Instant Pot Lo Mein is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is sure to please everyone in the family. This traditional Chinese dish combines succulent pork, tender noodles, and flavorful vegetables all cooked together in one pot. The result is an incredibly flavorful meal that can be ready in about 30 minutes!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy: Instant Pot Lo Mein simplifies cooking, making it a perfect choice for busy schedules.
- Customizable: This recipe is versatile. Adapt it with your favorite veggies or protein for a personalized twist.
- Authentic Flavor, Fast: Enjoy bold Chinese flavors without sacrificing taste; the Instant Pot ensures a delicious meal in no time.
📋 Ingredients
- Spaghetti: Offering a texture that absorbs the flavorful sauce.
- Center-Cut Pork: Sliced thinly, adds savory meatiness to blend with noodles and vegetables.
- Water: Used to cook spaghetti and possibly adjust sauce consistency.
- Red Bell Pepper: Introduces sweet and vibrant flavor with appealing visual contrast.
- Baby Bok Choy: Adds mild, slightly peppery taste and delightful crunch.
- Carrots: Brings sweetness and color contrast to the dish.
- Yellow Onion: Cooked, adds sweet and savory undertones for flavor balance.
- Garlic: Brings fragrant aroma and savory depth to the dish.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Provides rich color and deep, slightly sweet flavor.
- Light Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and umami for flavor balance.
- Hoisin Sauce: Contributes sweet and savory richness to the sauce.
- Sesame Oil: Imparts nutty aroma and enhances overall richness.
- Mirin or Rice Wine Vinegar: Adds sweetness and acidity, brightening the dish.
- Oil of Your Choice: Serves as a cooking medium, adding necessary fats for flavor.
- Salt and Pepper (Optional): Adjust seasoning based on personal taste.
- Sesame Seeds (Optional): Garnish for crunch and nutty flavor.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Oyster Sauce: Can be a flavorful substitute for hoisin sauce in Instant Pot Lo Mein, adding a deeper umami taste. Use it alongside the soy sauces to enhance the savory richness of the dish.
- Chinese Rice Wine: Can be used as a substitute for mirin or rice wine vinegar in the Lo Mein recipe. It adds a depth of flavor and a hint of sweetness, best used in the sauce mixture to marinate the pork or to deglaze the pot after sautéing the vegetables.
- Chicken Lo Mein: Try chicken lo mein with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of pork. It's juicy, tasty, and makes the dish even more delicious.
- Veggie Delight: Go fully vegetarian by loading up on a variety of colorful and crisp fresh or frozen vegetables to enhance the dish's nutritional profile.
- Spice It Up: Kick up the heat by incorporating chili flakes or your favorite hot sauce for a fiery Lo Mein variation.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a sweet-spicy kick; mix with soy sauces for a flavorful twist in your Instant Pot Lo Mein.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: Adds spice and flavor to lo mein noodles. Mix it with the soy sauces or drizzle on top before serving for a customizable heat level.
- Snow Peas: Their crunchy texture and sweet flavor make them a great addition, providing a fresh contrast when added in the last few minutes of cooking to maintain their crispness.
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Lo Mein With Pork?
Step One: Start by washing your produce. Cut the pork into small dice and marinate with half of the dark soy sauce and sesame oil.
Step Two: Mix until well combined. Turn on the Sauté setting on high on the Instant Pot. Add 1 tablespoon of oil of your choice and let the oil get hot.
Step Three: Add the pork to the pot and let it sauté until it’s golden brown on the outside. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
Step Four: Slice your onions, Bok choy, carrots, and red bell pepper, and mince your garlic. Set aside. Add the minced garlic to the Instant Pot and let it get golden-brown for about 30 seconds. Add the water to the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom by scraping it clean with a spatula.
Step Five: Add the water to the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom by scraping it clean with a spatula.
Step Six: Break the spaghetti noodles in half and put them down in a crisscross pattern. Gently push the spaghetti down so it is under the liquid. Close the Instant Pot with the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
Step Seven: Once the 4 minutes have passed, immediately release the natural pressure release valve, and let it rest for an additional 4 minutes. fter those 4 minutes, open the pot and stir the noodles around. Add the remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, mirin to the noodles and stir until combined well.
