Delicious Homemade Shrimp Chow Mein
This easy shrimp chow mein brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Chow Mein
Perfect for Busy Weeknights: This delightful dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect meal for those hectic evenings when you need something quick yet satisfying.
Restaurant-Quality: Forget calling for takeout! This recipe delivers all the authentic flavors of your favorite Chinese dish without the extra cost and wait time.
Umami-Packed Taste: A medley of soy, oyster, and hoisin sauces combined with savory shrimp offers layers of rich, delicious flavor that you simply can’t resist.
Customizable: No shrimp in the fridge? No worries! You can easily swap it out for chicken, tofu, or beef, or you can load up on a variety of extra vegetables.
Ingredients
- Noodles: Fresh chow mein noodles for the best texture.
- Medium Shrimp: Fresh or frozen, peeled and deveined.
- Garlic & Ginger: Freshly minced for depth and flavor.
- Vegetables: Onion, cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, and bell peppers for a colorful mix.
- Green Onions: For garnish, use just the green tops.
- Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce & Hoisin Sauce: Essential for that traditional flavor.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a subtle nutty essence.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: Balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness.
- Chicken Stock: Helps to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Salt & Pepper: For seasoning the shrimp.
How to Make Shrimp Chow Mein
Wave goodbye to delivery fees and treat your taste buds to this delicious shrimp chow mein made right at home!
Instructions
- Whisk: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. You want everything well-mixed for that savory excellence!
- Cook: Follow package instructions to prepare the noodles. Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water, then toss with a bit of oil to prevent sticking. Keep them aside for now.
- Pat: Use paper towels to dry the shrimp and season them lightly with salt and pepper. This ensures they sear beautifully.
- Heat: In a large skillet, add a tablespoon of oil and place in the shrimp. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Stir-Fry: In the same skillet, stir-fry the onions, carrots, and bell peppers for a few minutes. Then, add the garlic and ginger, followed by the cabbage and bean sprouts. Sauté until the veggies are tender but still crisp.
- Add: Toss the shrimp back in, along with the noodles and prepared sauce. Mix everything well and allow it to cook for another 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy your homemade creation!
Tips For the Best Shrimp Chow Mein
This savory dish is simple, but a few tips can elevate it to perfection:
- Use fresh noodles: For the best flavor and texture, opt for fresh chow mein noodles. Can’t find them? Thin egg noodles or even spaghetti can work in a pinch.
- Pre-prep: Since stir-frying is a quick process, have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you begin cooking.
- Avoid overcooking: Cook the shrimp for just 1-2 minutes on each side to keep them tender. Overcooked shrimp can turn rubbery.
- High heat matters: Stir-frying requires high heat to achieve that signature char on your veggies, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Balance the sauce: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or saltiness to your liking. Adding more honey or hoisin can enhance the flavor.
- Timing for sauce: Add the sauce towards the end of cooking to prevent it from evaporating when it gets too hot.
- Add a kick: For those who love spice, consider adding red chili flakes or sriracha to kick the heat up a notch!
- Get creative: Switch out shrimp for other proteins like chicken, beef, or even tofu! Add more veggies such as mushrooms or broccoli for extra nutrients.
How to Store
While shrimp chow mein is best enjoyed fresh, you’ll want to know how to store any leftovers properly to maintain deliciousness:
To Store: Place any cooled leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To Reheat: Simply stir-fry the leftovers over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. If the noodles have dried out, a splash of soy sauce or water will bring them back to life!
More Noodle Dishes Your Family Will Love
- Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
- Sweet and Spicy Noodles
- Yaki Udon
- Sticky Beef Noodles