What to Serve With Ground Beef Lo Mein
This dish is satisfying on its own, but you can easily turn it into a larger meal.
Try serving it with:
- Steamed broccoli
- Cucumber salad
- Edamame
- Spring rolls
- Steamed dumplings
- Asian-style slaw
- Stir-fried vegetables
Because the noodles already contain beef and vegetables, you don’t need several heavy side dishes.
A simple vegetable side is often enough.
How to Store Leftover Lo Mein
Allow leftovers to cool appropriately and transfer them to a covered container.
Refrigerate promptly.
For the best quality, use leftovers within a few days and reheat only the portion you plan to eat.
The noodles may absorb some of the sauce while sitting in the refrigerator. That’s normal.
How to Reheat Ground Beef Lo Mein
Skillet method
This is usually the best option for maintaining texture.
Place the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat.
Add a small splash of water or broth and toss gently until heated through.
Microwave method
Place a serving in a microwave-safe container.
Add a small splash of water, cover loosely, and heat in short intervals, stirring between intervals.
This helps prevent the noodles from drying out.
Can You Freeze Ground Beef Lo Mein?
Yes, although the noodles may become slightly softer after freezing and thawing.
For the best result, cool the cooked dish completely before placing it in an airtight freezer-safe container.
Freeze in individual portions if you want convenient lunches or dinners.
Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating, then warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water.
How to Make This Recipe Ahead
You can save time by preparing several components in advance.
Chop the vegetables and refrigerate them in an airtight container.
Mix the sauce and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to cook.
You can also cook the beef ahead of time and refrigerate it safely.
When dinner time arrives, cook the noodles, stir-fry the vegetables, combine everything, and add the sauce.
This makes the recipe especially useful for busy weeknights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of noodles are best for Ground Beef Lo Mein?
Fresh or dried lo mein noodles are ideal. If you can’t find them, spaghetti or another wheat noodle can be used as a substitute.
Can I use ground beef instead of sliced beef?
Absolutely. Ground beef is one of the easiest proteins to use in homemade lo mein because it cooks quickly and distributes throughout the noodles.
Can I add different vegetables?
Yes. Lo mein is very flexible. Try broccoli, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, snow peas, bok choy, zucchini, or bean sprouts.
Why are my lo mein noodles sticky?
The noodles may have been overcooked or left sitting too long after draining. Cooking them just until tender and tossing them with the other ingredients promptly can help.
Can I make this recipe less salty?
Use low-sodium soy sauce and avoid adding extra salt until you’ve tasted the finished dish.
Can I make Ground Beef Lo Mein spicy?
Yes. Add crushed red pepper flakes, chili crisp, sriracha, or another preferred chili sauce.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey is an easy substitution. The flavor will be milder, but the same sauce and vegetables work well.
Is Ground Beef Lo Mein good for meal prep?
Yes. Portion the cooked noodles into airtight containers and refrigerate them for convenient lunches or dinners. Reheat gently with a small splash of water.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes. Freeze cooled leftovers in airtight freezer-safe containers. Keep in mind that the noodle texture may become somewhat softer after thawing.
How do I know when the ground beef is cooked?
For food safety, ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) measured with a food thermometer. USDA Ground Beef Safety Guidance
Recipe Card
Ground Beef Lo Mein
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 oz lo mein noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 cup bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced, optional
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil, if needed
Instructions
- Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, water, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
- Cook the lo mein noodles according to package directions until just tender. Drain well.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil if needed.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add carrots, bell pepper, cabbage, and mushrooms. Stir-fry until tender-crisp.
- Add the cooked noodles.
- Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated and heated through.
- Stir in the green onions during the final minute.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce for better control over saltiness.
- Don’t overcook the noodles before adding them to the skillet.
- Add more vegetables if desired.
- For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add chili crisp.
- Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) for food safety.
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A comforting bowl of Ground Beef Lo Mein ready to serve for dinner.
Final Thoughts
Ground Beef Lo Mein is exactly the kind of recipe that’s worth keeping close for busy nights.
It’s fast, flexible, comforting, and easy to adapt to whatever vegetables you have available. The combination of tender noodles, browned ground beef, crisp vegetables, garlic, ginger, and savory sauce gives you all the satisfaction of a takeout-style dinner without making the process complicated.
The biggest secret is preparation: have your sauce mixed, vegetables chopped, and noodles ready before the skillet gets hot. Once everything starts cooking, the dish comes together quickly.
Serve it straight from the skillet while the noodles are glossy and hot, add a little extra green onion or chili crisp if you like, and you’ve got a simple homemade dinner that can easily become a family favorite.