There’s something so comforting about this easy-to-make **Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe** — it’s the perfect blend of tender noodles, savory sauce, and those plump, juicy shrimp that make every bite a delight. It’s quick enough to whip up on a busy weeknight but special enough to impress anyone at your dinner table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can have this delicious dinner on the table in just about 20 minutes, perfect for busy days.
- Simple Ingredients: It uses everyday pantry staples and fresh veggies that give it a fresh, vibrant flavor.
- Customizable: Whether you want to spice it up or keep it mild, you can tweak it easily to suit your taste.
- Family Favorite: My family can’t get enough of this, and I bet yours will feel the same way!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe come together beautifully for a tasty, balanced dish. Key tips: fresh shrimp makes all the difference, and getting your noodles just right is key to that perfectly chewy texture.
- Lo mein noodles: Look for fresh if you can, but dried works fine too just follow package instructions carefully.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a lovely fruity note and helps everything sauté evenly.
- Carrot: Thinly slice so it cooks quickly but still keeps a slight crunch.
- Raw shrimp (peeled and deveined): Medium-sized shrimp cook fast and stay juicy without turning rubbery.
- Minced garlic: Fresh garlic gives the dish that irresistible aromatic punch.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Controls saltiness—you can always add more if needed.
- Teriyaki sauce: Brings in a hint of sweetness and depth; use your favorite bottle or homemade version.
- Green onions: Both cooked and fresh as garnish, they add a nice sharpness and color.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): I love adding these for a gentle heat but it’s totally up to you.
Variations
I like to play around with this Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe depending on what’s on hand or who’s eating. It’s flexible, and making it your own is part of the fun!
- Vegetable Boost: I often add snap peas, bell peppers, or baby corn for extra crunch and color.
- Protein Swap: If you’re not into shrimp, chicken or tofu make amazing alternatives.
- Gluten-Free: Using gluten-free noodles, tamari in place of soy sauce, and a gluten-free teriyaki sauce keeps it fully friendly for gluten-sensitive pals.
- Heat Level: Crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha can turn up the temperature if you like things spicy.
How to Make Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Start by cooking your lo mein noodles according to the package. I like to undercook them by 30 seconds so they still have some bite after you stir-fry. Once done, drain them well and set aside so they don’t get soggy.
Step 2: Sauté the Carrots and Shrimp
Heat your extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat—when it’s shimmering, toss in your thinly sliced carrots. Cook them for about 2 minutes until they start softening but stay crisp. Push them to the side of the pan and add the shrimp. Stir-fry the shrimp for around 3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque—don’t overcook or they’ll get tough.
Step 3: Add the Sauces and Noodles
Push the shrimp and carrots together and add the minced garlic; stirring it quickly to release those amazing aromas. Then pour in the low sodium soy sauce and teriyaki sauce, followed by the green onions and noodles. Toss everything together carefully and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes so the noodles soak up the sauce and flavors marry beautifully.
Step 4: Final Touch and Serve
If you like a little heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes now and give it one last toss. Take it off the heat, garnish with extra sliced green onions, and you’re ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cooks fast, so keep an eye on the color—it should just turn pink and opaque to stay tender.
- Noodles with Bite: Slightly undercook your noodles so they don’t mush after mixing with sauce and shrimp.
- Use a Hot Pan: This helps quickly sear shrimp and veggies, adding a lovely texture and flavor.
- Avoid Watery Sauce: Make sure to drain your noodles well and cook off any excess moisture for a saucier but not soggy dish.
How to Serve Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
Garnishes
I always add extra green onions when serving because they bring brightness and a bit of crunch. Sometimes a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a lovely nutty contrast, which my family totally loves.
Side Dishes
This shrimp lo mein tastes fantastic with simple sides like steamed bok choy, a crunchy cucumber salad, or even some classic egg rolls if you want a full takeout-style meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, I love serving this in individual bowls with a wedge of lime on the side to brighten flavors. Another fun idea is to toss the lo mein inside hollowed-out bell peppers for a colorful presentation that wows your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the meal, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It usually keeps well for 2 days, just be sure to cool it completely before sealing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
Freezing lo mein is possible but I’ve found noodles get a bit softer after thawing, so I recommend only freezing if you’re okay with a slightly softer texture. Freeze in a tight container or zip bag for up to 1 month.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer tossing the leftover lo mein into a preheated skillet on medium heat. Adding a splash of water or broth helps revitalize the noodles and keeps shrimp tender without drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp in this Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp fully and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture in your pan, which can cause your noodles to get soggy.
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What’s the best noodle type for Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe?
Traditional lo mein noodles are ideal as they have the perfect chew. If you can’t find them, spaghetti or thin egg noodles work well as substitutes.
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How can I make this recipe gluten free?
Use gluten-free noodles, swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, and make sure your teriyaki sauce is gluten free. This simple switch is very effective!
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Can I add other vegetables to this Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe?
Definitely! I love adding bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms for even more flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe is one of those meals I always fall back on because it’s easy, flavorful, and gets everyone around the table smiling. I hope you’ll try it out soon and maybe even add your own twist — it’s all about making it your own and enjoying the process as much as the dish itself!
Print
Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
A flavorful and quick Shrimp Lo Mein recipe featuring tender shrimp, crisp carrots, and savory noodles tossed in a delicious blend of soy and teriyaki sauces. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles
Vegetables and Shrimp
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 pound medium sized raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup green onion, roughly chopped plus more for garnish
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook noodles: Cook the lo mein noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Heat oil and sauté carrots: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced carrots and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly tender.
- Cook shrimp: Push the carrots to the side of the skillet, add the peeled and deveined shrimp, and sauté for about 3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Add garlic and sauces: Stir the garlic into the skillet, then pour in the soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Add the green onions, cooked noodles, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir continuously and cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine all flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish with additional green onions, and serve immediately.
Notes
- To make gluten free shrimp lo mein, use gluten free lo mein noodles, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and ensure the teriyaki sauce is gluten free.
- You can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level or omit them for a mild flavor.
- If you prefer more vegetables, adding bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms works well in this recipe.
- For added protein variation, substitute shrimp with chicken or tofu.
