Description
This Healthy Beef Chow Mein is a delicious and nutritious twist on a classic Chinese stir-fry, featuring wholemeal noodles, lean beef fillet, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful tamari and rice vinegar sauce. It’s a quick and easy meal perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 2 wholemeal noodle nests (85g)
Protein and Oil
- 2 tsp rapeseed or sesame oil
- 200g lean fillet steak, fat removed and cut into strips
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small red onion (100g), finely chopped
- 15g piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 160g chestnut mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 160g ready-to-eat beansprouts
- 4 spring onions (65g), cut into diagonal lengths
Sauce
- 1½ tsp tamari
- 1 tbsp brown rice vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the wholemeal noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Stir-fry the beef: Heat half of the oil in a wok over high heat. Add the beef strips and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until browned but still tender. Remove from the wok and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the onions and ginger: Add the remaining oil to the wok and stir-fry the finely chopped red onion and ginger until softened. If the mixture starts to stick or burn, add a drop of water and cover to steam for 2-3 minutes to soften further.
- Add mushrooms and garlic: Stir in the chestnut mushrooms and chopped garlic, cooking for approximately 3 minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften.
- Finish vegetables: Add the ready-to-eat beansprouts and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they are piping hot but still crisp.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the tamari, brown rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of water to create the sauce.
- Combine and stir-fry: Add the drained noodles back into the wok and toss to combine with the vegetables. Pour in the tamari sauce mixture, add the spring onions and cooked beef strips, and stir-fry everything together for a few minutes until heated through and well combined.
- Season and serve: Season the chow mein with plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately for a hot, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use lean fillet steak for the healthiest protein choice with low fat content.
- Wholemeal noodles provide added fiber compared to traditional white noodles.
- If you prefer a lower sodium option, reduce or omit the tamari and substitute with a low-sodium soy sauce alternative.
- You can swap rapeseed oil for sesame oil to add a nuttier flavor to the dish.
- Ensure the wok or pan is very hot before stir-frying to achieve a quick sear and maintain the tenderness of the beef.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes or fresh chili if you like a bit of heat in your chow mein.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and add extra mushrooms or tofu.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: healthy beef chow mein, wholemeal noodles, stir-fry recipe, low fat dinner, quick Asian meal