Step Eight: A Turn on the sauté setting on high and add the sliced Bok choy, red bell pepper, onions, carrots, and pork to the pot. Stir often for about 5-8 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds, and season to your liking
Enjoy while hot! If you're not ready to eat take advantage of the Instant Pot Keep Warm Mode to keep your meal at the perfect temperature.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Pork Marination Magic: Marinating the pork with dark soy sauce and sesame oil will give it extra flavor.
- Spaghetti Noodle Fit Fix: Be sure to break the spaghetti noodles in half or they won’t fit in the Instant Pot!
- Crunchy Vegetable Caution: Don’t overcook your vegetables. They should still be slightly crunchy when you take them out of the pot.
- Spice It Up: If you prefer spicier dishes, add some chili flakes or hot sauce to your liking.
- Broth Swap Boost: If you wish you can switch the water for chicken broth.
💭 FAQs
Lo Mein noodles are thin and made from wheat flour, whereas Chow Mein noodles are thicker and fried.
Lo Mein is cooked with the ingredients in a flavorful sauce, while Chow Mein is stir-fried with very little liquid.
Using spaghetti noodles is perfect for this dish but you can use any type of noodle you like. Angel hair pasta or rice noodles are great alternatives too!
Yes, you can use low-sodium soy sauce to make this pressure cooker. dish. Low-sodium soy sauce can create a good lo mein sauce too.
Yes, you can make this into a vegetarian version of Lo Mein. Simply omit the pork and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can also add tofu or other vegan proteins to make it more substantial.
You could also swap out the cooked noodles for rice noodles if desired. The cooking time should remain the same regardless of what type of noodles are used.
To freeze Lo mein, let it cool completely and store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These are some great sides to serve with Pork Lo Mein:
- Fresh Side Salad: Balance the richness of the Lo Mein with a light and refreshing side salad. Opt for a simple green salad or a cucumber salad with a tangy dressing.
- Steamed Dumplings or Buns: Pairing Lo Mein with steamed dumplings or buns adds variety to your meal, offering different textures and flavors.
- Fried Rice: Complement the noodle dish with a side of flavorful fried rice. The combination of Lo Mein and fried rice creates a satisfying and diverse meal.
- Miso Soup: For a comforting and traditional touch, serve a bowl of miso soup alongside your Lo Mein. The warm broth provides a contrast to the noodle dish.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Lo Mein With Pork
Ingredients
- 8 Oz Spaghetti
- 1 lbs. Pork
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Red Bell pepper
- 1 lbs. Baby Bok choy
- 2 Small Carrots
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 3 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil vegetable oil, canola oil
- Pinch Salt optional
- Pinch Pepper optional
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds optional
Instructions
- Start by washing your produce.
- Cut the pork into small dice and marinate with half of the dark soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix until well combined.
- Turn on the Sauté setting on high on the Instant Pot. Add 1 tablespoon of oil of your choice and let the oil get hot. Add the pork to the pot and let it sauté until it’s golden brown on the outside. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
- Slice your onions, Bok choy, carrots, and red bell pepper, and mince your garlic. Set aside.
- Add the minced garlic to the Instant Pot and let it get golden brown for about 30 seconds.
- Add the water to the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom by scraping it clean with a spatula.
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half and put them down in a crisscross pattern. Gently push the spaghetti down so it is under the liquid. Close the Instant Pot with the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
- Once the 4 minutes have passed, immediately release the natural pressure release valve, and let it rest for an additional 4 minutes.
- After those 4 minutes, open the pot and stir the noodles around. Add the remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, mirin to the noodles and stir until combined well.
- After those 4 minutes, open the pot and stir the noodles around. Add the remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, mirin to the noodles and stir until combined well.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, and season to your liking. Enjoy while hot! If you’re not ready to eat take advantage of the Instant Pot Keep warm mode to keep your meal at the perfect temperature.
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