Make this easy healthy homemade lo mein in just 20 minutes! Loaded with broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, green onions, garlic, ginger, and a savory homemade sauce, this is one of the best Chinese food recipes for a quick weeknight dinner.
Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein
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Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein Noodles
Craving Chinese takeout but want something healthier and easier to make at home? This Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein is the perfect solution. Made with tender lo mein noodles, fresh broccoli, crunchy carrots, sweet red bell peppers, green onions, garlic, ginger, and a flavorful homemade soy sauce, this recipe delivers delicious Chinese-inspired flavor in about 20 minutes.
This Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein is one of the best Chinese food recipes for busy weeknights. It is quick, affordable, colorful, and incredibly satisfying. Instead of ordering takeout, you can prepare delicious homemade Chinese food using simple ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen.
Whether you’re searching for healthy Chinese recipes, homemade Chinese food recipes, easy Chinese food recipes, or a simple lo mein noodles recipe, this healthy vegetable lo mein is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein
There are plenty of reasons to add this Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein to your weekly dinner menu.
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Packed with colorful vegetables
- Made with simple ingredients
- Perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- Easy to customize with chicken, shrimp, beef, or tofu
- Healthier than many restaurant-style takeout options
- Great for meal preparation
- Full of delicious garlic and ginger flavor
- Perfect for the whole family
This healthy lo mein combines everything you want in a quick dinner: tender noodles, crisp vegetables, and a rich homemade sauce.
Ingredients for Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein
To make this delicious homemade lo mein, you’ll need a few simple ingredients.
For the Lo Mein Noodles
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 large carrot, cut into thin strips
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil
For the Homemade Lo Mein Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness creates an incredibly flavorful sauce for your Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein.
How to Make Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein
Making Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein at home is simple and takes only about 20 minutes.
1. Cook the Lo Mein Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the lo mein noodles and cook according to the package instructions until they are tender but still slightly firm.
Drain the noodles well and set them aside.
Avoid overcooking the lo mein noodles because they will continue cooking when they are added to the hot skillet with the vegetables and sauce.
2. Make the Homemade Lo Mein Sauce
While the noodles are cooking, prepare the sauce.
Add the low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes to a small bowl.
Whisk until everything is well combined.
This easy homemade sauce is the key to creating delicious homemade Chinese food with restaurant-style flavor.
3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the cooking oil, followed by the garlic and fresh ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the broccoli, carrots, and red bell peppers. Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.
Keeping the vegetables crisp gives this healthy lo mein an amazing texture.
4. Add the Lo Mein Noodles
Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet with the vegetables.
Pour the homemade sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
Use tongs or chopsticks to toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.
Cook for another 2–3 minutes so the flavors can combine.
5. Add Green Onions and Sesame Seeds
Turn off the heat and add the sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Toss everything together one final time.
Your Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein is now ready to serve.
What Makes This a Healthy Chinese Recipe?
One of the biggest advantages of making homemade Chinese food is that you control the ingredients.
Restaurant-style lo mein can sometimes contain significant amounts of oil, sodium, and sugar. With this Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein, you can use low-sodium soy sauce, fresh vegetables, and a moderate amount of oil.
The broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, and green onions also provide plenty of color, texture, and variety.
If you’re looking for healthy Chinese recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor, this homemade lo mein is an excellent choice.
Best Vegetables for Homemade Lo Mein
One of the best things about homemade lo mein is that you can easily customize the vegetables.
Some excellent options include:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Red bell peppers
- Green bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Snow peas
- Cabbage
- Bok choy
- Baby corn
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Green onions
You can use whatever fresh vegetables you have available.
Adding several different vegetables makes this Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein colorful, flavorful, and satisfying.
Can You Add Protein to Healthy Lo Mein?
Absolutely. This Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein is extremely versatile.
For a high-protein dinner, add your favorite protein, such as:
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Beef
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Eggs
Chicken Lo Mein
For chicken lo mein, slice boneless chicken breast into thin strips and stir-fry it in the wok before adding the vegetables.
Shrimp Lo Mein
Shrimp cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with the garlic-ginger sauce and vegetables.
Vegetarian Lo Mein
For vegetarian homemade Chinese food, simply leave out the meat and add tofu or extra vegetables.
