Name: Instant Pot Panda Express Chow Mein
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 14 oz precooked pouches of hokkien noodles; 2 stalks of celery chopped; 1/2 yellow onion sliced thin; 1/2 cup of shredded cabbage; 3 tablespoons of olive oil; 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce

Thinking about heading to Panda Express for some Chinese cuisine? Think again…you can make your own Panda Express chow Mein right at home in your Instant Pot! I think the copycat recipe is even better than what you get at Panda.

Nothing says Chinese like a variety of options. Whip out those Instant Pots and make a whole meal out of it!

Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Panda Express Chow Mein

Restaurant Taste at Home: Recreate the popular Panda Express chow mein in your kitchen.
Effortless Cooking: The Instant Pot simplifies the process, making it easy for everyone.
Versatile & Delicious: Customize with your favorite veggies or proteins, ensuring a satisfying meal.

Instant Pot Chow Mein Tips

This recipe is so easy to make that you can do it even if you haven’t ever used your Instant Pot before! In fact, you won’t even have to use the pressure cook setting! Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Don’t walk away. This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to complete. If you leave it on sauté and walk away, you may burn the noodles.
Use exact ingredients. If you can’t find one of the ingredients, click the link below to order them online. You must use the ingredients exactly for it to taste like Panda Express.
Can do it on the stovetop. If you prefer to use your Instant Pot for one of the other Chinese recipes above, you can always follow the directions below on your stovetop to make this delicious Instant Pot chow mien.

Panda Express Chow Mein Ingredients

For this Panda Express Chow Mein, you will need to get some pretty specific ingredients. Make sure you have them all before you start the recipe!

Hokkien noodles : These are the backbone of the dish, providing a chewy texture and soaking up all the flavors from the sauces.
Celery Stalks: Add a crunchy texture and a refreshing, slightly bitter contrast to the savory sauce.
Yellow Onion: Brings a sweet and slightly pungent flavor that deepens as it cooks, adding complexity to the dish.
Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and noodles, it helps to distribute the heat evenly and enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
Low sodium soy sauce : Provides a savory, umami flavor that’s fundamental to the overall taste of the chow mein.
Shredded Cabbage: Adds a subtle sweetness and an extra crunch, contributing to the textural variety in the dish.
Hoisin sauce : This sweet and tangy sauce adds depth and a unique, rich flavor to the chow mein.

How to Make Instant Pot Panda Express Chow Mein

For this recipe, you will not be using the pressure cook setting. Follow the simple steps below:

Step 1: Turn On Sauté

Set instant pot to sauté. This allows the instant pot to heat up to the temperatures of a hot wok.

Panda-Express-Chow-Mein-Instant-Pot-Ingredients

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

Add the oil and vegetables (including the crunchy celery) sauté until starting to caramelize.

Step 3: Add the Noodles and Sauce

Once vegetables start to caramelize, add the noodles and the sauces.

If you want a bit more of a crunch in your chow mein, you can add some chopped peanuts or cashews when you stir in the hoisin sauce.

Step 4: Continue to Sauté

Sauté for 3 minutes stir constantly to avoid burning the noodles.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove and serve.