these noodles are prepared. Chow Mein are crispy crunchy noodles since they are fried. Lo mein, on the other hand, are soft and tender since they are boiled.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (7)

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If you make this INSTANT POT VEGETABLE LO MEIN Recipe, do let us know how you like it by star rating it and leaving a comment below.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (8)

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles – Instant Pot Recipe

Prajakta Sukhatme

Instant pot Vegetable Lo Mein noodles are easy to make at home. This 20 minute Chinese noodles recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners and tastes better than take outs.

4.62 from 137 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course dinner

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 6 cups

Calories 236 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Lo Mein Sauce Ingredients :

Optional Toppings / Garnishes

Instructions

INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS :

  • Press SAUTE button on the InstantPot. Add sesame oil to the inner pot of the Instant Pot and give it a swirl so the oil coats the bottom.. Add ginger and garlic and all the veggies. Sprinkle some salt. Stir and cook for few minutes till veggies are softened and tender. Cancel SAUTE. Remove the veggies and set aside.

  • Add water or broth to the inner steel insert. Deglaze the pot by scraping the bottom. Spread noodles across the bottom of the pot. Add all the listed sauce ingredients. Give the mixture a good stir. Close the lid. Valve at sealing position.

  • Choose MANUAL, high pressure, 4 minutes.

  • When Instant Pot is done cooking, do a quick release by moving the valve from sealing to venting. After the silver pin drops, carefully open the lid.

  • Stir the noodles few times, breaking up any that may have clumped together during cooking. Add back the earlier sautéed veggies.

  • Initially, your noodles will look watery. While stirring, you should see that noodles are absorbing the water. Stir well. Check and adjust the seasoning.

  • Scoop out the noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds and serve warm.

Notes

  1. If the noodles look wet after cooked, turn the sauté mode and cook for few minutes so water evaporates.
  2. Take the steel insert out of the instant pot once cooked, so the noodles don’t overcook.
  3. Adjust the sauces to your taste when serving.
  4. do not do the natural release as it will cause your food to overcook).
  5. This noodles recipe is very versatile, you can change the vegetables and sauces to your preference.

How to Make Lo Mein Noodles on Stove Top?

Cook noodles according to package instructions. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet. Add in cut veggies. Sprinkle a pinch of salt. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add in minced garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute. Stir in the sauce ingredients and cooked noodles and toss to combine. Serve immediately with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 11gFat: 10gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 736mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Did you make this recipe?Mention @ProfusionCurry or tag #ProfusionCurry!

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you soak lo mein noodles before cooking? ›

Soak your lo mein noodles in hot boiling water for 15-20 seconds just until loosened. Strain immediately. In a large skillet or large wok, on medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Add carrots, red bell pepper, snow peas, mushrooms and napa cabbage.

What's the difference between stir fry noodles and lo mein noodles? ›

The process of stir-frying fully cooks the noodles along with the remaining ingredients. In contrast, lo mein noodles are completely cooked before getting mixed in with the meat, vegetables and sauce. Instead of getting stir-fried, the lo mein ingredients are lightly mixed and tossed.

How do you keep lo mein noodles from sticking to the pan? ›

How do you keep lo mein noodles from sticking? Keep stirring so that the noodles do not have a chance to come into contact. Drain when cooked and immediately immerse into ice chilled water. Then quickly blanch to reheat.

Why are lo mein noodles so good? ›

Lo mein noodles have a higher hydration and are thicker which makes them chewier and more plush. Chow mein noodles are thinner, drier, and crisp up more because they have a lower hydration. After cooking, lo mein noodles are soft and supple and chow mein noodles are springy and chewy.

What is lo mein sauce made of? ›

3. Mix the Lo Mein stir fry sauce. Premix the stir fry sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, water, cornstarch and msg if using. The oyster sauce and Shaoxing wine will the sauce that restaurant quality umami that is so delicious!

Why are my lo mein noodles mushy? ›

Things go fast, and you don't want to overcook the noodles. Once done, remove the lo mein from the boiling water right away, and drain. Don't wait, or the noodles may become overcooked and mushy. Rinse your drained noodles under cold water after cooking.

Are lo mein noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Lo mein, meanwhile, is typically made with egg noodles, which are a better option than traditional white pasta thanks to an extra protein boost from the yolk. Its downside is the sky-high sodium from the soy sauce that the noodles are swimming in, but that's an easy problem to solve.

Are lo mein noodles just spaghetti? ›

While spaghetti noodles can be used as a substitute in a pinch, the texture and flavor will be different. Spaghetti is firmer and has a different wheat base, which may not absorb Asian sauces as well as lo mein noodles.

What is healthier fried rice or lo mein noodles? ›

Lo Mein is a healthier option than Fried Rice for a variety of reasons. For starters, it can be a good source of protein, especially when combined with lean proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. Protein is necessary for muscle building and repair, as well as for keeping you full for longer periods of time.

What do you add to noodles to make them not stick? ›

Like greasing a sticky door hinge, the natural solution would seem to be oil - either adding a bit to the pasta's water while it cooks or to the pasta itself.

How to stop noodles from going soggy in stir fry? ›

Be careful not too overcook the noodles — it's better to slightly undercook than over cook. Drain the noodles: Rinse the noodles with cold water. Drain the noodles and shake the strainer a few times to get the noodles as dry as possible.

What is the difference between Chinese Lo Mein and American Lo Mein? ›

American lo mein consists of stir fried noodles with a thick soy-based sauce, vegetables, and meat or seafood. Cantonese lo mein has a thinner sauce that is stirred into the noodles, which are topped with wontons or brisket.

What does PT mean in Chinese food? ›

Most Chinese restaurants sell dishes a la carte in pints or quarts. If you didn't know (I had to look it up), a quart equals two pints, and many restaurants sell the bigger serving at a slight discount.

Do you soak noodles before cooking? ›

Pasta Cooking Method: Soak and Cook for One Minute

Soak the pasta strands for 90 minutes to give the noodles time to absorb the moisture without activating the starches. The pasta is pliable but not gummy. Bring water to a boil and cook the soaked noodles for 1 to 2 minutes.

How long to soak Chinese noodles in water? ›

Use hot water, and I mean off-the-boil, and soak the large size for 4 minutes, the medium size for 3 minutes, and the small size for 2, and immediately drain and rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking.

What happens if you don't soak rice noodles? ›

Do I need to soak my rice noodles before stir frying? You will need to soften dried noodles before stir frying by soaking them in boiling water. Fresh rice noodles, available at Asian grocery stores, do not need to be soaked before adding to your stir fry, as they will cook during frying.

References

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