What’s the best way to enjoy a delicious Lo Mein?
By packing it full of vegetables!
Lo Mein is a traditional Chinese dish that consists of noodles, vegetables, and meat.
It’s usually served with soy sauce for added flavor.
Adding different types of vegetables to your Lo Mein can make it more flavorful and nutritious.
But what are the best veggies to include in this dish?
The best vegetables to include in lo mein are carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, bok choy, and celery. You can also add other vegetables such as zucchini or eggplant that pair nicely with the noodles and sauce.
In this article, I’ll be discussing 15 of the best vegetables you can add to your Lo Mein – from broccoli and mushrooms to bok choy and snow peas.
Read on to find out which ones will suit your taste buds the most!
15 Vegetables That Go Well in Lo Mein
Lo mein is a classic Chinese dish that can be made with a variety of vegetables.
While the exact ingredients may vary from region to region, here are fifteen of the most popular vegetables used in lo mein:
1. Broccoli
You know that saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Well, this is the case when it comes to broccoli in lo mein. It’s a classic pairing and all you have to do is blanch your florets for around 1-2 minutes before adding them to your dish. Deliciousness awaits!
2. Sugar Snap Peas
These little guys are like gems in your lo mein; their crunchy texture adds much-needed contrast and zest to your dish, plus they’re oh-so-pretty too! Plus – no blanching is required here – just cook them with everything else until tender yet crisp.
3. Bok Choy
Divinely tasty yet incredibly light and nutritious – sweet bok choy will add an amazing depth of flavor to your lo mein without dragging you down after eating it (serious bonus!). Preparing these beauties requires a light stir-fry or steam if you want to get even more out of its scrumptious flavors!
4. Bell Peppers
These colorful and crunchy veggies are like a party for your taste buds with their sweet and savory flavors. Slicing them into thin strips gives you a texture perfect for lo mein. One word of warning though – they pack quite the flavor punch!
5. Mushrooms
The earthy king of the vegetable kingdom, mushrooms add an extra layer of flavor to any dish. Make sure to dice them up small as smaller pieces will give you more flavor in each bite of your lo mein. Plus, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, try adding some shiitakes too!
6. Carrots
A classic and versatile veggie great for all diets, carrots pairs perfectly with lo mein noodles due to their mild sweetness that counterbalances the spicy sauces used in Asian cooking. To bring out their bold colors and robust flavors when preparing yours – consider roasting or stir-frying before tossing them into your favorite dishes!
7. Water Chestnuts
These crunchy little gems need to be properly prepared before being added to lo mein. First, peel them and chop them into small cubes, then lightly stir-fry in a pan with oil until they turn golden brown. This will give the water chestnuts an extra layer of flavor that adds a delightful texture to your dish!
8. Snow Peas
Snow peas add color, flavor, and nutrition to any lo mein dish. Simply cut off the tips of the snow peas and slice each pod lengthwise down one side so they can soak up all that savory sauce while cooking. Then add them near the end so they retain their crispiness – delicious!
9. Onions
Onions are an awesome way to pack some extra flavor into your lo mein without adding too many calories or fat. Cut onions into thin slices and lightly sauté in a pan before adding them – this helps bring out their fullest flavor potential and really brings out their sweetness in the finished meal!
10. Garlic
Garlic is the cornerstone of any flavorful Chinese-inspired dish, and lo mein is no exception! Its robust flavor goes perfectly with all the other ingredients in this meal, so be sure to mince it up finely before adding it in. Plus garlic adds a certain je ne sais quoi that takes your lo mein to the next level.
11. Celery
Crisp and crunchy celery adds a wonderful texture to lo mein and helps balance all those rich flavors from the noodles and sauces, making each bite absolutely delicious! Slice it into thin strips or cubes – whatever strikes your fancy – then toss them into your wok when you’re almost done cooking for optimal flavor and texture.
12. Zucchini
This modest vegetable packs a powerful punch when added to dishes like lo mein due to its mild flavor that allows it to easily blend with the rest of the ingredients while still being able to shine on its own too. You can either slice or grate zucchini depending on how much texture you want; just make sure to add it in when the noodles are almost done so it can cook through, but not become too mushy.
13. Bean Sprouts
A crunchy and crisp addition to lo mein, these versatile sprouts can be stir-fried, boiled, or even eaten raw. Just make sure they’re fresh – after all, they are tender babies! A quick rinse in some cold water is all you need before adding them to your dish.
14. Baby Corn
Tiny cobs of sweetness give lo mein a unique texture and flavor profile. The key with baby corn is to steam them right before adding it – it keeps its flavor intact without turning soggy. For subtle sweet notes, opt for the grated variety.
15. Eggplant
These smooth purple veggies bring creaminess and umami-ness like no other vegetable can! Cubed cubes work best for this recipe – just make sure to pre-cook them (I suggest boiling them) so they don’t take up too much room in your wok or skillet when cooking the noodles later on!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Lo Mein is a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with a variety of vegetables.
The best vegetables to use in Lo Mein are broccoli, sugar snap peas, bok choy, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, water chestnuts, snow peas, onions, garlic, celery, zucchini, bean sprouts, baby corn, and eggplant.
These vegetables all add unique flavors and textures to the dish, and are a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
With these 15 vegetables, you can create a delicious and nutritious Lo Mein dish that will satisfy your taste buds and your nutritional needs.
What Vegetables Go in Lo Mein? (15 Best Veggies)
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Bok Choy
- Bell Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Carrots
- Water Chestnuts
- Snow Peas
- Onions
- Garlic
- Celery
- Zucchini
- Bean Sprouts
- Baby Corn
- Eggplant
Instructions
- Select your favorite veggies from this article.
- Prep your selected veggies as you please.
- Prepare a lo mein meal in 30 minutes or less.
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.