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! Nothing says Chinese like this tasty chow mein noodles dish.
Why This Recipe Works
- 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.
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📋 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.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Noodles: You can use yakisoba noodles if you don't have access to Hokkien Noodles. Yaki soba noodles work well in this chow mein recipe. Others also like to swap for ramen noodles.
- Soy Sauce Mixture: If you prefer dark soy sauce as your chow mein sauce, that will work just as well as light soy sauce. We also like to add a spoon of oyster sauce for a little extra flavor.
🔪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 One: Set Instant Pot to sauté. This allows the Instant Pot to heat up to the temperatures of a hot wok.
Step Two: Add the oil and vegetables (including the crunchy celery) sauté until starting to caramelize.
Step Three: 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 Four: Sauté for 3 minutes stir constantly to avoid burning the noodles.
Step Five: Stir the noodles and stir.
Step Six: Your Panda Express Chow Mein is now ready to serve.
👩🍳 Expert 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.
- Stovetop Cooking: If you prefer to use your Instant Pot for one of our other Chinese recipes you can cook chow mein on the stove top instead.
💭 FAQs
The main difference between lo mein noodles and chow mein noodles lies in their preparation; lo mein noodles are boiled and then stir-fried with ingredients, while chow mein noodles are typically parboiled and then stir-fried until crispy.
That is why you stir fry the cooked noodles on saute mode to get them Panda Express style.
Chow mein noodles may become dry if they are overcooked or if there isn’t enough sauce or moisture in the dish. To prevent dryness, ensure there is enough sauce or liquid in the dish, and toss the noodles frequently during cooking to evenly distribute moisture.
Refrigerate your fresh noodles promptly in an airtight container, separating noodles from sauce to maintain texture. You can also store uncooked chow mein noodles in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking. Portion and freeze leftover chow mein in airtight containers or freezer bags, labeled with the freezing date, for up to 1-2 months.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some suggestions of what to serve with Panda Express Chow Mein:
- Fried Rice: A classic choice, Panda Express offers both Vegetable and Chicken Fried Rice. It pairs well with many main dishes.
- Orange Chicken: A signature dish at Panda Express, the sweet and tangy Orange Chicken is a crowd-pleaser that can stand alone or be paired with other sides.
- Mongolian Beef: For a savory and slightly spicy option, Mongolian Beef is a flavorful choice that complements rice or noodles.
- Kung Pao Chicken: If you're looking for a dish with a bit of heat, Kung Pao Chicken is a great option. Pair it with rice for a complete meal.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Panda Express Chow Mein
Ingredients
- 1 Pkt Hokkien noodles 14 ounce
- 2 Stalks Celery chopped
- ½ Onion Sliced Thin
- ½ cup Cabbage Shredded
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Hoisin Sauce
Instructions
- Set instant pot to sauté. This allows the instant pot to heat up to the temperatures of a hot wok.
- Add the oil and vegetables to sauté until starting to caramelize.
- Once vegetables start to caramelize, add the noodles and the sauces.
- Sauté for 3 minutes stir constantly to avoid burning the noodles.
- Remove and serve.
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