Description
This Healthy Beef Chow Mein is a flavorful and nutritious twist on the classic Chinese stir-fry noodle dish. Made with wholemeal noodles, lean fillet steak, and a variety of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, beansprouts, and spring onions, it’s a balanced meal packed with protein and fiber. The dish is seasoned with tamari and brown rice vinegar for a tangy, savory flavor, making it a perfect quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 2 wholemeal noodle nests (85g)
Protein
- 200g lean fillet steak, fat removed and cut into strips
Vegetables & 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
Oils & Sauces
- 2 tsp rapeseed or sesame oil
- 1½ tsp tamari
- 1 tbsp brown rice vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the wholemeal noodle nests according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Stir-fry the beef: Heat 1 tsp of rapeseed or sesame oil in a wok over high heat. Add the thinly sliced lean fillet steak and stir-fry quickly for about 30 seconds until browned on the outside. Remove the beef from the wok and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté onion and ginger: Add the remaining 1 tsp of oil to the wok. Stir-fry the finely chopped red onion and ginger until softened, approximately 2-3 minutes. To prevent burning, add a small splash of water and cover the wok during this step.
- Add mushrooms and garlic: Stir in the thickly sliced chestnut mushrooms and chopped garlic. Continue frying until the mushrooms begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Cook the beansprouts: Add the ready-to-eat beansprouts to the wok and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Prepare sauce and combine: In a small bowl, mix the tamari, brown rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of water. Add the drained noodles to the wok and toss well to combine with the vegetables. Pour in the tamari mixture.
- Finish the stir-fry: Return the cooked beef strips to the wok along with the sliced spring onions. Stir-fry everything together for a few minutes until the beef is heated through and the flavors are well combined.
- Season and serve: Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Serve the healthy beef chow mein hot as a complete meal.
Notes
- Using wholemeal noodles increases the fiber content, making the dish healthier than traditional chow mein.
- Lean fillet steak ensures a low-fat protein source; you can substitute with other lean beef cuts if preferred.
- Adjust the tamari quantity to control the saltiness, or use low-sodium tamari for a reduced sodium option.
- This dish cooks quickly, so have all ingredients prepped and ready before starting.
- To make the dish vegetarian, substitute beef with firm tofu or tempeh and ensure tamari is gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: beef chow mein, healthy chow mein, wholemeal noodles, stir-fry beef, low fat meals, quick Chinese recipe