How to Make the Best Lo Mein Sauce
The sauce is one of the most important parts of any great Chinese food recipe.
This homemade lo mein sauce combines savory soy sauce with sesame oil, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and a little sweetness.
You can easily adjust the sauce according to your personal taste.
For spicy Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein, add more chili flakes, Sriracha, chili oil, or chili garlic sauce.
For sweeter lo mein, add a little extra honey or maple syrup.
For a stronger garlic flavor, add another minced garlic clove.
Tips for the Best Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein
Don’t Overcook the Noodles
Cook your lo mein noodles until just tender. Overcooked noodles can become soft and mushy when combined with the sauce.
Use High Heat
A hot wok or skillet helps create the delicious stir-fried flavor associated with classic Chinese food recipes.
Keep the Vegetables Crisp
Don’t overcook the vegetables. Slightly crisp broccoli, carrots, and peppers provide the best texture.
Use Fresh Garlic and Ginger
Fresh garlic and ginger make a noticeable difference in homemade Chinese food.
Don’t Add Too Much Sauce
Start with the recommended amount of sauce and add more if necessary. Too much sauce can make the noodles heavy.
Serve Immediately
Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein tastes best when served immediately while the noodles are hot and the vegetables are still crisp.
Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein for Meal Prep
This healthy lo mein is also a great meal-prep recipe.
Prepare a large batch of homemade lo mein, allow it to cool, and divide it into individual airtight containers.
Store the noodles in the refrigerator and enjoy them for quick lunches or dinners.
When reheating your lo mein, add a small splash of water or soy sauce to prevent the noodles from becoming dry.
This makes Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein an excellent option for people who want quick homemade meals during busy weekdays.
What to Serve With Homemade Lo Mein
You can enjoy this Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein as a complete meal, but it also pairs well with other Chinese-inspired dishes.
Try serving your homemade noodles with:
- Steamed dumplings
- Spring rolls
- Asian cucumber salad
- Steamed edamame
- Crispy tofu
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Teriyaki chicken
- Homemade egg rolls
Together, these dishes can create a delicious homemade Chinese dinner without needing to order takeout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade lo mein healthy?
Yes. Homemade lo mein can be a healthy meal when prepared with plenty of vegetables, moderate oil, and low-sodium soy sauce. Making Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein at home also gives you control over the ingredients and portion sizes.
What noodles are best for lo mein?
Traditional lo mein noodles are the best choice, but you can also use egg noodles, spaghetti, ramen noodles, or other wheat noodles if traditional lo mein noodles aren’t available.
Can I make healthy lo mein without meat?
Yes. This Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein can easily be prepared as a vegetarian meal. Simply leave out the meat and add tofu or additional vegetables.
Can I make lo mein spicy?
Absolutely. Add chili flakes, chili oil, Sriracha, or chili garlic sauce to give your homemade lo mein extra heat.
Is homemade lo mein better than takeout?
Making homemade Chinese food allows you to control the amount of oil, sodium, sugar, vegetables, and protein. This makes Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein a convenient alternative to many takeout meals.
How long does homemade lo mein last?
Store leftover healthy lo mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it within several days for the best quality and flavor.
Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Keyword: Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 large carrot
- 1 red bell pepper
- 3 green onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Red chili flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions.
- Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes in a small bowl.
- Heat cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds.
- Add broccoli, carrots, and red bell peppers.
- Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add the cooked lo mein noodles.
- Pour the homemade sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
- Toss everything together and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Add green onions and sesame seeds.
- Toss once more and serve immediately.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein is proof that you don’t need takeout to enjoy delicious Chinese-inspired noodles at home.
Tender lo mein noodles, crunchy broccoli, sweet carrots, colorful red bell peppers, fresh green onions, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and a flavorful homemade sauce come together to create an easy dinner that the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re searching for the best Chinese food recipes, healthy Chinese recipes, easy Chinese food recipes, homemade Chinese food recipes, or a quick healthy lo mein recipe, this Easy Healthy Homemade Lo Mein deserves a place in your recipe collection.
Make it in just 20 minutes, customize it with your favorite vegetables and protein, and enjoy delicious homemade Chinese food without the takeout.