Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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The easiest lo mein recipe ever! Use whatever veggies, noodles and protein you’ve got in the refrigerator, this lo mein comes out deliciousevery time!

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)Because it’s Monday and you need something quick and easy for dinner but also because you didn’t shop on the weekend like you planned and now you’ve got a random assortment of veggies that are begging to be finished off in the refrigerator.

And if you’re like me, then since Friday you’ve been battling 108ºF heat without and air conditioner in a portion of your house even though you were promised a brand new air conditioner when you moved in less than 8 months ago and one teeny tiny part isn’t working correctly which leaves you in the sweltering heat. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, thehome warranty people decide to give you the run around.?SEND HAAAALP and ice cold water.?Needless to say, cooking was the last thing on my mind.

Enter this clean-the-fridge lo mein recipe.

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)So what the what is a ‘clean the fridge’ lo mein? It’s exactly that! Friends this easy breezy totally customizable recipe for when you want Chinese take-out style noodles that are quick and easy to prepare at home and you wanna get that health factor in to by sticking everything you’ve got in the refrigerator into this one big bowl of lo mein.

What can you add in your lo mein?

Here’s the best part. JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. As long as you keep the sauce the same, you can use up all your leftover veggies you’ve got in the refrigerator along with ALL the protein you need to clean out too. Got leftover tofu? Dip it in a salt/cornstarch mixture, pan fry it, and add it in. It’s SOOOO GOOD.

Lemme break it down for you:

  • Veggies – I like to use mushrooms (i’ve used sh*taki and baby bellas both are DELISH), bok choy, scallions, sliced onions, coleslaw style shredded cabbage, matchstick carrots, and my all time favorite lo mein veggie – celery! But you could definitely use broccoli, zucchini, spinach (if you don’t mind that sort of thing), corn, bell peppers, green beans, and anything else you don’t mind twirling with noodles that are glistening with homemade lo mein sauce!
  • Protein – Chicken is the most obvious one, isn’t it? Marinate uncooked chicken with a few tablespoons of the same sauce we’re going to drizzle over our noodles. There’s no need for preparing a separate marinade! And other than chicken, you can try sliced beef or shrimp too! And if you’re extra bad ass, fry an egg and pop it on top of your lo mein bowl. This was lunch on Saturday and HELLO! GAME CHANGER. Never eating homemade lo mein in any other way ever again!
  • Noodles – Today i’m using yakisoba noodles that are available in the refrigerator section of your grocery store. But i’m going to tell you right now, it’s not a crime to use spaghetti either. Because if it was, i’d be guilty all the way. Asian style egg noodles or specified lo mein noodles are TOTALLY acceptable too! Use whatever you’ve got on hand!

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)Now that sauce!

This lo mein recipe is one that i’ve tested and retested over and over again and friends, it’s perfect! We love the sweet//savory//spicy mix of the sauce and I highly recommend using the recipe as written with both light soy sauce and the sweet soy sauce. The sauce is just:

  • light brown sugar
  • light soy sauce
  • sweet soy sauce
  • grated ginger
  • minced garlic
  • sesame oil
  • sriracha
  • water

It’s that easy! And just to make it easier, toss it all in a mason jar and give it a good shake. BAM>> your sauce it DONE. And if you’re thinking about using chicken, toss chicken with a big pinch of salt and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the lo mein sauce and give it a stir. Stir fry the chicken separately before adding it into the lo mein. Seriously easy chicken lo mein right at your fingertips.

The easiest homemade lo mein recipe iswhat needs to be made for dinner TONIGHT.

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

The easiest lo mein recipe ever! Use whatever veggies, noodles and protein you've got in the refrigerator, this lo mein comes out deliciousevery time!

