This easy shrimp chow mein brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen!
Succulent shrimp and crisp vegetables get tossed with irresistibly chewy noodles in a rich, umami sauce.
The harmony of flavors and textures is endlessly satisfying.
Best of all, it’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. Trust me, you’ll never order takeout again!
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Why You'll Love This Shrimp Chow Mein
Perfect for Busy Weeknights: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe delivers a quick and satisfying meal in a flash.
Restaurant-Quality: Forget ordering takeout! With this recipe, you get all the authentic flavors of a Chinese favorite without leaving the house.
Umami-Packed Taste: The soy, oyster, and hoisin sauces, plus the savory shrimp, deliver layers upon layers of rich, umami goodness.
Customizable: No shrimp on hand? Swap it for chicken, tofu, or beef. You can even just load up with extra veggies.
Ingredients
- Noodles: For the best texture, use fresh chow mein noodles.
- Medium Shrimp: Fresh or frozen, be sure to use peeled and deveined medium shrimp.
- Garlic & Ginger: Freshly minced garlic and ginger are a must! These aromatics add depth and flavor.
- Vegetables: A colorful medley of aromatic onion, crispy cabbage, sweet carrots, crunchy bean sprouts, and fresh bell pepper.
- Green Onions: Just the greens for a nice garnish.
- Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce & Hoisin Sauce: The holy trinity of Chinese sauces! Soy for saltiness, oyster for umami, and hoisin for a sweet-savory depth.
- Sesame Oil: A splash in the sauce for a mild, nutty flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: It adds sweetness to balance the salty, savory sauce.
- Chicken Stock: Thins the sauce to create the ideal consistency.
- Salt & Pepper: Just a pinch to season the shrimp.
How to Make Shrimp Chow Mein
Skip the delivery fees and treat yourself to this satisfying shrimp chow mein!
This Asian dish comes together faster than you’d think. And the results are SO worth the effort.
1. WHISK all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. COOK the noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with a bit of oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
3. PAT the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. HEAT 1 tablespoon of oil and add the shrimp. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
5. STIR-FRY the onions, carrots, and pepper for a few minutes. Mix in the garlic and ginger, followed by the cabbage and bean sprouts.
6. ADD the cooked shrimp, noodles, and sauce. Toss until well coated and cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated.
7. SERVE with sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips For the Best Shrimp Chow Mein
Shrimp chow mein is easy to make, but these tips will amplify the flavors and textures:
- Use fresh noodles. Fresh chow mein noodles provide the best texture. You can also use thin egg noodles, spaghetti, or even ramen.
- Put in the prep. Stir-fry cooks fast! So, have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before cooking.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp only needs about 1-2 minutes per side. Cook them too long, and they’ll become rubbery.
- High heat is crucial. Stir-frying requires high heat to achieve a slight char on the vegetables and enhance the smoky flavors.
- Balance the sauce. Adjust the sauce to taste. Don't be afraid to add more honey or hoisin if you like.
- Sauce at the end. Add the in the last couple of minutes of cooking. If you let it cook too long, it'll reduce to nothing in the heat.
- Spice it up. Add red chili flakes, sriracha sauce, or chili crisp on top for a spicy version.
- Try tasty variations. Swap the shrimp with chicken, beef, tofu, or pork. Or add mushrooms, snap peas, or broccoli for a veggie-packed dish.
How to Store
Since this dish contains shrimp, I recommend gobbling them up while they're fresh. Then, cook more with any leftover veggies and noodles.
That way, they won't turn rubbery after reheating.
Here's how to store it:
To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
To Reheat: Stir-fry leftovers for 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat. If the noodles are dry, add a splash of soy sauce or water.
More Noodle Dishes Your Family Will Love
Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Sweet and Spicy Noodles
Yaki Udon
Sticky Beef Noodles
Shrimp Chow Mein
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes363
kcalThis quick and easy shrimp chow mein is better than takeout! Made with succulent shrimp, chewy noodles, and a savory sauce, it hits the spot.
Ingredients
- For the Sauce
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey, optional
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- For the Stir-Fry
10-12 ounces chow mein, yakisoba, or egg noodles
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil, divided
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
1 cup carrots, julienned
1/2 cup bell pepper (red or green), thinly sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup bean sprouts, optional
2 green onion tops, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk the chicken stock, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and white pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. To prevent sticking, toss with a bit of oil and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Add them to the hot oil in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil along with the onion, carrots, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly.
- Add the garlic and ginger and stir until fragrant. Then add the cabbage and bean sprouts and toss until well combined. Add a splash of water and cook until the cabbage begins to wilt.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the cooked noodles and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Toss everything together using tongs or a spatula until the sauce evenly coats the noodles and vegetables. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Transfer to a serving platter or bowls and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Fresh chow mein noodles provide the best texture. You can also use thin egg noodles, spaghetti, or even ramen.
- Shrimp only needs about 1-2 minutes per side. Cook them too long, and they’ll become rubbery.
