Easy Chow Mein

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 4 hours

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Aug. 31, 2022
Some years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 bunch celery, sliced
  • 2 cans (14 ounces each) Chinese vegetables, drained
  • 2 envelopes brown gravy mix
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Hot cooked egg noodles or rice

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; crumble meat; drain. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the celery, Chinese vegetables, gravy mix and soy sauce. Cover and cook on low until celery is tender, 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with noodles.

Chow Mein Tips

What is traditional chow mein?

Chow mein is a popular Chinese stir-fry dish made with noodles, vegetables and protein. The sauce Is typically a blend of dark and light soy sauce and oyster sauce, so feel free to add one tablespoon of each to this recipe.

What kind of noodles are used in chow mein?

Chow mein noodles are very thin egg noodles and can be used in place of the egg noodles in this dish. Look for chow mein noodles at your local grocery store, Asian market or online. You can also substitute yakisoba noodles, reserving the seasoning packet for another use.

What is difference between lo mein and chow mein?

Although these noodles are very similar in terms of ingredients, their preparation makes them different. Chow mein noodles are thinner and typically fried before adding to the dish, leaving them with a nice crispy texture. Lo mein noodles are soft and thick and simply stirred into the dish. Check out our chicken lo mein recipe. Research contributed by Sarah Fischer, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant
Purchase celery with crisp, firm and unblemished ribs and fresh green leaves. Refrigerate celery in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks. Wash and trim the base and leaves just before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup (calculated without noodles): 361 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 897mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.