Dinner is sorted thanks to this deliciously simple Noodle & Beef Chow Mein. Packed full of cabbage, carrot, beef mince, curry powder and noodles – this is a winner with the whole family.
I have to start off by saying that this recipe nearly didn’t make it onto the blog. And it’s wasn’t because it was a bad recipe, but just because I actually don’t really like beef chow mein. I know, I’m weird, right!? In fact, I’ve never liked it. I’ll eat it if it’s there, but I certainly don’t go jumping from the ceiling in celebration about it. On the other hand, my husband loves it. It’s one of his favourite dinners. So we kind of compromise and have it occasionally. And so that’s why it’s here.. because most normal people love beef chow mein!
And I suppose what’s not to love? It’s a quick and easy dinner which is really budget friendly. It’s also big in the flavour department! Yep, there’s a whole lot going on!
Actually, there is one thing that I do really like about chow mein – that it’s probably the yummiest way I know to eat cabbage. The cabbage actually tastes really good in beef chow mein! And that’s really saying something… for cabbage is not the tastiest of vegetables to ever land on this earth.
Gosh I’m not really doing a great job of selling this recipe am I? If you like beef chow mein, it actually is really delicious (according to my super reliable source…aka Dave). And if you’re not a fan, you’ll be able to eat a bowl without any fuss.
I like to drizzle a little extra soy sauce over my chow mein to give it an added boost of flavour, but I know others find the soy in the recipe to be enough. Each to their own! Have a little taste and adjust the amount of soy sauce accordingly. Actually the sae goes with the curry paste – I kind of sit on the fence and put in a little bit, but feel free to go crazy and amp it up, or leave it out altogether (I do think it tastes better with at least a little bit of curry powder though!).
Sometimes I serve the chow mein on top of buttered toast (mmmm butter), but othertimes I’ll just have it plain and simple on it’s own in a bowl. And so that’s it! My easy Noodle & Beef Chow Mein recipe that is really quite yummy.. even if you don’t usually like chow mein!
Are you a beef chow mein fan? Even if you’re not – give this one a go! It might just change your mind. xx
Don’t forget to check out all of my other main meal recipes (they’re quick, easy and super yum!).
Noodle & Beef Chow Mein - Conventional Method
Ingredients
- 2 tbs oil
- 500 g beef mince
- 1 brown onion chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tbs ginger finely minced
- 2 tsp curry powder more or less depending on your taste preferences
- 2 carrots finely chopped
- 1/2 cabbage shredded
- 250 ml water
- 1 tsp veg stock
- 1/3 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tbs soy sauce
- 350 g Singapore noodles or thin hokkien noodles
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the beef mince and chopped onion.
- Saute until the mince has browned and the onion has softened (approx 5 minutes).
- Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook until fragrant (approx 1-2 minutes).
- Add the carrots, cabbage, water, chicken stock, oyster sauce and soy sauce and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the noodles according to the packet instructions.
- Drain noodles and add to the chow mein.
- Stir to combine and cook for a further 1 minute.
- Serve with extra soy sauce, sesame seeds or chopped peanuts.
Noodle & Beef Chow Mein - Thermomix Method
Ingredients
- 1 brown onion halved
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbs ginger finely minced
- 2 carrots roughly chopped
- 2 tbs oil
- 500 g beef mince
- 300 ml water
- 2 tbs cornflour
- 2 tsp curry powder more or less depending on your taste preferences
- 1 tsp veg stock concentrate
- 1/3 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tbs soy sauce
- 1/2 cabbage shredded
- 350 g Singapore noodles or thin hokkien noodles
Instructions
- Place the garlic and brown onion into the TM bowl and chop on Speed 6 for 5 seconds.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the carrot and chop by pressing Turbo 4-5 times (or until it's the chunkiness you desire).
- Add the minced ginger and the oil.
- Saute on Varoma, Reverse Speed 2 for 4 minutes.
- Add the beef mince and cook on Varoma, Reverse Speed 2 for 4 minutes.
- Mix the cornflour and water together until no lumps remain.
- Add the cornflour mixture, curry powder, vegetable stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce and the cabbage to the bowl.
- Cook on 100 degrees, Reverse Speed 1 for 4 minutes (you'll need to use the spatula to push the cabbage down).
- Meanwhile place the noodles into the ThermoServer and cover with boiling water (time will be specified on the packet).
- Drain the noodles and add to the TM bowl.
- Mix on Reverse Speed 2 for 1 minute (using the spatula to help mix everything together).
- Place into the ThermoServer and leave for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
- Serve with a little extra soy sauce, sesame seeds or chopped peanuts.
This dish takes me back to childhood. In those days of the meat and three veg style plates, I loved it when my mum made this ‘ exotic’ dish. It was akin to eating take away food to me. The leftover were served on toast for an easy Sunday dinner ( after the traditional roast lunch of course). Thanks for bringing me this memory. Must cook it myself , though if my husband finds out it has cabbage there will be the ‘little kid tantrum’ hahahaha
Hahaha yes Dave loves it on toast too!
Oh I know what you mean! Mum used to make chow mein when we were kids and I could not stand it! However I’ve made it a few times over the years and put my own spin on it and can now at least kind of enjoy it which is a good thing as Scott and the boys LOVE it!
Isn’t it funny!!! I add heaps of soy sauce to mine lol!
To be honest, Lucy, I have never had a Noodle & Beef Chow Mein before! But I am a cabbage enthusisat, and it does look bursting with flavors. Pinning to try later!
Enjoy!
I dont think I have actually ever tried chow mein but the ingredients in your recipe sound like they would be nice together and the pics look good too- might have to try it now!
Definitely try it! It’s such a cheap and easy meal.
Hi Lucy! I want to try your recipe but I’m just wondering why does it look overcooked.
Hmm I think it may possibly be the photos – this is how we’ve always eaten it though! It’s definitely not overcooked – I promise!!
Looks like a great family meal to me. I’ll have to try your recipe because the last time I attempted a similar thing Zadada of all people turned his nose up at it! xx
These Beef chow-mien looks so delicious, Lucy. This texture and flavors are awesome!
Thank you so much xx
Oh yum! Chow Mein has always been one of my favourites and this version looks delicious!
Pinned! That really looks tasty, and a good way of using beef mince which I generally find a bit bland, but this looks packed with flavour!
Oh it really is!
This looks good, Lucy.The vegies are really tucked away in there so my Max might even give it a go. I’ll let you know if we make it. x
Good luck Bron!
Made this dish tonight, hit all round! Thank you!
That’s so great to hear! I’ll have to let my hubby know as he loves it too!
Looks nice,I like to put a pkt of chicken noodle soup in mine
Perfect!
I am making this for dinner tonight and have just realised I have no TM vege stock made up & I have no time to get to the shops either! Could you please advise me what alternative I could use?
Hey Amy, you can just use vegetable stock powder instead (or beef stock powder). xx
Thanks for posting this, a modern way of cooking a traditional fave! The flavours were great, but my meat really lost texture and went paste-like. I used a good quality lean mince – do you think a regular mince with a bit of fat in it would’ve held up better?
Hi Casey, I generally use quite lean mince and it’s always been fine. But yes, a cheaper mince would certainly be a bit ‘tougher’ so to speak!! xx
Can’t wait to try this for my girls, does it freeze well? I’m really keen on those meals that keep the freezer stash afloat!
It absolutely does freeze well!!!