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)

Ingredients

sauce:

  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup light soy sauce
  • 1/4 cupsweet soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste (or grated ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons sriracha (more or less to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons water

lo mein:

  • 11-12 ounces fresh yakisoba noodles (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon EACH canola oil AND minced garlic
  • 5 scallions, chopped (keep the greens separate from the whites)
  • 4-5 cups mixed veggies (I used bok choy, celery, sliced onions, mushrooms, coleslaw mix, matchstick carrots)

Instructions

  1. SAUCE: Add the ingredients for the sauce into a mason jar and give it a few shakes to combine, set aside.
  2. NOODLES: Cook the noodles according to package directions minus 1-2 minutes, because the noodles will continue to cook when we mix everything together. For the yakisoba noodles, I boiled them for just 1 minute.
  3. ASSEMBLY: Heat the oil in a large wok or skillet. Add the minced garlic and the whites from the scallions and stir fry for about 30 seconds to a minute or until fragrant. Add the mixed veggies to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies are al dente. Add the cooked noodles to the wok and give everything a good toss. If using cooked protein, add it in at this point. Drizzle with the prepared sauce and toss everything together and let sizzle for 1-2 minutes. Top with the reserved green parts of the scallion and toasted sesame seeds (if desired). Serve immediately!

Notes

  1. For the veggies - you can use just about anything! Broccoli, zucchini, spinach, corn, and green beans are some untraditional choices but would still be delicious!
  2. If using yakisoba noodles 2(5.6 ounce) packages makes about 11 ounces of noodles which is perfect for this recipe. If you don't have yakisoba noodles - you can use spaghetti, lo mein noodles, or even asian style egg noodles.
  3. If you want to use chicken in this recipe - just mix 8-10 ounces of uncooked chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and stir. Stir fry the chicken in a little bit of oil in a separate pan and toss into lo mein towards the end.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I'd love to see what you made!

IS THIS A GOOD CHOICE FOR YOU?

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)Nutritional facts are calculated using 1 cup mushrooms, 1 cup baby bok choy, 1 cup shredded cabbage, 1 cup sliced onions, and 1/2 cup matchstick carrots. Keep in mind that calories will vary based on the veggies//noodles//protein that you use.
Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)

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30 Minute Meals Comfort Foods Dinner 30 minute meals asian chinese Chinese take-out clean the fridge comfort food light brown sugar lo mein lo mein noodles sesame oil soy sauce spaghetti sriracha take-out vegan vegetarian yakisoba noodles

originally published on Jul 18, 2016 (last updated May 17, 2020)

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6 comments on “Clean The Fridge Lo Mein”

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  1. Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)

    Sharon Reply

    Can you just use regular soy sauce instead of sweet soy sauce (which I’ve never seen before)?

  2. Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (9)

    Naina Reply

    Oh My God! Finally I have found the recipe which is absolutely match with my Keto diet. This is so delicious. 🙂

  3. Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (10)

    janet Reply

    Is the light soy sauce the same thing as low-sodium soy sauce? Thank you!

    • Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (11)

      Marzia Reply

      Yup, same thing!

  4. Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (12)

    Yash Reply

    Personally loved it. Amazing Recipe.

    4.5

  5. Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (13)

    Barbara Reply

    Easy and delicious! The perfect way to use the plethora of veggies from my CSA and extra spaghetti. I can’t believe I never thought to do this before. I didn’t have “sweet soy sauce” but found that mixing equal parts brown sugar and soy sauce (mix over low heat until sugar is dissolved) is a good substitute. Good thing since I was distracted listening to a book and dumped my 1/4 cup soy sauce INTO my brown sugar container!

    5

Clean The Fridge Lo Mein Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

Can you put lo mein in the fridge? ›

Refrigerate leftover lo mein in an airtight storage container for up to 5 days. To Reheat.

How do you spice up bland lo mein? ›

Experiment with spices: Spice up your lo mein noodles by adding spices like garlic powder, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, or Chinese five-spice powder. These spices will add a layer of complexity and heat to your dish.

