10 Minute Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein

A quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s even better than takeout! Try my 10 Minute Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein when you’re craving a healthy meal with lots of flare.

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Save time and money on your usual Chinese takeout with this 10 Minute Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein. Using a handful of ingredients, this recipe is exploding with flavor and is a great option when you need something quick or comforting.

Easy and flexible meals are what busy families crave, and this recipe is no exception. Every single element can be customized. Swap the shrimp for chicken, add tons of veggies, or experiment with new sauce ingredients. The options are endless!

The real star of this meal is the sauce. Made with a handful of ingredients, this homemade lo mein spicy sauce is both sweet and savory with a hint of umami flavor. It’s perfect for dressing up the noodles and complementing the flavor of the shrimp.

There are plenty of ways you can make this shrimp lo mein recipe your own, but I suggest trying it with baby bok choy and short ribs to make the whole meal feel just like your favorite takeout order.

What is shrimp lo mein?

Lo mein means “tossed noodles” in Chinese. The traditional recipe usually has 3 key elements: egg noodles, protein (seafood, beef, chicken… anything you like!), and sauce. You can also make it with vegetables, spicy or mild sauce, or with wontons.

You might think that chow mein and low mein are the same, but they have one slight difference: the noodles! Chow mein is made with fried noodles and low mein is made with steamed noodles. The sauce is the star of the show in lo mein dishes, whereas vegetables and meat are the main event in chow mein (just like stir fry).

Ingredients you need for Shrimp Lo Mein 

The homemade spicy sauce is the real star of this easy copycat takeout recipe. It’s loaded with flavor and will give the noodles a signature caramel color. The rest of the ingredients are simple and easy to find at most grocery stores.

Here’s what you need: 

• Lo mein noodles
• Shrimp
• Green onion
• Sesame seeds
• Olive oil
• Homemade spicy sauce

What kind of noodles should I use?

You should be able to find fresh Chinese lo mein egg noodles in large grocery stores or at your local Asian market. Fresh is best but you can also use frozen or dried if that’s all you can find. There are many kinds of Chinese egg noodles at the store, so if you get confused, follow this guide to identify the differences.

When you’re in a pinch, long pasta will work as well. Use up the leftover spaghetti, linguine, or fettucini noodles in your cupboard when you make this dish.

How to make spicy shrimp lo mein

This super simple dish is ready to be enjoyed in only 10 minutes! Plus, you can save time and make the sauce a few days ahead of time.

Here’s how to make the recipe:

1. Make the sauce: Mix all of the spicy sauce ingredients into a small bowl and set aside.
2. Cook the noodles: Cook your lo mein noodles according to the package instructions (usually around 3 to 5 minutes). Drain and toss them with half the sauce and half of the green onions.
3. Prepare the shrimp: Sauté the peeled and dried shrimp on medium high heat in oil until both sides turn pink. To finish, add the rest of the sauce to the pan, toss, and cook for 1 minute.
4. Serve: Add a portion of the noodles to a bowl, top with some shrimp, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.

Lo mein sauce

I whipped up a quick sauce for the shrimp lo mein using fresh garlic and ginger, fish and oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, Trader Joe’s Chili Onion Crunch, and lime juice. The noodles are bland on their own, so this combination of spicy, sweet, and umami flavors give it the boost it needs.

A traditional lo mein sauce recipe is usually made with a sesame oil base and mixed with a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger. Feel free to experiment if you aren’t a big fan of spice!

Substitutions and Variations

• Add in as many vegetables as you want. Sautéed or steamed broccoli, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, napa cabbage, or snow peas would all be delicious additions. 
• Want to switch up the protein? Make this lo mein recipe with grilled chicken or browned ground beef or pork instead.
• You can replace the chili onion crunch in the sauce with a pinch of red pepper flakes, sriracha hot sauce, or your favorite hot sauce or chili oil.
• Not a fan of spicy food? Just omit the chili onion crunch from the sauce recipe.
• Use dark soy sauce if you can. This has the best flavor and will add color to the noodles. If you can’t find it, it’s ok to use regular or light soy sauce.
• Looking for a vegetarian lo mein recipe? Sub the shrimp for lots of vegetables or tofu and omit the fish and oyster sauce.

Storing

You can easily make the spicy sauce ahead of time and keep it in a jar in your fridge until you’re ready to make this recipe.

Leftover lo mein makes for a great lunch the next day (either hot or cold) or for a grab-and-go dinner. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.

To reheat, place the leftovers in a pan on medium heat and toss until warmed through. You can also heat the leftovers for 1 or 2 minutes in the microwave. Just make sure to leave the shrimp out until the last minute of heating so they don’t become overcooked.

Enjoy the lo mein with these recipes

These Asian-inspired dishes will pair well with your quick and easy lo mein:

• Crab Stuffed Salmon
• Ahi Tuna Poke Wonton Nachos
• Cucumber Salad
• Asian Pork Meatballs

Did you remake this 10 Minute Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein? Don’t forget to tell me what you think in the comments below, or share a picture on Instagram! I love to share all of your recreations on my page.