Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Craving the irresistible flavors of takeout but want to whip up a homemade version in just minutes? Look no further than this Easy Panda Express Chow Mein recipe. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of kitchen magic, you can recreate the glossy, bouncy noodles that rival your favorite restaurant’s dish.

For those who grew up enjoying the iconic orange and red takeout boxes, this Panda Express-style chow mein is a nostalgic delight that brings back memories of twirling chopsticks and savoring each bite. The secret ingredient here is the umami-rich oyster sauce that elevates this dish to restaurant-worthy status.

Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick weeknight meal or a foodie wanting to experiment with flavors, this Easy Panda Express Chow Mein is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste buds. From adding extra veggies to swapping in different proteins, the possibilities are endless. So, why wait for delivery when you can create your own takeout masterpiece at home?

Quick Benefits

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just fifteen minutes, this Panda Express Chow Mein recipe allows you to enjoy a delicious homemade meal in a fraction of the time it would take to order takeout.
• Customizable: Easily adjust flavors and incorporate a variety of fresh vegetables to suit your preferences and dietary needs, making it a versatile dish for everyone to enjoy.
• Childhood Nostalgia: Recreate the beloved flavors of Panda Express at home and bring back memories of enjoying this classic dish with loved ones.
• Meal Prep and Freezer-Friendly: Perfect for meal prepping and freezing, this Chow Mein recipe allows you to enjoy a tasty homemade meal anytime with minimal effort and maximum convenience.

Why You’ll Love This Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe Recipe

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just fifteen minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving a delicious and satisfying meal without the wait.
• Customizable Flavors: You can adjust the flavors and load up on fresh veggies to suit your taste preferences, making it a versatile dish for the whole family to enjoy.
• Restaurant-Quality Taste: The secret ingredient of oyster sauce elevates this chow mein to a restaurant-worthy level, giving you that authentic Panda Express flavor at home.
• Leftover Friendly: Enjoy the delicious leftovers for up to three days by refrigerating them, or freeze individual portions for up to one month, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
• Versatile Options: You can make variations of this chow mein by using different noodles, veggies, and protein options, ensuring that there’s always a new twist to try.
• Kid-Friendly: Children love the taste of this chow mein and enjoy it in lunchboxes with a squeeze of sriracha, making it a hit with picky eaters as well.
• Cultural Significance: Delve into the history of Chinese American cuisine with this classic dish that has become a staple in takeout food culture, offering a flavorful piece of culinary history.
• Year-Round Appeal: With seasonal variations suggested, you can enjoy this dish all year round by incorporating different vegetables to suit the season and your personal taste preferences.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Perfect for meal prepping, you can freeze portions and reheat them easily, ensuring you always have a delicious and satisfying meal ready to go.
• Satisfying and Flavorful: The glossy, bouncy noodles paired with the savory sauce make this dish a delightful alternative to takeout, giving you big flavor in a short amount of time.

Ingredients for Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Noodles and Vegetables

• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced
• 1 pound fresh chow mein noodles

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cup low-sodium chicken stock or water
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 0.5 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce or vegetarian stir fry sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce

Pro Tips for Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Pro Tip 1: To achieve the glossy finish and slightly sweet soy-based sauce characteristic of Panda Express-style chow mein, be sure not to overcook the noodles. Keep them al dente when boiling and give them a quick toss with oil before stir-frying to prevent sticking.

Pro Tip 2: Experiment with different vegetables throughout the year to add variety and freshness to your chow mein. Try using shredded napa cabbage in the spring, sweet bell peppers or snap peas in the summer, and green onions or toasted sesame seeds in the fall for seasonal flavors and textures.

Pro Tip 3: For a protein boost, consider adding sliced chicken or tofu while stir-frying the vegetables. This will not only enhance the nutritional value of the dish but also make it a more satisfying and complete meal.

How to Make Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the sauce

Combine regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce or vegetarian stir fry sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, chicken stock or water, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the noodles

Boil a large pot of water. Blanch chow mein noodles for 20-30 seconds until just loosened. Drain in a colander without rinsing.

Step 3: Sauté the vegetables

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over high heat. Add sliced onion, cabbage, and celery and stir-fry for 1 minute until vegetables start to soften.

Step 4: Stir-fry noodles and sauce

Move the vegetables to one side of the pan. Pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil onto the empty side. Add drained noodles and prepared sauce. Stir everything together until noodles are coated and heated.

Step 5: Finish and serve

Take the chow mein off the heat and serve promptly while it is still hot.

