Instant Pot Chow Mein is a quick and easy meal loaded with noodles and veggies with the option of adding chicken. A one-pot Asian noodle meal in the pressure cooker that will keep you coming back for more. The Asian flavors are bold and aromatic and you will not need to order take out again.. If you are new to using the Instant Pot, this is a great recipe to get started with as its simple and the results, delish.
Instant Pot Chow Mein
While Chow Mein is usually fried, it is much better for you prepared in the Instant Pot. It is also quite easy to gather your ingredients and make this noodle recipe. In addition, this is an affordable recipe which makes it way better than expensive take-out.
Ingredients
We use Hokkien Noodles, which can be purchased in the Asian section of your local grocer. However, if you are having difficulty locating them, angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti can be used.
I recommend slicing the cabbage very thin for best results.
For the carrots, slice them into matchstick length.
The chow mein sauce is a homemade combination of either vegetable or chicken broth and some fantastic spice. You will need vegetable oil, ginger paste, minced garlic, soy sauce, white wine vinegar, red chili powder, and brown sugar. Ginger paste can usually be found in the refrigerator section of the produce department. If you cannot find it, fresh ginger can be substituted.
Expert Tips
- Chow Mein noodles can also be called Chinese Noodles or Asian Chow Mein Stir Fry Noodles,
- If you are in need of a shortcut, you can purchase precut veggies found in the produce section of your local market.
- Homemade broth can be used. If keeping the recipe Vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
Recipe Instructions
1. Mix together the ingredients to make the sauce. Whisk well and set aside.
2. Add the noodles to the Instant Pot.
3. Add cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. Add chicken if doing a non-vegetarian Chow Mein. 
4. Add in your sauce over the vegetables and noodles. Use tongs to stir will. Do not add the broccoli or green onions.
5. Close the lid on your instant pot by twisting on the lid. Close the valve on the instant pot by pushing it away from you. Set your instant pot to high pressure for four minutes. Once the time is up, do a manual or quick release by using a hot pad or a towel and pull the valve toward you.
6. Add in your broccoli. Mix well with tongs. Close your instant pot by twisting the lid back on and allow the broccoli to cook for an additional three minutes in the heat of the other ingredients. Do not turn the instant pot back on.
7. Once the three minutes are up, open the lid to the instant pot. Give a good stir and serve topped with sesame seeds and extra chopped green onions.
 Variations
- Tofu can be used as a protein instead of chicken.
- Your favorite cabbage can be used such as Savoy, red or green.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce can be used.
Storage
Once the Chow Mein is made, it can be kept in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I have never frozen this recipe and I don't think it would fare well. The noodles may get mushy when defrosted.
You may also enjoy Slow Cooker Moo Shu Pork, everything goes right into the slow cooker. We love this served in wraps. Another easy take-out fake out is our Korean BBQ Chicken, which is ready in 20 minutes.
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Instant Pot Chow Mein
Equipment Needed:
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Ingredients
Brown Sauce
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth Note 1
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste Note 2
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Noodles and Veggies
- 14.2 ounce Hokkein Noodles box Note 3
- ½ cup red or green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
- ½ cup red pepper, seeded and cut into small cubes 1 medium pepper should be good
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 6 ounces cooked shredded chicken breasts Note 5, optional
- ½ cup broccoli, cut into small florets
- ¼ cup diced green onions, garnish
- sesame seeds, garnish
- salt, to taste, optional taste after recipe is made. I rarely need additional salt.
Instructions
- Mix together everything for the sauce. Whisk well and set aside.
- Add the noodles, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds to the Instant Pot
- Add chicken if doing a non-vegetarian chow mein.
- Pour the sauce over the vegetables and noodles. Do not add the broccoli or green onions. Stir well.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot. Close the valve on the instant pot by pushing it away from you. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for four minutes. Once the timer is up, use a pad or a towel safely pull the valve toward you to do a quick release.
- Once all the steam has released, open lid. Add in your broccoli. Mix well. Put the lid back on the Instant Pot for 3 minutes. *Do not turn the Instant Pot on, the broccoli will cook in the heat of the rest of the ingredients.
- Once the three minutes are up, open the lid to the instant pot. Give everything a stir
- Taste for seasoning, add salt if needed.
- Serve topped with sesame seeds and diced green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
