Today, I will share a recipe for vegetarian chow mein with you. This recipe is loved in many households. There are several ways to make it, but I will tell you my personal and easy recipe. You will enjoy making it, and it’s so simple that you can easily prepare it at home.
Contents
Key Ingredients For Recipe
- 1 cup button or cremini mushrooms, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 3 sticks green onion, roughly chopped
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/4 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup snow peas, tough strings removed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 generous tablespoon hoisin sauce
- Splash of toasted sesame oil
- Ramen noodles (or your favorite noodles)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- Olive oil
Instructions To Make Vegetarian chow mein recipe
Step 1
First, prepare the noodles. Take a bowl and fill it with water. Set the bowl on the stove and turn the heat to high. Add the noodles to the water. It is very important to cook the noodles properly.
Step 2
Roughly chop about 1 cup of button or cremini mushrooms.
Cut your mushrooms into similarly sized pieces. This will help them cook evenly. You can choose either button or cremini mushrooms based on what you like.
Step 3
Take about 1 cup of button or cremini mushrooms and cut them into small pieces. Peel and chop 2 garlic cloves. This will help the garlic flavor mix well in the whole dish. Chop 3 green onion sticks, including the white parts.
Step 4
Red Onion
- Cut half a red onion, starting at the top and continuing down. Next, slice each half into fragile pieces. The sweet and bright red onions add a nice flavor and even better color to your chow mein — and they make it look and taste delicious.
Red Bell Pepper
- Then, pick out a quarter of a red bell pepper. Cut it off the stem and seeds and then cut it into thin strips. The red bell pepper will add another sweet taste, and the texture will make your dish even better. Then, its bright color makes Chow Mein look even better.
Snow Peas
- Now, grab some snow peas. Break the ends off each pod, then peel off the tough string that runs along one side. This allows the peas to be tender and easily placed in your mouth. You’ll need around half a cup of snow peas for this recipe. They have a nice crunch and fresh flavor.
Step 5
Finally, it’s time to make a delicious sauce. You need to combine two tablespoons of soy sauce, one tablespoon of rice vinegar, a hearty tablespoon of hoisin sauce, and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.
Step 6
Prepare the noodles by following these steps. First, add the noodles to the boiling water you have prepared. Remember to cook them for half the time listed on the package. For example, if the package says to boil for 4 minutes, you should only boil for 2 minutes.
If you follow the correct timing, your noodles won’t stick together and won’t be undercooked or hard. Once the noodles are done, pour them into a strainer to drain the water. Rinsing the noodles in cold water will help prevent them from becoming mushy.
Step 7
- Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan over medium fire. This oil will cook the vegetables and be a flavor.
- Add chopped red onion & garlic to the pan once the oil is hot. Sauté them turning often for about a minute. To give them an odor when they smell good and when the onions are soft. Then, add the chopped mushrooms, snow peas, & red bell pepper.
- Cook these vegetables for a few minutes until tender but still crunchy. Put cooked noodles and sauce in the pan when the vegetables are ready.
- Add one cup of bean sprouts & toss everything together. Heat it for another minute and mix well to mix everything.
Which Noodles Can I Use for Vegetarian Chow Mein Recipe
You can use different types of noodles in the show. It’s not necessary to stick to just one kind. Here, I’ll share some gluten-free options with you. If you can find them at home, you can use them easily in the show.
- If you want to try gluten-free noodles, they are a great alternative. They are similar to egg noodles but do not contain gluten. If you prefer, you can also use rice noodles made from rice flour. Their texture differs slightly from egg noodles, but they still taste very good.
- GLUTEN-FREE SPAGHETTI is another terrific option. If you have it on hand, this can be a handy substitute, and it’ll still taste great in your dish. Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce on a gluten-free diet. If you don’t have any wheat allergies, tamari tastes similar to soy sauce — but without wheat.
- No need to be concerned if you can not find ready-made gluten-free egg noodles. With simple recipes available with just a click, you can make your noodles recipe at home. Sometimes, making your noodles & having control over the ingredients is fun.
- Others have used brown rice noodles or long noodles, like fettuccine or linguine, as a substitute. They will change the flavor and texture of the dish a little bit, but it’s still going to be tasty.
How To Make Vegetarian Chow Mein Successfully
- Gather Ingredients First
When preparing chow mein, the main thing is the quality of the ingredients. Before starting to cook, gather all the necessary ingredients. It’ll be beneficial because you won’t have to search for ingredients during the cooking process. It’s an important step for cooking skills; whenever you start a recipe, make sure everything is prepared. This step is important for efficient cooking.
- Noodles
When it comes to noodles, always choose fresh ones. Try to find fresh chow mein noodles, as these have a nice texture that’s hard to beat. Dried noodles are acceptable if your freshness isn’t an option. But always remember: don’t overcook them!
SeCook the vegetables until they are a bit firmer. They will continue to cook while you stir-fry them. Your dish requires the ideal noodles. Choosing the right noodles is important to get the correct texture & flavor for your final dish.
- Veggies
Some vegetables cook faster than others. First, put tougher veggies, like carrots & broccoli, in first. They have to firm up a bit longer. You can add things like bok choy or bean sprouts when they begin to go soft.
In this way, each vegetable will be cooked perfectly, and the mix will be great, perfectly mixed with a crunch & softness in your chow mein. Timing is important; every vegetable preserves a particular flavor and texture.
- Space
Think of your pan as a dance floor. If it’s too crowded, no one can move. The same applies to stir-frying. If the pan becomes too full of food, it may steam instead of fry it & become soggy. When you have many ingredients, cooking in smaller batches is better.
That means each piece of rice gets the heat for that stir-fry taste. To gain that sought-after crispy texture, we must avoid overcrowding.
- Serving
The grand finale of your meal is all about serving it up. Chow mein tastes best when it’s hot & fresh after cooking. You’ll enjoy the bright flavors & perfect textures.
Once you’re ready to serve, add some green onions, sesame seeds, or a splash of hot sauce to make it look even nicer.
Enjoy your chow mein while it’s still warm for the most delicious experience. Serving it right away helps you enjoy all the great flavors and freshness of the ingredients.
How To Freeze Vegetarian Chow Mein Recipe
You can easily freeze vegetarian chow mein. If you store it in the freezer the right way, it can stay good for a very long time.
- Cool Before Freezing
- Once you’ve finished, allow the chow mein to reach room temperature before placing it in the freezer. It prevents ice crystals from forming.
- Use Airtight Containers
- Chowmein can be stored in airtight containers or freezer bags to keep away from its freezing burn. Take care to remove as much air as you can before freezing.
- Portion Control
- Freezing in separate portions is a good way to freeze. It makes reheating & reheating later much easier.
- Label & Date
- Label your containers with the date to know how long they have been in the freezer.
- Re-heating
- While eating, defrost the chow mein in the fridge overnight or microwave it for a quick thaw. If you want to reheat it, use the stovetop on medium heat & moisten it with a few splashes of water or soy sauce.
Read also: Easy Way To Make Pikelets Recipe At Home
Final Lines
And finally, this vegetarian chow mein recipe is a quick & tasty way to have a satisfying meal. You can create a colorful dish with fresh vegetables and a savory sauce in minutes.
For busy weeknights or whatever time, you are craving something satisfying. Try it for yourself, and you’ll find cooking easy & enjoyable. I hope you enjoy your homemade vegetarian chow mein, which is sweet & happy cooking, too.