Savory Beef Lo Mein with Broccoli and Bell Peppers
This delightful dish combines tender slices of flank steak with fresh broccoli and vibrant bell peppers, all coated in a savory hoisin and sesame sauce. Inspired by the American Test Kitchen recipe, this Beef Lo Mein not only captivates the palate but also brings a burst of colors to your plate. Though it requires several steps, the end result is a deliciously satisfying meal that is worth the effort. Just a piece of advice: keep an eye on the noodles to ensure they reach the perfect al dente texture, creating a great balance with the stir-fried vegetables and tender beef.
2
Servings
340
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons (none)
soy sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons (none)
flank steak
8 ounces (trimmed and sliced thin against grain)
chicken broth
1/3 cup (none)
cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon (none)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
fresh ginger
1 teaspoon (grated)
vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided)
broccoli florets
6 ounces (cut into 1-inch pieces)
water
2 1/2 tablespoons (none)
red bell pepper
1/2 (cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips and halved crosswise)
scallions
6 (white parts sliced thin, green parts cut into 1-inch pieces)
fresh Chinese noodles or dried linguine
6 ounces or 4 ounces (none)
asian chili-garlic sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside 1 1/2 tablespoons of this mixture in a separate bowl and add the sliced flank steak. Cover and marinate the beef in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour to enhance the flavor. Stir the chicken broth and cornstarch into the remaining sauce mixture until smooth.
2
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, grated ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil, mixing well.
3
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over high heat until it begins to smoke. Add the marinated beef to the skillet, ensuring it's in a single layer. Avoid stirring for the first minute to allow it to sear properly. After one minute, stir the beef and cook for an additional minute until it is well-browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and transfer it to a clean bowl.
4
Wipe the skillet clean, then add another 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil. Heat over high heat until smoking again. Add the broccoli and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in 2 1/2 tablespoons of water, cover the skillet, and steam the broccoli for about 2 minutes, until it becomes bright green. Uncover and cook until any remaining water has evaporated and the broccoli starts to brown, about 2 more minutes. Transfer the broccoli to the bowl with the beef.
5
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to the skillet, followed by the bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until it is crisp-tender and spotty brown. Mix in the scallions and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until they wilt. Push the vegetables to the sides of the skillet, then add the garlic and ginger mix to the center, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Combine the garlic mixture with the vegetables and add the cooked beef and broccoli, along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl.
6
Whisk the broth mixture again to ensure it's combined and pour it into the skillet. Simmer the mixture for about 1 minute, or until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and keep covered to stay warm.
7
While the beef and vegetables are cooking, bring a large pot of 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the fresh Chinese noodles (or dried linguine) and cook according to package directions, stirring often until tender. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain and return the noodles to the pot.
8
Add the beef and vegetable mixture along with the chili-garlic sauce to the noodles. Toss to combine, adjusting the consistency with the reserved cooking water as needed. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
41g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Beef Lo Mein?
Savory Beef Lo Mein is a stir-fried noodle dish featuring tender flank steak, broccoli, and bell peppers tossed in a rich hoisin and sesame-based sauce.
What cut of beef is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of flank steak, trimmed and sliced thin against the grain.
How long should I marinate the flank steak?
The beef should be marinated in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour to maximize flavor.
What is in the marinade for the beef?
The marinade is made from a small portion of the main sauce mixture, which includes hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 340 calories, 12g of fat, 41g of carbohydrates, and 20g of protein.
What type of noodles should I use for Lo Mein?
You can use 6 ounces of fresh Chinese noodles or 4 ounces of dried linguine as a substitute.
How do I prepare the broccoli for this dish?
The broccoli should be cut into 1-inch florets and then steamed in the skillet with a bit of water before browning.
What is the secret to perfectly seared beef in this recipe?
Heat the oil until it smokes and let the beef sit in a single layer without stirring for the first minute to ensure a good sear.
How do I thicken the Lo Mein sauce?
The sauce is thickened using 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with chicken broth and the sauce base.
What vegetables are included in this Lo Mein?
The dish includes broccoli florets, red bell pepper, and scallions.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a mild kick from 1 1/2 teaspoons of Asian chili-garlic sauce, which is added at the end.
Should I save the noodle water?
Yes, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water before draining to help adjust the consistency of the final dish.
How do I prep the aromatics like garlic and ginger?
The garlic should be minced and the ginger grated, then mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of oil before stir-frying.
What temperature should I cook the beef at?
The beef should be cooked over high heat in a non-stick skillet until it is well-browned.
How should the scallions be sliced?
The white parts should be sliced thin, while the green parts should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
How long does it take to steam the broccoli?
Cover the skillet and steam the broccoli for about 2 minutes, then uncover and cook for another 2 minutes.
How do I prepare the bell pepper?
Cut the red bell pepper into 1/2-inch-wide strips and then halve them crosswise.
When do I add the garlic and ginger to the skillet?
Push the other vegetables to the sides of the skillet and add the garlic and ginger to the center for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
What oil is used for stir-frying?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of vegetable oil, added in stages throughout the cooking process.
What is the total amount of hoisin sauce needed?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water for the sauce?
The recipe specifically uses 1/3 cup of chicken broth combined with cornstarch for the sauce base.
What should the texture of the noodles be?
The noodles should be cooked until tender, aiming for an al dente texture that balances the vegetables and beef.
How much soy sauce is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
How much sesame oil is required?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil.
What do I do with the sauce once it is in the skillet?
Simmer the sauce mixture for about 1 minute until it has thickened before removing from heat.
How do I combine the final dish?
Toss the beef, vegetables, and sauce with the cooked noodles, adding reserved water if the mixture is too thick.
How much broccoli is needed?
You will need 6 ounces of broccoli florets.
Is the ginger fresh or powdered?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger.
What inspired this recipe?
This Beef Lo Mein recipe is inspired by the American Test Kitchen version.