slow cooker lo mein;

Takeout is a delicious, and necessary staple in our home, and Chinese takeout is a fan favorite. Sometimes you need a quick and tasty win for dinner. But what if I told you this slow cooker lo mein was so easy to make at home AND you don’t even need to go outside to pick it up? These buttery, sauce-soaked noodles make the perfect bed for savory juicy pork, and are chock full of hearty vegetables that will keep you satiated all night.

The recipe base really starts with an Asian-inspired pulled pork. Take a boneless pork shoulder and toss in a mix of asian sauces and let that baby roast nice and slow. Pork shoulders always come in giant hocks in my experience. I think the 6lb one I found this time at the grocery was one of the smallest ones I’ve seen.

Luckily, it’s easy enough to cut off a roughly 2lb chunk for this recipe. And if you don’t know what to do with the other 4+lbs, try my slow cooker pulled pork. But I really love the savory, umami-filled flavors of the pork for this slow cooker lo mein. A little bit of spice with the sambal oelek adds a new layer of flavor to that classic lo mein taste.

I enjoy the snap of snow peas, but subtitute snap peas if you prefer, or even use frozen shelled peas if that’s what’s available.

secret to success

When it comes to the veggies, use your heart. I adapted my recipe from damn delicious, tweaking the vegetables. You gotta have some green, so for that we love broccoli and peas. Usually, I’m not a fan of peas, but I actually really enjoy the snap of snow peas. You could sub in snap peas if you prefer, or even use frozen shelled peas if that’s what you have on hand.

While it’s a pain to julienne carrots by hand, they add a bright pop of orange to your dish. And you can always buy pre-shredded carrots at the grocery store to save yourself a few minutes.

While it’s a pain to julienne carrots by hand, if you want to save yourself some prep time, look for pre-shredded carrots at the grocery.

secret to success

And for a dash of yellow, I go with baby corn and water chestnuts. I like chopping up each baby corn into roughly 3 pieces. I find this makes it easier to eat and makes for better distribution through the slow cooker lo mein overall. And water chestnuts add such a lovely crunch to the dish to round out the textures.

While I really like the mix of broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, baby corn, and peas, you don’t have to stop there. Try some shredded cabbage for an extra pop of freshness and just a touch of bitterness. Or add some thinly sliced peppers, or add some asparagus or bean sprouts. This slow cooker lo mein is a great way to use up any vegetables left in your refrigerator.

When it comes to noodles, traditional spaghetti noodles work perfectly well. Given my gluten avoidance, I typically use a rice-based spaghetti-like these jovial gluten-free noodles. If you want more of that traditional Chinese take-out noodle, then opt for a fresh egg noodle, usually found in the refrigerated section of your asian market. Keep in mind that these egg noodles will contain wheat, which is why I used gluten-free spaghetti for my slow cooker lo mein recipe.

If you want more of that traditional Chinese take-out noodle, look for fresh egg noodles (contain gluten), usually found in the refrigerated section of your Asian market.

secret to success

This homemade slow cooker lo mein recipe is great for busy weekdays, or for making enough to feed a crowd. It’s a hearty meal with protein, vegetables, and carbs–and you don’t have to feel guilty about eating it! It’s easy to make gluten-free, which is something I struggle with when it comes to Chinese takeout. And the Asian flavors pop through with all the textures of the pork, veggies, and noodles.

secrets to success;

Want all the best tips and tricks to make this recipe a success? Check out the blog post above to find out more!

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Looking for other easy weeknight meals?

• I love these twice baked breakfast sweet potatoes. They take a little bit of meal prep, but once you’ve made them you’ll have a delicious nutritious breakfast for the whole week.
• Blackened shrimp are a staple in my house–pair with a salad for a healthful option, or throw these shrimp in some tacos for Taco Tuesday!
• For a simple, yet delicious and decadent weeknight meal, there’s always cacio e pepe, or “cheese and pepper” pasta. Comfort food at it’s max–and easy to boot!
• Literally two ingredients and you get fall off the bone baby back ribs? Yes, please!
• For a quick and delicious side dish, try blue cheese creamed spinach. It’s one of my favorite ways to incorporate more spinach into my diet.