Storage Tips

To store the finished Panda Express Chow Mein, refrigerate any cooled leftovers in a tightly sealed container for up to three days. When ready to enjoy again, gently reheat the chow mein in a pan with a splash of water to refresh the noodles and revive the sauce. If you plan to freeze portions, divide the prepared chow mein into meal prep containers once cooled. The frozen chow mein can be reheated straight from the freezer in a covered skillet with a splash of water. For best results, slightly undercook the veggies during the initial stir fry so they retain some crunchiness when reheated, maintaining the dish’s texture and flavors.

When storing or freezing the chow mein, ensure it’s in airtight containers to prevent any odors from seeping in and to maintain the dish’s freshness. By following these storage tips, you can enjoy the delicious Panda Express Chow Mein at a later time without compromising its taste or quality. Whether you’re meal prepping for busy nights or saving leftovers for another day, proper storage techniques will help preserve the dish’s flavors and textures for a satisfying meal each time.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have fresh chow mein noodles on hand, you can easily substitute them with fresh yakisoba ramen or even spaghetti for a similar texture. For a vegetarian version of this dish, swap the oyster sauce with a mushroom-based stir fry sauce and replace the chicken stock with water or vegetable stock. Additionally, feel free to add any crisp vegetables like snap peas or julienned carrots to enhance the dish with color and nutrients.

In place of oyster sauce, you can use vegetarian stir fry sauce or a mushroom-based sauce as a flavorful alternative. When using dried chow mein noodles, simply boil them until just tender according to the package instructions before proceeding with the recipe. To enhance the dish with extra protein, consider adding sliced chicken or tofu while stir-frying the vegetables. And for added color and crunch, feel free to incorporate julienned carrots, bean sprouts, or bell peppers into the chow mein.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving suggestion, try garnishing your Easy Panda Express Chow Mein with a sprinkle of crunchy toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions. This will add a pop of color and a burst of flavor to your dish, elevating its presentation and taste. Additionally, consider serving the chow mein alongside some crispy egg rolls or potstickers for a complete Asian-inspired meal that will impress your guests with its restaurant-quality taste and appearance.

To create a fun and interactive dining experience, set up a DIY chow mein bar where guests can customize their bowls with an array of toppings such as sliced chicken, tofu cubes, julienned carrots, and snap peas. This allows everyone to tailor their dish to their preferences, making it a crowd-pleasing option for gatherings or family dinner nights. Encourage guests to get creative with their combinations and explore different flavor profiles to make the meal truly their own.

FAQs for Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Can I use dried chow mein noodles instead of fresh?

Yes, dried chow mein noodles can be used. Simply boil them until just tender according to package instructions and proceed as directed in the recipe.

Can I substitute oyster sauce with something else for a vegetarian version?

Vegetarian stir fry sauce or mushroom sauce works well as a substitute for oyster sauce in this dish.

Should I do anything to the noodles after blanching them?

After blanching, drain the noodles and toss them lightly with oil to help prevent sticking before stir-frying.

Can I add protein like chicken or tofu to this chow mein?

Absolutely! Add sliced chicken or tofu while stir-frying the vegetables to include extra protein in your meal.

Conclusion

In just a few simple steps, you can recreate the irresistible flavors of Panda Express with this Easy Panda Express Chow Mein recipe. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this dish is sure to become a family favorite that brings everyone together around the table. The versatility of this recipe allows for endless variations and personal touches, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.

So, don’t hesitate to whip up a batch of this Easy Panda Express Chow Mein and treat yourself to a delicious and satisfying meal. The joy of cooking and sharing homemade dishes like this one is truly priceless, and your taste buds will thank you for the effort. Let the aroma of stir-fried noodles and fresh vegetables fill your kitchen, and savor every bite of this takeout-style dish made with love and care.

Quick & Delicious Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Homemade Panda Express-inspired Chow Mein with glossy noodles, veggies, and a secret touch of oyster sauce for that restaurant-worthy flavor in minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time7 min

Cook Time8 min

Total Time15 min

CuisineChinese American

Skill LevelEasy

Servings4 Servings (About 4 main dish servings)

Ingredients

Noodles and Vegetables

• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced
• 1 pound fresh chow mein noodles

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cup low-sodium chicken stock or water
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 0.5 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce or vegetarian stir fry sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce: Combine regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce or vegetarian stir fry sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, chicken stock or water, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
2. Cook the noodles: Boil a large pot of water. Blanch chow mein noodles for 20-30 seconds until just loosened. Drain in a colander without rinsing.
3. Sauté the vegetables: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over high heat. Add sliced onion, cabbage, and celery and stir-fry for 1 minute until vegetables start to soften.
4. Stir-fry noodles and sauce: Move the vegetables to one side of the pan. Pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil onto the empty side. Add drained noodles and prepared sauce. Stir everything together until noodles are coated and heated.
5. Finish and serve: Take the chow mein off the heat and serve promptly while it is still hot.