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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Beef » Slow Cooker Beef Chow Mein

Slow Cooker Beef Chow Mein

by Sarah Olson on April 27, 2022 4 Comments

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long image of beef chow mein with text overlay
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Skip the takeout and make your own flavorful version of beef chow mein in the slow cooker. It has all the classic flavors thanks to the chili garlic sauce, oyster sauce, ginger root, sesame oil, soy sauce, and must-have vegetables.

This delicious easy weeknight meal will feed the whole family and most likely be voted into the dinner rotation meal plan.

beef chow mein in slow cooker, lots of vegetables

You can make fuss-free chow mein without having to slave over the stove. The slow cooker cooks everything from the beef and vegetables for the chow mein; the only thing you need to do is add cooked noodles.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredeints for beef chow mein in slow cooker with text overlay
  • Flank Steak: sliced flank steak cooks to perfection and adds the perfect serving size pieces.
  • Sauces: chili garlic sauce adds a spicy bite but is calmed by the soy sauce and oyster sauce.
  • Sesame Oil: adds an Asian-inspired flavor and also adds the “fried” flavor to the dish.
  • Vegetables: broccoli, snow peas, carrots, onion, and broccoli sauce are the classic veggies found in most traditional chow mein dishes.
  • Ginger and Garlic: must-have flavors for this recipe.
  • Brown Sugar: adds a bit of sweetness to the overall dish.
  • Spaghetti: used as the noodle of choice to replace chow mein noodles. I often have difficulty finding chow mein noodles and instead always have spaghetti noodles on hand.

Step-by-Step Directions

collage of how to make beef chow mein in slow cooker.

Step One – Whisk together the garlic, ginger root, soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and chili paste.

Step Two – Add the flank steak strips, carrots, and sliced onion into the crockpot along with the whisked sauce. Toss everything together until it is well coated. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.

Step Three – Add the remaining ingredients (vegetables) except for the noodles and cook an additional 30 minutes (or until the vegetables have reached the desired tenderness).

Step Four – After the vegetables have been added, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Add them to the crockpot and toss with other ingredients. Serve and enjoy!

Close up of chow mein with beef, carrots and snow peas

Variations

  • Meat options: Although we chose flank steak strips, you can also use beef stew meat or cooked ground beef.
  • Other vegetable choices: Traditional chow mein vegetables include cabbage, green pepper, spring onions, and bean sprouts. You can also use stir fry vegetables such as sweet peppers, water chestnuts, mushrooms, and cornlets. Don’t hesitate to add your favorite veggies.
  • Noodle selections: Spaghetti is a quick and easy noodle to cook; however, if you want a more Asian feel, you can use straight-to-wok noodles, yakisoba, or traditional chow mein noodles – all of which should be at your local grocery store.
bowl of beef chow mein

Recipe FAQs

How can I make this beef chow mein recipe vegetarian?

Use tofu instead of beef, omit the oyster sauce, or exchange it for vegan mushroom sauce.

What is the difference between chow mein and lo mein?

In short, it comes down to the type of noodle. It also depends on how it is cooked. Lo mein means tossed noodles, while chow mein means fried noodles. While we aren’t frying this dish, we add sesame oil to get that fried flavor.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

This dish is best eaten as fresh as possible, meaning it’s not very good frozen. You can refrigerate the leftovers at most, but they should be eaten within a few days.

I’m out of noodles; what can I use instead?

This beef, sauce, and vegetables are lovely over steamed white rice. You can also add crunchy chow mein noodles over the dish for texture.

2 bowls of beef chow mein in front of slow cooker

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beef chow mein done cooking in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Beef Chow Mein

5 from 4 votes
Beef sauce and vegetables are cooked in the slow cooker. Add cooked spaghetti noodles and you magically have a homemade healthy chow mein.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 639kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. sliced flank steak (2-3 pounds will work well)
  • 10 cloves minced garlic or 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger root
  • 3/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. Asian garlic chili paste
  • 1 onion halved and sliced
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup broccoli slaw
  • 2 cups snow peas
  • 16 oz. package dried spaghetti
  • 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the steak strips into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, ginger root, soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and chili paste.
  • Add the carrots and onion to the slow cooker and toss with the meat.
  • Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables. Toss to coat.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • Add the remaining vegetables to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Re-cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the vegetables reach desired tenderness.
  • Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and immediately drizzle with sesame oil.
  • Just before serving, add the cooked spaghetti to the slow cooker and toss with the meat, vegetables, and sauce.
  • Serve garnished with sliced green onions, if desired.
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Recipe Notes:

How can I make this vegetarian?
Use tofu instead of beef, omit the oyster sauce, or exchange it for vegan mushroom sauce.
What is the difference between chow mein and lo mein?
In short, it comes down to the type of noodle. It also depends on how it is cooked. Lo mein means tossed noodles, while chow mein means fried noodles. While we aren’t frying this dish, we add sesame oil to get that fried flavor.
Can I freeze this?
This dish is best eaten as fresh as possible, meaning it’s not very good frozen. You can refrigerate the leftovers at most, but they should be eaten within a few days.
Can I use different meat?
Although we chose flank steak strips, you can also use beef stew meat or cooked ground beef.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1529mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3473IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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    600 shares
    • 118

    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner

    Comments

    1. Linda says

      May 16, 2022 at 5:37 am

      Is there a substitute for oyster sauce? I’m allergic.

      Reply
    2. Walter J says

      April 30, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      Can you use dried ground ginger (from a jar) in place of fresh ginger root?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 1, 2022 at 6:42 am

        Yes, I would do a 1/2 teaspoon to start with, ground ginger can be very strong.

        Reply
    3. Susie says

      April 28, 2022 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      I enjoy your recipes very much. Thank you

      Reply

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