There’s something deeply satisfying about a big, steaming bowl of lo mein. The glossy noodles, tender slices of beef, and crisp-tender broccoli all tossed together in a rich, savory sauce create a perfect balance of texture and flavor. This Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein recipe delivers all the comfort of your favorite takeout order but with the freshness and customization that comes from making it yourself at home.
What makes this dish stand out is its sauce — a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and honey (or brown sugar) that strikes the perfect balance between salty, umami, and sweet. A splash of rice vinegar brightens the flavors, and the optional browning sauce deepens the color to give it that restaurant-style appearance. Combined with perfectly seared beef and just-tender broccoli, the sauce clings to every strand of noodle, making each bite deeply flavorful.
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can use flank steak for its rich beefy flavor or sirloin for its tenderness. Broccoli gives the dish a boost of color and nutrients, but you can easily swap in other vegetables like bok choy, snow peas, or carrots. Even better, this entire recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that tastes like you’ve spent hours preparing it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better than takeout – Fresh ingredients, customizable flavors.
- Fast & easy – Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Balanced flavors – Sweet, salty, umami-rich sauce.
- One wok meal – Less cleanup, maximum flavor.
- Family-friendly – Easily adaptable to different tastes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Sauce
- ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup oyster sauce
- ½ cup honey (or brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon browning sauce (optional, for deeper color)
For the Steak
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, sliced thinly against the grain
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
For the Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- ⅛ cup garlic, diced
- ⅛ cup fresh ginger, diced
- 16 ounces broccoli florets
- 16 ounces noodles (lo mein, spaghetti, or other long pasta)
For the Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package instructions until just tender. Drain well and set aside. Toss lightly with a splash of sesame oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and browning sauce (if using). In another small bowl, stir the cornstarch and cold water together to make a slurry. Gradually whisk the slurry into the soy sauce mixture until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
Step 3: Marinate the Beef
Place the sliced beef in a large bowl. Add soy sauce, cornstarch, rice wine vinegar, and ground ginger. Stir until the beef is fully coated. Let it sit for about 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.
Step 4: Sear the Beef
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add sesame oil, swirling to coat the surface. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the beef in a single layer. Sear for about 2 minutes without stirring to develop a nice crust, then stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until cooked to your preference. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
Step 5: Stir-Fry the Vegetables and Noodles
In the same wok, add a bit more sesame oil if needed. Add diced onion, garlic, and ginger, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Add broccoli florets and stir-fry for another 2 minutes. Toss in the cooked noodles, stirring well to combine.
Step 6: Add the Sauce and Beef
Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and vegetables. Toss everything together so the sauce evenly coats each noodle strand. Add the cooked beef back to the wok and stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7: Serve
Transfer the beef and broccoli lo mein to serving bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor and color. Serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- Control the sweetness – Use less honey or swap for brown sugar if you prefer a deeper molasses note.
- Add more heat – Stir in a spoonful of chili paste or red pepper flakes for spice.
- Make it vegetarian – Swap the beef for tofu or mushrooms and use vegetable broth in the sauce.
- Boost the veggies – Add bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots for more color and nutrition.
- Meal prep tip – Slice and marinate the beef up to a day ahead to save time.
Perfect Side Dishes
This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own but pairs beautifully with:
- Vegetable spring rolls – for extra crunch.
- Asian cucumber salad – cool and refreshing.
- Steamed dumplings – to make it a full takeout-style spread.
- Egg drop soup – for a cozy starter.
Nutritional Notes
Using low-sodium soy sauce helps keep the salt in check while still delivering flavor. Broccoli adds vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants, making this a balanced meal. Flank steak is lean yet flavorful, especially when sliced thinly and cooked quickly to preserve tenderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli? Yes, just thaw and pat dry before adding to the stir fry to prevent excess water.
What noodles are best? Lo mein noodles are ideal, but spaghetti or linguine work in a pinch.
How do I store leftovers? Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water.
Can I make this gluten-free? Yes, use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles.
Final Thoughts
This Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein is the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat. It’s quick, easy, and infinitely adaptable — the perfect solution for busy weeknights or when you’re craving takeout flavors without the delivery wait. The combination of savory beef, vibrant broccoli, and silky noodles tossed in a rich, umami-packed sauce will have everyone at the table going back for seconds. Once you see how simple it is to make lo mein at home, you may never order it from a restaurant again.
The Goods
Beef and Broccoli Lomein
We appreciate you taking the time to rate!
Recipes
For the Sauce
- ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup oyster sauce
- ½ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon browning sauce optional, for deeper color
For the Steak
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin sliced thinly against the grain
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
For the Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- ¼ cup onion diced
- ⅛ cup garlic diced
- ⅛ cup fresh ginger diced
- 16 ounces broccoli florets
- 16 ounces noodles lo mein, spaghetti, or other long pasta
- For the Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package instructions until just tender. Drain well and set aside. Toss lightly with a splash of sesame oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and browning sauce (if using). In another small bowl, stir the cornstarch and cold water together to make a slurry. Gradually whisk the slurry into the soy sauce mixture until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
Step 3: Marinate the Beef
- Place the sliced beef in a large bowl. Add soy sauce, cornstarch, rice wine vinegar, and ground ginger. Stir until the beef is fully coated. Let it sit for about 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.
Step 4: Sear the Beef
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add sesame oil, swirling to coat the surface. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the beef in a single layer. Sear for about 2 minutes without stirring to develop a nice crust, then stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until cooked to your preference. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
Step 5: Stir-Fry the Vegetables and Noodles
- In the same wok, add a bit more sesame oil if needed. Add diced onion, garlic, and ginger, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Add broccoli florets and stir-fry for another 2 minutes. Toss in the cooked noodles, stirring well to combine.
Step 6: Add the Sauce and Beef
- Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and vegetables. Toss everything together so the sauce evenly coats each noodle strand. Add the cooked beef back to the wok and stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7: Serve
- Transfer the beef and broccoli lo mein to serving bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor and color. Serve hot.
Leave a Reply