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Home » Recipes » Copycat » Panda Express Chow Mein

Panda Express Chow Mein

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Recipe Cost $4.26
Recipe Serving Cost $0.71
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This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipes

This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving!

Chow mein with text overlay for Pinterest.

Do you ever find yourself getting into a rut with recipes? You have your go-to recipes on your usual rotation, which is great, but it can get repetitive and sometimes boring! We have an easy Chow Mein recipe to share with you to mix up your usual routine.

Homemade Chinese food is the best, in my opinion. It is just so fresh and tastes SO good. Plus, you know exactly what’s going into your dish.

Panda Express Chow Mein in a skillet.

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein

Chow Mein combines noodles with stir-fried vegetables and a simple sauce. It’s a fantastic recipe to add to your collection of easy side dishes. 

Our kids love these noodles, and they actually request second helpings. Yay for meals that leave no room for complaints! You can serve these noodles or add a protein such as chicken, beef, or shrimp.

We recommend serving this alongside our Panda Express Orange Chicken for a tasty dinner that won’t break the bank! Our Copycat Chow Mein recipe comes together faster than you can drive to Panda Express and order it! That alone makes this recipe a 5-star recipe, right?! 

Chow Mein in a white bowl and a skillet in the background.

What is chow mein sauce made of?

Our Chow Mein sauce is made of soy sauce and oyster sauce. Super easy and tasty!

What is the difference between chop suey and chow mein?

The ingredients in chop suey and chow mein are very similar. The main difference is in the preparation and presentation. Chow mein is made by adding cooked noodles to the sauce and vegetables. Chop suey is made by serving the cooked vegetables and sauce over rice or fried noodles. 

Is chow mein authentic Chinese food?

Chow mein does fall under the category of an authentic Chinese dish. However, how it is made in American restaurants has been slightly altered from the traditional dish. But the inspiration for the recipe does come from a traditional Chinese dish of vegetables and noodles. 
Chow Mein on a white plate with chopsticks.

How to Make Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe:

  1. First, pour oil into a large deep skillet and preheat until oil is simmering for 30 seconds. 
  2. Add the cabbage, celery, and onion to the skillet. 
  3. Then cook, constantly stirring until the onions are translucent. 
  4. Add garlic, and then add in the cooked noodles, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. 
  5. Finally, stir until the vegetables are evenly distributed, and the noodles are coated and heated through. Serve and enjoy!

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

  • Ages 2-3: Have them help you prepare the celery by breaking the stalks from the bunch. They can also wash and clean the stalks.
  • Ages 4-5: Help them measure the soy sauce and oyster sauce. They can also count out the cloves of garlic. 
  • Ages 6-8: Guide their hands on the knife as you show them how to chop the celery and cabbage.
  • Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 
  • Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

The flavor and Recipe Variations:

  •  If you can’t find lo mein noodles, then you can use spaghetti. 
  • Sometimes I make this a complete meal by adding chicken and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and snow peas. 

What to Serve with Panda Express Chow Mein:

  • Orange Chicken 

An overhead picture of all of the ingredients needed for the Panda Express Chow Mein recipe.

More $5 Recipes:

  • Best Homemade White Bread
  • Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
  • Buttermilk Sheet Pan Pancakes
  • Corn Muffins
  • Crock Pot Greek Yogurt
  • Dry Roasted Chickpeas
  • Eggs Benedict Breakfast Braid
  • English Muffin Pizzas
  • French Toast with Blueberry Syrup
  • Green Smoothie
  • Instant Pot Refried Beans
  • Mango Banana Smoothie
  • Red Velvet Buttermilk Waffles

How long is this good for:

  • Serve: As with most recipes to avoid bacteria growing, you shouldn’t leave this Chow Mein out for longer than 2 hours. 
  • Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
  • Freeze: Unfortunately, we do not recommend freezing this recipe. The vegetables will be a wilted mess upon defrosting.

How much will this Chow Mein recipe cost to make:

RECIPE COST: $4.26

PRICE PER SERVING: $0.71

  • 14 oz package dry Lo Mein noodles – $2.52 
  • 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil – $0.09
  • 2 cups thinly chopped cabbage – $0.26
  • 3 large stalks celery – $0.27
  • 1/2 yellow onion – $0.31
  • 3 large garlic cloves – $0.15
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce – $0.08
  • 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce – $0.58

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

Cook’s Tools:

  • large skillet
  • mixing spoon
  • colander
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
Close up picture of Panda Express Chow Mein noodles.
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5 from 13 votes

Copycat Chow Mein

Recipe Cost $4.26
Recipe Serving Cost $0.71
This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: copycat recipe, noodles
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 305kcal
Author: Easy Budget Recipes Original!

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • mixing spoon
  • Colander
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 14 oz package dry lo mein noodles cooked as per package instructions
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 large stalks celery cut on the diagonal
  • 2 cups thinly chopped cabbage
  • ½ yellow onion sliced into thin half-moons
  • 3 large garlic cloves minced
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoons oyster sauce
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large deep pan or skillet add the oil. Preheat the pan on high until the oil is shimmering, about 30-45 seconds.
  • Add celery, cabbage, and onion and cook, stirring constantly, until the edges of the vegetables are browned and the onions are translucent about 4 minutes.
    Add the veggies to the hot pan and cook until the onions are translucent and the edges of the veggies are browned.
  • Add garlic and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
    Add the garlic and stir constantly until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Stir in the cooked noodles, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Cook and stir constantly until the noodle and veggies are coated in the soy sauce and the noodles are heated through.
    Add in the soy sauce and oyster sauce and toss to coat the vegetables and noodles.
  • Serve immediately.
    Overhead picture of copycat chow mein in a pan.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 113IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you love this recipe?We'd love to hear from you, follow us on our Facebook page @EasyBudgetRecipesOfficial and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving!

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Related

Filed Under: $5 Recipes, Copycat, Side Dish Tagged With: cabbage, celery, garlic cloves, lo mein noodles, oyster sauce, soy sauce, vegetable oil, yellow onion

Previous Post: « Pizza Grilled Cheese
Next Post: Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claudia Lamascolo

    May 12, 2020 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    I have made this several times and we love the recipe, it one of our favorite and we never even heard of Panda express so I am glad I get to make it at home!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 12, 2020 at 2:53 pm

      So happy you love it!

  2. Allison

    May 12, 2020 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    I love the tips for getting kids involved. This is a delicious family friendly recipe.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 12, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      Thank you Allison! We think it is so important to get our kiddos involved in the kitchen.

  3. Linda Moore

    May 13, 2020 at 7:19 am

    I was excited to see this post! I’m trying this for dinner tonight! I’m entering your $50 give away too!

    Wishes for tasty dishes!!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 13, 2020 at 9:16 am

      We would love to hear back after you make it. And thanks for entering the giveaway! Good luck!

  4. Marina

    May 13, 2020 at 7:30 am

    5 stars
    Great quick recipe! Cannot wait to try it out!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 13, 2020 at 9:13 am

      Let us know how it goes!

  5. Kathy

    May 13, 2020 at 7:39 am

    I love how easy this is!! I think it is better than Panda Express!! My daughter thinks so too!!!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 13, 2020 at 9:13 am

      We’re thrilled you both love it!

  6. Deanna

    May 13, 2020 at 9:49 am

    5 stars
    We don’t have Panda Express here, so I can’t compare. But this recipe is absolutely fantastic. So easy and so much flavour. We will be making this again.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:26 am

      So happy you enjoyed it!

  7. Sanna

    May 13, 2020 at 11:22 am

    This is such a simple and easy recipe. Can’t wait to make it.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:26 am

      It really is simple and cost effective. Enjoy!

  8. Fran

    May 13, 2020 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    I love how affordable this recipe is! I may add carrots, but this is definitely a good use for the cabbage I have!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:27 am

      Carrots would be a great addition!

  9. Amy

    May 13, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! Love a good simple meal for my weekly meal planning! Soy sauce and oyster sauce are like my pantry staples so I’d be able to whip this up quite easily I think. Maybe I’ll get my daughter (she’s 11) to try it this weekend! She’s always looking for new things to try.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:28 am

      Amy, I love that you already have the ingredients on hand and that you will get your daughter involved! That’s awesome!

  10. Amanda Marie Boyle

    May 13, 2020 at 6:47 pm

    I love it! With the mall closed, I need my Panda fix!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:29 am

      Amanda, we are on the same page for sure!

  11. Saif

    May 13, 2020 at 10:46 pm

    5 stars
    I never tried Panda Express but chow mein is one of the best noodle dish I tried. It is quite similar to Pancit Canton Noodle dish from the Philippines.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:29 am

      Saif, that is so interesting. I love learning about dishes from around the world. Thanks for sharing!

  12. Barrie

    May 17, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! Does the oyster sauce taste like oysters? Does not sound appealing!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 18, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      Don’t let the name fool you! It’s actually very tasty!

  13. Kakhaber Khmelidze

    May 18, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    Ohh, love it

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 18, 2020 at 11:44 pm

      Me too!

  14. Kakhaber Khmelidze

    May 22, 2020 at 6:37 am

    5 stars
    So great, love it and thank you.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 23, 2020 at 9:28 am

      You are so welcome!

  15. Steve Grant

    May 22, 2020 at 4:39 pm

    These noodles look so good. I want to try it with spaghetti noodles and maybe add a bit of ginger for flavor.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 23, 2020 at 9:25 am

      Steve, great idea. Let us know how it goes!

  16. Amy

    June 6, 2020 at 8:51 am

    5 stars
    I added sesame oil..just a bit because it can overpower the flavor..so yummy!!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      June 13, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      Sounds great Amy! Glad you enjoyed it!

  17. Barb Batten

    June 18, 2020 at 4:18 am

    please and thanks Smile

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      September 6, 2020 at 10:00 am

      Enjoy!

  18. Jessica

    June 18, 2020 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    My family loved this! They think it’s better than Panda Express

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      June 18, 2020 at 10:37 am

      That’s awesome! Thanks for letting us know!

  19. Rosie

    June 19, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    5 stars
    I love copycat recipes, and just yesterday on our local FB group, people were talking about chow mein and lo mein, and how they are made different in various states. It made me hungry, and I’d love to try this!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      June 21, 2020 at 11:09 pm

      Copycat recipes are so fun! Excited for you to try it.

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We’re Beth, Jill, and Jess, and we’re the team of sisters-in-law behind Easy Budget Recipes!

Combined, we have over 50 years of cooking, meal planning, and budgeting experience. Each of our recipes serves at least six people, and we have broken down the cost of every recipe for you so that it’s easier to budget your shopping list every week!

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