Today, I've got a game-changer for your weeknight dinners – Instant Pot Lo Mein. Picture this: minimal effort, maximum flavor. With the Instant Pot, we're whipping up a delicious Lo Mein Instant Pot recipe that'll have you hooked from the first bite. Say goodbye to lengthy prep and hello to a speedy, satisfying meal.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Restaurant Quality: This pressure cooker recipe delivers authentic flavors, comparable to your favorite Chinese takeout.
- Quick Preparation: The Instant Pot slashes cooking time, making this Lo Mein perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: You can easily swap in your preferred veggies or proteins for a personalized dish.
📋 Ingredients
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic flavor and is essential for stir-frying the chicken and vegetables, helping them develop a rich, savory taste.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cooks quickly, absorbs the flavors of the sauce well, and adds a hearty texture to the dish.
- Mushrooms (Sliced Or Quartered): Add an earthy flavor and a satisfying chewiness that contrasts well with the other ingredients.
- Minced Garlic: Adds a pungent, savory note that enhances the overall flavor profile of the Lo Mein.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce & Hoisin Sauce: Combine to create the signature sweet-savory, umami-rich sauce that coats every noodle and piece of chicken.
- Chicken Broth: Used to cook the noodles, it imparts a deep, savory flavor that makes the dish taste even more satisfying.
- Fettuccine (Broken In Half): Works well in this dish, its thickness and texture holding up well to stir-frying and soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Cornstarch & Water: Create a slurry that thickens the sauce, ensuring it clings to every noodle and ingredient.
- Carrot Matchsticks, Snow Peas, & Shredded Cabbage: Add a fresh crunch, a pop of color, and a variety of flavors that balance the richness of the sauce and chicken.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Protein Switch: Experiment with different proteins like shrimp, beef, or tofu for a unique flavor twist. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Veggie Medley: Customize your vegetable mix by adding bell peppers, broccoli, green onions or baby corn. Mix and match to suit your preferences. Vegetable Lo Mein tastes fantastic.
- Spice It Up: Introduce heat with a touch of red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick. Adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Egg Addition: Scramble an egg and stir it into the Lo Mein noodles during the final stages of cooking for added richness and texture.
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Lo Mein
Here are the step-by-step instructions for Instant Pot Lo Mein
- Add sesame oil, chicken, mushrooms and garlic to the Instant Pot.
- Add chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and fettuccine to the pot.
- Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes and then do a quick release of the pressure.
- Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl then pour onto cooked noodles. Break up the noodles and toss to combine.
- Add the carrot matchsticks, cabbage and snow peas, gently mixing to combine. Replace your Instant Pot lid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve your Lo Mein.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Prep First: Slice and dice all ingredients before starting for a seamless cooking process.
- Quick Pressure Release: Release pressure promptly after cooking to maintain crisp vegetables.
- Even Thickness: When adding the cornstarch slurry, toss well to ensure even coating for a thick, flavorful sauce.
💭 FAQs
Absolutely! While traditional lo mein noodles work wonderfully, feel free to experiment with your favorite noodles. Egg noodles, rice noodles, or even soba noodles can be excellent alternatives.
To reduce saltiness, dilute the sauce by adding a bit more water or low-sodium chicken broth. For flavor adjustments, try incorporating a touch of honey, a sprinkle of brown sugar, or a splash of rice vinegar to balance the taste.
Chow mein typically features crispy noodles that are stir-fried until crunchy, while lo mein involves soft, boiled noodles mixed with a variety of ingredients in a flavorful sauce.
Allow the Instant Pot Lo Mein to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness. If batch cooking, consider freezing portions in sealed freezer bags or containers. Lo Mein can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite Chinese dishes to serve with Lo Mein Recipe:
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken: Zesty orange flavor and tender chicken complement the rich umami of the lo mein.
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Pork Stir Fry: Savory teriyaki sauce and pork stir-fried to perfection for a balanced blend of textures and tastes.
- Instant Pot Fire Cracker Chicken: A spicy kick that contrasts with the comforting lo mein, creating a dynamic and flavorful meal.
- Vegetable Spring Rolls: Light and crispy, these rolls offer a refreshing contrast to the savory noodles.
- Sesame Ginger Edamame: A side of this flavorful edamame with sesame seeds adds protein and a burst of freshness to the meal.
- Crispy Wontons: Crunchy wontons paired with oyster sauce provide a delightful textural experience alongside the Lo Mein.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Lo Mein Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 2 Chicken Breast cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 cups Mushrooms sliced or quartered
- 4 tablespoon Garlic Minced
- 2 tablespoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Hoisin Sauce
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 lb Fettuccine broken in half
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon Water
- 1 cup Carrots
- 1 cup Snow Peas
- ½ cup Cabbage Shredded
Instructions
- Add sesame oil, chicken, mushrooms and garlic to the Instant Pot.
- Add chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and fettuccine to the pot.
- Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes and then do a quick release of the pressure.
- cornstarch and water in a small bowl then pour onto cooked noodles. Break up the noodles and toss to combine.
- Add the carrot matchsticks, cabbage and snow peas, gently mixing to combine. Replace your Instant Pot lid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve your Lo Mein.
Notes
Nutrition
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- Air Fryer Chicken Curry
- Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Tater Tot Casserole
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
I don’t see where the cabbage is added in your lo mein recipe??!!
Hi Margo, cabbage is added with the carrots and snowpeas 🙂
I was wondering when adding the carrots, cabage and snow peas, I put back the lid, but do I cook pressure for 5-10 minutes in order for the veggies to cook?
Thank you very very much for sharing this recipe.
The veggies should steam cook if you place the lid back on for five minutes without the need for pressure cooking. However if you wish you can re-pressure for 2 minutes and that will work too.
I don’t see where the cabbage is added in your lo mein recipe??!!
Hi Margo, cabbage is added with the carrots and snowpeas 🙂
I was wondering when adding the carrots, cabage and snow peas, I put back the lid, but do I cook pressure for 5-10 minutes in order for the veggies to cook?
Thank you very very much for sharing this recipe.
The veggies should steam cook if you place the lid back on for five minutes without the need for pressure cooking. However if you wish you can re-pressure for 2 minutes and that will work too.