Instant Pot Lo Mein is an easy one pot wholesome meal to put together. It comes together in just 30 mins roughly. a perfect dinner option.
Vegan lo mein is a perfect way to sneak more vegetables into our food. Lo mein is usually cooked in a wok. We cook the spaghetti separately and then toss it with the vegetables and sauce. Instant pot vegetable lo mein is a one pot dish and it gives the same flavor and taste as that of the stovetop. It is easy to cook with Instant Pot plus mess-free and beginner friendly.
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what is lo mein
Lo mein is a Chinese noodles dish. We prepare them with vegetables or meat or seafood. The cooked noodles are then tossed in sauces along with vegetables or any protein.
Lo Mein vs Chow Mein
Both are similar types of Chinese noodles. Chow Mein translates to fried noodles and lo mein is simply stirred noodles. Lo mein noodles are tossed in sauce and stir fried with the veggies. however, Chow mein noodles are pan fried and they are slightly crispy and the texture is different.
You may use Hakka noodles or egg noodles or even simple spaghetti to cook both dishes.
Ingredients
Sauces - We are a combination of sauces to the lo mein and they coat the cooked spaghetti and veggies really well. I am adding chili sauce, sriracha sauce, say sauce. Traditionally we add oyster sauce to lo mein. However, I replaced it with soy sauce for a gluten free version you may use tamari sauce too.
Vegetables - We use a combination of various veggies. The most common are cabbage, bell pepper, broccoli, carrot. You may also use snow peas and mushrooms too.
Garlic, ginger - They give a nice flavor to the noodles.
Noodles - You may use the Hakka egg noodles or any normal spaghetti.
Green onion - This is a very common addition to almost all Asian dishes. Garnish the finished lo mein with a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
How to prepare Instant Pot vegetables lo mein
Prepare the sauces
In a bowl add in 2 tbsp Soy Sauce,1.5 tsp Chilli sauce. I am using green chili sauce you may use red or green as you prefer. Then add in 2 tbsp sriracha sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar.
2. Whisk everything together until they are combined and set aside.
Cook the noodles
3. Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Wait for 30 secs and then add in 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. Wait for the oil to hot. It may take around 30 secs. Add in 4 garlic cloves and 1 inch ginger piece. Chop them into small pieces and then add. Saute for a few secs. Next, add in 1 cup of sliced onions. Saute till the onions are soft.
4. Next add in 1 big bell pepper and 2 carrots. Slice them into julienne cut and then add. Saute for a few secs.
5. Add 1.5 cups of water. Scrape the instant pot edges so that nothing sticks to the pot.
6. Next add in 200 gms spaghetti. I am using whole wheat spaghetti. You may break them into half and arrange them in a crisis cross fashion. Pour in the prepared sauce over the spaghetti.
7. Press the spaghetti gently so that it touches the water and is slightly wet. Close the Instant Pot and set 5 mins in high pressure. Make sure you move the pressure knob to the sealing position.
Toss in the Veggies
8. After 5 mins do a quick release and open the Instant Pot. Use a tong and gently fluff the cooked spaghetti. You might still see a little water in the Instant Pot at this stage. But don't worry it will eventually go away. Press saute mode and start cooking. Add in the required salt and ½ tsp pepper powder.
9. Next add in 1 cup broccoli florets and ¾ cup cabbage. Slice the cabbage into thin strips and then add. Combine the veggies with a tong and then cook for another 1 min.
10. Now switch off the Instant Pot and keep it closed for 15 mins. After 15 mins open and fluff the spaghetti. The water is now completely evaporated and then spaghetti looks fluffy. Garnish the lo mein with 2 tbsp of green onions.
Instant Pot Lo mein is now ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- Makes a yummy dinner option. You can modify the same recipe for preparing instant pot chicken lo mein or even instant pot lo mein shrimp. They make protein rich lo mein noodles
- This vegetarian lo mein is loaded with vegetables you may add in more veggies like baby corn, sweet corn. you can also add mushrooms.
- I am adding 2 tbsp of sriracha sauce and it is fine for me. If you think that is way too hot you may reduce it to 1 tbsp.
- instant pot chow mein is another variation that uses thin types of noodles. The water added and the cooking time may slightly vary for that.
- I am using whole wheat spaghetti for the lo mein. You may use any similar type of noodles.
- The spaghetti may clump up after cooking, so use a ting and fluff them without breaking.
- If using an 8 qt Instant Pot and in 2 cups of water for cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Lo mein makes a yummy dish by itself. You can serve them with some sauce or you may serve them with any stir-fries or Manchurian. I love serving them with Tofu broccoli stir fry or Vegetable Manchurian.
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Lo Mein
Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml
Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 qt
- Instant Pot 6 qt
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1.5 tsp Chili Sauce
- 2 tbsp Sriracha Sauce
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 4 clove Garlic
- 1 inch Ginger
- 1 cup Onion sliced
- 1 Bell Pepper I am using red colored
- 2 carrots julienne cut
- 1.5 cups Water
- 200 gms spaghetti
- ½ tsp Pepper powder
- Salt as needed
- 1 cup Broccoli
- ¾ cup Cabbage
- 2 tbsp Scallions to garnish
Instructions
Prep the Sauces
- In a bowl add in 2 tbsp Soy Sauce,1.5 tsp Chilli sauce. I am using green chili sauce you may use red or green as you prefer. Then add in 2 tbsp sriracha sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar.
- Whisk everything together until they are combined and set aside.
cook the speghetti
- Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Wait for 30 secs and then add in 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. Wait for the oil to hot. It may take around 30 secs. Add in 4 garlic cloves and 1 inch ginger piece. Chop them into small pieces and then add. Saute for a few secs. Next, add in 1 cup of sliced onions. Saute till the onions are soft.
- Next add in 1 big bell pepper and 2 carrots. Slice them into julienne cut and then add. Saute for a few secs.
- Add 1.5 cups of water. Scrape the instant pot edges so that nothing sticks to the pot.
- Next add in 200 gms spaghetti. I am using whole wheat spaghetti. You may break them into half and arrange them in a crisis cross fashion. Pour in the prepared sauce over the spaghetti.
- Press the spaghetti gently so that it touches the water and is slightly wet. Close the Instant Pot and set 5 mins in high pressure. Make sure you move the pressure knob to the sealing position.
Toss in the veggies
- After 5 mins do a quick release and open the Instant Pot. Use a tong and gently fluff the cooked spaghetti. You might still see a little water in the Instant Pot at this stage. But don't worry it will eventually go away. Press saute mode and start cooking. Add in the required salt and ½ tsp pepper powder.
- Next add in 1 cup broccoli florets and ¾ cup cabbage. Slice the cabbage into thin strips and then add. Combine the veggies with a tong and then cook for another 1 min.
- Now switch off the Instant Pot and keep it closed for 15 mins. After 15 mins open and fluff the spaghetti. The water is now completely evaporated and then spaghetti looks fluffy. Garnish the lo mein with 2 tbsp of green onions. Instant Pot Lo mein is now ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist , the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.
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