Easy Pork Lo Mein Recipe

Enjoy this Easy Pork Lo Mein Recipe, a quick and delicious pork stir fry dish and flavorful sauces. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner as it’s a swift and delectable meal, perfectly adapted for your Instant Pot.

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Capture the essence of your favorite Chinese restaurant with this simple, homemade dish packed with savory flavors and fresh veggies. It’s time to add a new recipe to your favorite dishes, especially if you love Chinese takeout! This recipe can be replicated with easy ingredients in your local grocery store. favorite dishes.

PRO TIPS for Perfect Pork Lo Mein

Marinate the Pork: Marinate the pork in soy sauce and sesame oil to enhance its flavor before cooking. This step infuses the meat with rich flavors that define a great lo mein.

Layering the Noodles: Lay the spaghetti in a crisscross pattern in the Instant Pot to avoid clumping. This technique ensures that each noodle cooks evenly.

How to Store:

Cool the leftovers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in a microwave for best results.

Ingredients for roast pork lo mein

​Spaghetti: I prefer using spaghetti for mine, but this can be substituted with traditional Lo Mein noodles, especially “Lo Mein noodles,” as they are perfect for this dish due to their ideal texture and ability to absorb flavors. Oh, I have added yummy meals made with egg noodles also. 

Pork Tenderloin: Lean meat that cooks quickly and soaks up the marinade for a flavorful addition. You can substitute with pork loin, pork chops, or boneless pork ribs, 

Water 

Babybok choy, carrots, and red bell pepper add crunch, color, and nutritional value with a mix of vitamins and fiber. You can add green bell pepper for some color. 

Yellow onion

Garlic: Provides a robust flavor base that is essential for authentic Chinese cuisine. 

Dark and Light soy sauces offer a rich umami flavor and give the lo mein its characteristic color.

Hoisin Sauce: Adds a sweet and spicy dimension to the dish.

Sesame oil: I love adding little sesame oil as it brings a slight nuttiness and enriches the overall taste of the Lo Mein.

Mirin: Contributes a mild sweetness and helps balance the saltiness of the soy sauce. 

Oil of your choice (vegetable oil, Canola or olive oil) for sautéing.

Salt, Pepper, Sesame seeds, Fresh vegetables of your choice (optional)

How to make Pork Lo Mein

Prepare Ingredients: Wash and prepare all produce. Dice the pork and marinate with half of the dark soy sauce and sesame oil.

Sauté Pork: Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ on high. Heat 1 tbsp oil, then add pork, browning it until golden. Remove and set aside.

Prepare Vegetables: Slice onions, bok choy, carrots, and red bell pepper—mince garlic.

Cook Garlic: Add garlic to the Instant Pot and sauté until golden brown, about 30 seconds.

Deglaze: Add water to the pot, scraping the bottom with a spatula to remove any bits stuck to it.

Cook Spaghetti: Break spaghetti in half and place in a crisscross pattern. Press gently under the liquid but do not stir. Seal the pot and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.

Release Pressure: Quickly release the pressure after cooking, then let rest for 4 more minutes. Your spaghetti should be al dente by now.

Add Sauces: Stir in remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and mirin.

Final Sauté: Add the pork back along with the vegetables. Sauté on high, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes until the veggies reach the desired crispness.

Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Other Cooking Methods:

While the Instant Pot provides a quick and easy method to prepare Lo Mein, you can also stir-fry this dish in a large skillet or wok on the stove, following similar steps but adjusting the cooking time for the noodles as per package instructions. This is a great dish, perfect family recipe ready in a few minutes!

Pork Lo Mein vs Pork Chow Mein

Pork lo mein and pork chow mein are popular Chinese dishes that feature similar ingredients but differ primarily in how the noodles are prepared and cooked. 

• Pork Lo Mein: The noodles in Lo Mein are boiled until soft and then tossed with the other ingredients (meat, vegetables, and sauce) in a skillet or wok. The term “Lo Mein” actually means “tossed noodles,” indicating that the noodles are mixed and coated with seasoning and other ingredients rather than being stir-fried.
• Pork Chow Mein: In Chow Mein, the noodles can be either soft or crispy, depending on the style of the dish. For crispy Chow Mein, the noodles are cooked by boiling and then frying to achieve a crispy texture. The fried noodles are either topped or mixed with stir-fried pork, vegetables, and sauce. If soft Chow Mein is being made, the noodles are boiled and then stir-fried along with the other ingredients, similar to Lo Mein, but typically with less sauce and a slightly longer frying time to introduce a bit of a crispy edge to the noodles.In summary, the choice between Pork Lo Mein and Pork Chow Mein often comes down to personal preference for noodle texture (soft versus crispy) and the desired richness of sauce in the dish. Both offer delightful tastes and textures that are staples in Chinese cuisine.

Serving Suggestions:

Pair this delicious Pork Lo Mein with additional sides like egg rolls or a simple cucumber salad for a complete meal that brings the taste of Chinese take-out right to your dinner table.

FAQs:

Can you make Pork Lo Mein using ground pork?

You can definitely make Pork Lo Mein using ground pork instead of pork slices or chunks. This might even save you some prep time and can incorporate flavors more thoroughly throughout the dish. You might need to adjust the cooking process appropriately. 

Can I use chicken instead of pork? 

Yes, chicken breasts or thighs can be used as a substitute for pork in this recipe and make it chicken lo Mein. Chicken broth can also be added when using chicken, remember to reduce the amount of water. 

Is it suitable for freezing? 

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it for up to a month.

Pork Lo Mein Nutrition:

Pork Lo Mein is a balanced meal, featuring protein from pork and a variety of vitamins from the vegetables, making it both a nutritious and satisfying option.

Typical Nutritional Information per Serving (approximately 1 cup):

• Calories: 300-450 calories
• Protein: 15-25 grams
• Total Fat: 10-20 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 3-5 grams
• Cholesterol: 50-70 mg
• Carbohydrates: 35-55 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 2-4 grams
  • Sugars: 5-8 grams
• Sodium: 600-1200 mg

Next time you crave Chinese food, why not try this easy Pork Lo Mein Recipe?