Do you rinse lo mein noodles? ›

Once done, remove the lo mein from the boiling water right away, and drain. Don't wait, or the noodles may become overcooked and mushy. Rinse your drained noodles under cold water after cooking. This removes any surface starch, preventing sticky noodles.

What is lo mein sauce made of? ›

Most commonly, lo mein involves chicken, beef, pork, turkey, shrimp or tofu. Sauce components: Lo mein sauce is mainly composed of sesame oil, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce and a dash of sugar. If you like your noodles to have a little heat, you can sprinkle in some red pepper flakes.

Is it OK to put Chinese food in the fridge? ›

Chinese leftovers should last between three to four days in the fridge, according to PreparedCooks. However, certain ingredients could last in different longevities. Shrimp, for example, has a short shelf life. This means that it might not last as long in the fridge.

How long can Chinese noodles stay in the fridge? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leftovers stored in your refrigerator can last about three to four days. This is a general rule for Chinese food and any other leftovers you may have.

What makes lo mein taste good? ›

Lo mein sauce

The sauce is what makes this dish so addictive. It's a simple umami filled mix of light and dark soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and a hint of ginger. It's super easy to make a batch of lo mein sauce and keep it in the fridge so you can easily make lo mein whenever the craving hits.

What gives lo mein its smoky flavor? ›

The best kind of restaurant-style stir-fried lo mein is subtle in flavor, with plenty of wok hei, the smoky flavor that results from the powerful flame of a restaurant wok burner licking up and over the back of the wok, singeing the oil and noodles.

How to keep lo mein from drying out? ›

Again, if your lo mein looks dry, add more water or chicken stock but remember it has too be very hot or boiling so it doesn't cool off the dish! Plate and serve with homemade chili oil or hot sauce on the side!

Do you rinse noodles in cold water after cooking? ›

No, in almost every case, you should not rinse pasta after it's cooked. It's true that rinsing noodles or pasta after cooking halts the cooking process. “This is also known as shocking,” Tiess says. But rinsing also removes the starch water after the noodles are strained, which is what helps adhere sauce to noodles.

What is the difference between lo mein and Cantonese lo mein? ›

Cantonese lo mein is stirred with a thin sauce and items such as wonton or beef brisket added on top. In contrast, U.S. lo mein noodles are usually stir-fried with a sauce made from soy sauce and other seasonings.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

Oyster sauce is commonly used in Chinese food and adds a savory, salty, umami flavor. Both can be found in most grocery stores. If you like, you can add grated or minced ginger or garlic. Serve your homemade brown sauce with a beef, chicken, or pork stir-fry or chow mein dish.

What are the best noodles to use for lo mein? ›

You want to buy an egg noodle or pasta that's relatively thin and has some tooth. Some common names will be lo mein, chow mein, egg noodles or pancit noodles. Most markets have Japanese yaki soba noodles in the cold case, and those would work perfectly.

What sauce do Chinese restaurants use? ›

Soy sauce (jiàng yóu, 酱油), the most common of Chinese sauces, sounds simple, and for the most part, it is. However, there are many types, each unique to different Asian cuisines (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc.).

Is it safe to eat leftover lo mein? ›

Also, don't eat any leftovers that have been in your fridge for more than three or four days, or in your freezer for more than three or four months.

What's the best way to reheat lo mein? ›

The stovetop method, particularly using a frying pan or large skillet, is undoubtedly the best way to reheat lo mein. It's not just reheating; it's almost like giving your noodles a second round of stir-frying. This method works wonders in retaining the depth of flavor and keeping the noodles al dente.

Can I put cooked noodles in the fridge? ›

Cooked pasta should last three to five days stored in the refrigerator. After that, it will lose its flavor and the potential for mold increases.

How long can lo mein be left out? ›

As a general rule, food should never be left out for over two hours within this zone; higher temperatures prove greater risk, so food should be refrigerated after no longer than an hour if it is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

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