Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe: Irresistibly Tasty

Diving into a beloved chow mein recipe from Panda Express can transport you to a world of savory delights.

Memories of bustling Chinese-American restaurants flood back with every noodle.

Comfort and nostalgia blend perfectly in this simple yet satisfying dish.

Crisp vegetables and tender noodles dance together, creating a symphony of flavors.

Cooking at home means you control the ingredients and seasoning intensity.

Mastering this iconic takeout favorite becomes an exciting culinary adventure.

Each bite promises a delicious journey that brings restaurant magic right to your kitchen table.

Panda Express Chow Mein – Homemade and Just as Addictive

• Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this copycat Panda Express Chow Mein in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving quick and delicious Asian-inspired cuisine.
• Quick Prep Strategy: Chop vegetables and prepare sauce ingredients beforehand, transforming a potentially complicated recipe into a streamlined cooking experience that saves time and reduces stress.
• Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home: Recreate the beloved Panda Express taste without leaving your kitchen, using simple ingredients that deliver authentic, mouthwatering results that rival takeout.
• Customizable Nutrition Boost: Easily adapt the recipe by adding protein like chicken or tofu, or increasing vegetable variety to create a more nutritionally balanced meal that suits individual dietary preferences.

Panda Express Chow Mein Ingredients

• Chow Mein Noodles: The star of the dish, providing a classic Chinese stir-fried noodle foundation. Fresh or dried noodles work well, preferably wheat-based.
• Water: Essential for cooking noodles to the perfect al dente texture.

• Cabbage, Celery, Onions: A crisp trio that adds texture, flavor, and nutrition. Slice uniformly for even cooking and balanced bite.

• Garlic: Aromatic base that provides depth and authentic Asian flavor. Fresh garlic cloves are best.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking medium for stir-frying vegetables and noodles.
• Soy Sauce: Salty, umami foundation that brings classic Asian seasoning.
• Oyster Sauce: Rich, savory condiment that adds complexity and glossy finish.
• Sesame Oil: Fragrant oil that contributes nutty, distinctive Chinese cuisine essence. Use sparingly for best results.

Chow Mein Restaurant-Style Steps

Step 1: Boil Noodles

Cook noodles in boiling water following package directions.

Ensure noodles are al dente, maintaining a slight firmness as they will continue cooking later.

Step 2: Slice Vegetables

• Cabbage
• Celery
• Onions

Cut each vegetable into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Create Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sesame oil

Whisk together until well blended.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add vegetable oil and allow to warm.

Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.

• Onions
• Celery
• Cabbage

Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften but retain crispness.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Drain noodles and transfer directly to wok.

Pour sauce over noodles and vegetables.

Use tongs to toss and coat everything thoroughly.

Cook for additional 2-3 minutes, allowing noodles to develop slight crispiness in some areas.

Stir-Fry Prep for Chow Mein Copycat Recipes

• Cook noodles al dente to ensure they maintain a perfect chewy consistency when stir-fried, preventing them from becoming mushy during the final cooking stage.
• Slice vegetables uniformly to guarantee even cooking and create a visually appealing dish that cooks quickly and consistently.
• Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to blend flavors perfectly, ensuring each noodle gets coated with the signature Panda Express taste profile.
• Stir-fry vegetables quickly over high heat to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant colors, releasing maximum flavor without overcooking.
• Toss noodles in the sauce extensively, allowing them to absorb the flavors and develop slight crispy edges for an authentic restaurant-style chow mein experience.

Chow Mein Stored Safely

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer chow mein to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing noodle dishes with crispy textures.
• Warm noodles in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or oil to prevent sticking. Stir gently for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
• Place noodles in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Chow Mein Side Pairing Ideas

• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Crisp Riesling cuts through the richness of chow mein, balancing its savory notes with a bright, slightly sweet undertone that complements the noodles' salty profile.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Ice-Cold Chinese Tsingtao Beer provides a clean, light counterpoint to the dish's complex flavors, washing down the oil and salt with its smooth, crisp finish.
• Complementary Side Dish: Cucumber Salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds offers a cool, tangy contrast to the warm chow mein, adding a fresh texture and palate-cleansing element to the meal.
• Textural Flavor Enhancer: Pickled Vegetable Garnish like kimchi or quick-pickled radishes introduces a zesty, crunchy dimension that elevates the chow mein's umami-rich base, creating a more dynamic eating experience.

Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat Styles

• Gluten-Free Chow Mein: Swap wheat noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free spaghetti, ensuring all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Version: Replace oyster sauce with mushroom-based sauce or tamari, and add extra tofu or plant-based protein for substance.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash instead of traditional noodles, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining similar texture.
• Protein-Packed Option: Incorporate grilled chicken, shrimp, or beef strips directly into the stir-fry for additional protein and a heartier meal.

FAQs

• What type of noodles work best for this Panda Express Chow Mein recipe?

Fresh or thin wheat noodles are ideal. You can use fresh lo mein noodles, egg noodles, or even spaghetti in a pinch. Avoid thick, heavy pasta that might make the dish too dense.

• Is this recipe considered vegetarian?

Currently, this is a vegetable chow mein recipe. To make it fully vegetarian, replace oyster sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms or use soy sauce as a substitute.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free noodles. Rice noodles or 100% rice spaghetti work great as alternatives to traditional wheat noodles.

• How spicy is this Panda Express Chow Mein?

The recipe as written is not spicy. If you want heat, add red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or chopped fresh chili peppers during the stir-frying process to customize the spice level to your preference.

Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Panda Express chow mein brings authentic Chinese-American street flavor right to your kitchen, creating a quick and satisfying noodle experience. Crisp vegetables and savory sauce combine perfectly, letting anyone recreate this restaurant favorite with minimal cooking skills.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Noodles:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) lo mein egg noodles (or spaghetti as a substitute)

Vegetables:

• 1 cup sliced cabbage
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1/2 cup sliced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare boiling water and cook noodles until they reach a perfect al dente texture, ensuring they maintain a slight firmness for later cooking.
2. Meticulously slice cabbage, celery, and onions into uniform, thin strips to guarantee even cooking and professional presentation.
3. Create the signature sauce by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil in a compact mixing vessel, blending flavors that define the dish’s characteristic taste profile.
4. Ignite a wok or expansive skillet over medium-high thermal intensity, introducing vegetable oil to create a sizzling cooking environment.
5. Introduce minced garlic to the heated oil, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 30 seconds without scorching.
6. Swiftly incorporate sliced onions, celery, and cabbage into the garlic-infused oil, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crisp-tender consistency.
7. Drain the previously cooked noodles and transfer them directly into the vegetable-laden wok, ensuring complete integration.
8. Cascade the prepared sauce over the noodle and vegetable mixture, utilizing tongs to thoroughly coat and intermingle all components.
9. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, permitting select noodle sections to develop a subtle crispness and absorb the rich, complex flavors.

Notes

• Cook noodles al dente to maintain a perfect texture, ensuring they won’t turn mushy during further cooking in the wok.
• Prep vegetables uniformly for even cooking and professional-looking presentation, creating consistent bite and appearance.
• Whisk sauce ingredients separately to blend flavors deeply, allowing each component to integrate smoothly before combining with noodles.
• Use high heat and quick stir-frying technique to lock in vegetable crispness and prevent overcooking, maintaining vibrant colors and nutritional value.
• Customize recipe by adding protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra nutrition and variety.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and controlling salt content without compromising authentic flavor profile.
• Make gluten-free by substituting regular noodles with rice noodles or zucchini noodles for alternative dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg