The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
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!
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.
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?!
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?
Is chow mein authentic Chinese food?
How to Make Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe:
- First, pour oil into a large deep skillet and preheat until oil is simmering for 30 seconds.
- Add the cabbage, celery, and onion to the skillet.
- Then cook, constantly stirring until the onions are translucent.
- Add garlic, and then add in the cooked noodles, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
- 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:
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
Copycat Chow Mein
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
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 garlic and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
- 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.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
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!
Claudia Lamascolo says
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!
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you love it!
Allison says
I love the tips for getting kids involved. This is a delicious family friendly recipe.
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you Allison! We think it is so important to get our kiddos involved in the kitchen.
Linda Moore says
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!!
Jess Jankowski says
We would love to hear back after you make it. And thanks for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Marina says
Great quick recipe! Cannot wait to try it out!
Jess Jankowski says
Let us know how it goes!
Kathy says
I love how easy this is!! I think it is better than Panda Express!! My daughter thinks so too!!!
Jess Jankowski says
We’re thrilled you both love it!
Deanna says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you enjoyed it!
Sanna says
This is such a simple and easy recipe. Can’t wait to make it.
Jess Jankowski says
It really is simple and cost effective. Enjoy!
Fran says
I love how affordable this recipe is! I may add carrots, but this is definitely a good use for the cabbage I have!
Jess Jankowski says
Carrots would be a great addition!
Amy says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
Amy, I love that you already have the ingredients on hand and that you will get your daughter involved! That’s awesome!
Amanda Marie Boyle says
I love it! With the mall closed, I need my Panda fix!
Jess Jankowski says
Amanda, we are on the same page for sure!
Saif says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
Saif, that is so interesting. I love learning about dishes from around the world. Thanks for sharing!
Barrie says
Yum! Does the oyster sauce taste like oysters? Does not sound appealing!
Jess Jankowski says
Don’t let the name fool you! It’s actually very tasty!
Kakhaber Khmelidze says
Ohh, love it
Jess Jankowski says
Me too!
Kakhaber Khmelidze says
So great, love it and thank you.
Jess Jankowski says
You are so welcome!
Steve Grant says
These noodles look so good. I want to try it with spaghetti noodles and maybe add a bit of ginger for flavor.
Jess Jankowski says
Steve, great idea. Let us know how it goes!
Amy says
I added sesame oil..just a bit because it can overpower the flavor..so yummy!!
Jess Jankowski says
Sounds great Amy! Glad you enjoyed it!
Barb Batten says
please and thanks Smile
Jess Jankowski says
Enjoy!
Jessica says
My family loved this! They think it’s better than Panda Express
Jess Jankowski says
That’s awesome! Thanks for letting us know!
Rosie says
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!
Jess Jankowski says
Copycat recipes are so fun! Excited for you to try it.
Betty says
Made this for the 1st time several weeks ago, followed Recipe as writen, it was great . About to give it another try, today will add a little shredded carrot, excited for the outcome.
Jess Jankowski says
So glad you love it as much as we do. Enjoy the addition of the carrots!
Allison says
I love Panda Express Chow Mein!! What brand of lo mein noodles do you use?
Jess Jankowski says
Isn’t it so good?! We like Simply Asia and also Ka-Me, just note that the Ka-Me are a little wider typically. Enjoy!
Sgurl says
Easy and delicious
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you!