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I have solidly documented my family’s love of stir-fries on this website. What I may not have done justice to is their love of stir-fries that involve noodles, lo mein in particular. This lo mein is chock full of shrimp, and also has loads of vegetables, but not much oil. It is absolutely delicious, light, and fresh tasting.

This is an all-in-one meal, and there is no need to serve anything else. But, if you are looking to create a larger Asian-inspired spread, you can serve the lo mein with Sesame Asparagus and Shiitake Mushrooms, Slaw with Miso-Ginger Dressing, or Kimchi Brussel Sprouts.

Shrimp Lo Mein in a wok.

Shrimp Lo Mein Ingredients

  • Lo mein noodles or spaghetti – you can use any long skinny wheat-based noodle here, and you might find some noodles labeled lo mein noodles in Asian markets.
  • Shrimp – I like to use extra large shrimp here, but you can really use any size you prefer.
  • Chicken or vegetable broth – Based on your preference and if you want to make this a vegetarian dish. I like to use less-sodium broth as the soy sauce provides saltiness.
  • Cornstarch – Cornstarch is a thickening agent and is often added to recipes after being mixed in with a bit of liquid. When the cornstarch is heated in the sauce, it allows the sauce to thicken, thanks to its chemical structure, and the sauce can then really cling to the noodles and vegetables in this recipe.
  • Sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness.
  • Soy sauce – Provides some savory, umami flavor.
  • Sesame oil – Offers a nutty and smoky flavor.
  • Minced garlic – Mincing the garlic will allow its flavor to permeate the sauce.
  • Broccoli florets, carrots, bell pepper – Or any vegetable you and your family like!

Variations

  • You can use vegetable broth and leave out the shrimp for a fully vegetarian lo mein. You could also sauté the about ½ pound shrimp in one pan with 2 teaspoons of oil, and then add a couple of teaspoons of oil to that same pan, and another to a second pan. When heated, divide the vegetables between the pan you used to sauté the shrimp and the second pan. Divide the noodles and sauce evenly between the two pans, return the shrimp to the pan you started cooking the shrimp in and you will have one version that’s vegetarian and one that features shrimp.
  • This lo mein recipe features shrimp, but you can sub in cubed chicken, steak or pork loin for other versions of this ever-popular Chinese-American dish.
Wok filled with colorful Shrimp Lo Mein.

How to Make Shrimp Lo Mein

  1. Cook noodles and prep sauce: Start by cooking the noodles setting them aside, and mixing up the simple stir-fry sauce.
  2. Cook shrimp: Saute your shrimp until they get a bit firm and pin, but are not cooked all the way through. Set them aside.
Wooden spatula stirring broccoli, carrots, and peppers in a wok.
  1. Cook veggies: Saute the broccoli, carrots, and red bell pepper.

A healthy and quick shrimp lo mein recipe, colorful and so easy; perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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  1. Add shrimp: Return the shrimp to the pan.
Wooden spatula stirring a wok of vegetables and shrimp.
  1. Combine everything: Add the sauce, and stir to mix. Then add the cooked noodles and toss to combine everything. Continue tossing until everything is hot.
Woman pouring sauce into shrimp and vegetables in the pan.
  1. Serve: Top with sliced scallions for a nice fresh final touch.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?

Shrimp lo mein is made with long-cooked noodles, mixed with shrimp vegetables, and sauce. You can buy lo mein noodles in the Asian section of many supermarkets, or in Asian specialty stores. You might find them fresh as well. And you can order them online. Feel free to use spaghetti instead of the lo mein noodles.
Chow mein is made with fried noodles and is usually crunchy. It typically doesn’t have as much sauce as lo mein.

Shrimp Lo Mein Cooking Tips

  • This is a nice opportunity to let kids pick the vegetables they like to include in this recipe. They can also peel the carrots, measure and mix up the ingredients for the sauce, and peel the shrimp (wash hands thoroughly before and after!)
  • You can use either long spaghetti-thickness Chinese noodles, which might be labeled lo mein noodles, or you can use spaghetti. Just cook them according to package directions and make sure not to cook them past just tender. 
  • You can also bump up the ratio of vegetables and shrimp to noodles, resulting in a meal that looks and tastes great and does the right thing by your family nutritionally. My kids never flinch at a vegetable when it’s in the context of a stir fry.

What to Serve with Shrimp Lo Mein

Clean and Spicy Asian Greens

Asian Bok Choy

Simple Stir-Fried Vegetables

More Stir Fry Recipes

Woman serving up shrimp lo mein from a pan.

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Shrimp Lo Mein

5 from 8 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 People
A healthy and quick shrimp lo mein recipe, colorful and so easy; perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients 

  • ½ pound lo mein noodles or spaghetti
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¾ cup reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons less-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil divided
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 cups very small broccoli florets
  • ¾ cup thinly sliced carrots
  • ¾ cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined extra large shrimp

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt to the water, return the water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions, stopping two minutes or so before it is fully cooked. Drain the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl or container, combine the broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, sesame oil, and pepper.
  • In a large skillet or wok over high heat, heat 1 ½ teaspoons of the oil, then add the shrimp and sauté until the shrimp are almost (but not quite!) cooked, about 2 minutes. Transfer them to a plate and set aside. Add the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons of oil to the skillet, add the garlic, broccoli, carrots, and red pepper and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until everything starts to soften.
  • Return the shrimp to the pan along with the drained pasta and the sauce. Toss (tongs are great for this) over the high heat until the noodles absorb some of the sauce, everything is well mixed, and the rest of the sauce is slightly thickened, another 2 minutes or so. Serve hot.

Notes

    • This is a nice opportunity to let kids pick the vegetables they like to include in this recipe. They can also peel the carrots, measure and mix up the ingredients for the sauce, and peel the shrimp (wash hands thoroughly before and after!)
    • You can use either long spaghetti-thickness Chinese noodles, which might be labeled lo mein noodles, or you can use spaghetti. Just cook them according to package directions and make sure not to cook them past just tender. 
  •  
    • You can also bump up the ratio of vegetables and shrimp to noodles, resulting in a meal that looks and tastes great and does the right thing by your family nutritionally. My kids never flinch at a vegetable when it’s in the context of a stir fry.

Nutrition

Calories: 413.01kcal, Carbohydrates: 51.76g, Protein: 33.68g, Fat: 7.49g, Saturated Fat: 3.48g, Cholesterol: 285.76mg, Sodium: 2360.03mg, Potassium: 549.14mg, Fiber: 4.32g, Sugar: 5.3g, Vitamin A: 5167.63IU, Vitamin C: 82.56mg, Calcium: 205.64mg, Iron: 3.93mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Comments

  1. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe! Not only did it taste fantastic is was super easy.

    1. It would be fine, though the shrimp kight get a bit tougher, but I have absolutely reheated leftovers in the microwave the next day to much happiness!

  2. Totally loved this recipe!!!! Needed some more soy sauce but was really good. Next time will add mushrooms to the recipe!!! Very very good!!!!

  3. I was so hungry for oriental and this was easy to make and I had all ingredients.
    This is definitely a make again recipe.

  4. JUST RAN JNTO YOUR POST, AND WANTED A DELICIOUS RECEIPE FOR A EASY BUT CLASSY LOOKING SHRIMP LO MEIN RECEIPE TO MAKE FOR SUPPER. THIS IS IT! ALL THE INGREDIENTS WE LOVE. WE ARE BIG FISH EATERS, AS WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED ON THE WATER. WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT.
    VERY NICE TO SEE A ENDORSEMENT FROM REE, AS SHE IS
    ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAV’S.

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