Instant Pot Vegetable Lo Mein is easy to make gluten-free and a vegan dinner recipe that’s adaptable to whatever veggies you have in the house! This Vegan Lo Mein noodle recipe is packed with a variety of healthy veggies and with the most delicious Lo mein sauce.
It tastes amazing alone or with an added protein, great for weekend dinners or busy weeknights!
Vegetable Lo Mein
I love cooking noodles or vegetable lo mein for a super quick weeknight dinner. It can be anything from Simple Garlic noodles to Singapore noodles, as they take literally 45 minutes or less to make and are super filling and flavourful.
This recipe for Instant Pot vegetable Lo mein is loaded with healthy veggies like cabbage, carrot, spring onions, bell pepper.
You know the best part about this Instant Pot Veggie Lo mein recipe – You can adapt this recipe based on the season!
Add snow peas, mushrooms, spinach, kale, broccoli, or any other vegetable you feel like adding or any leftover veggies you want to use.
It’s a versatile noodle recipe, you can add any roasted veggies you have or even crispy air fried tofu or baked tofu (or your choice of protein) if you love it. Or you can even leave the protein and just enjoy the veggies treat!!
What is the Difference Between Lo Mein & Chow Mein?
- The noodles in Lo Mein and Chow Mein are the same, but the main difference lies in the cooking methods.
- Typically chow mein has boiled noodles that are stir-fried in a wok with a higher amount of oil in a wok until slightly crisp, on the other hand, Lo Mein is boiled then tossed in the authentic lo mien sauce without boiling the noodles first.
Generally, Lo mein is saucier than chow mein with lower oil content in it. - Lo mein is more ‘saucy’ and contains less oil than chow mein.
- That’s why Lo mein is better and even healthier than chow mein as it contains low calories with more healthy veggies.
Printable Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can find important tips/tricks in the blog post.
Instant Pot Vegetable Lo Mein Ingredients
♦♦Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and detailed instructions for cooking Instant Pot Vegetable Lo Mein.
The best part of this instant pot vegetable lo mein recipe is that you can tweak it to your own taste preference.
But to get started, here is a list of ingredients that I love to start with Lo mein noodle and the authentic sauce:
- Lo Mein or Chow Mein or Spaghetti Noodles
- Vegetable broth
- Minced garlic
- Sliced bell pepper
- Shredded cabbage
- Chopped green onion or scallion.
- Chopped CarrotYou can also add mushroom, frozen peas, broccoli, but make sure to add the tender veggies at the end (like peas and broccoli) so that it doesn’t get overcooked.
Authentic Lo Mein sauce Ingredients
- Soy sauce (or any Gluten-free sauce)
- Sesame oil
- Honey or maple syrup or sugar
- Sriracha or red hot sauce
- Black or white pepper
- Vinegar
- Oyster sauce (the classic Lo mein noodles often include this, as it adds depth, but this is not vegan and gluten-free. Feel free to add or leave it. You may use Hoisin sauce this is vegan but not gluten-free)
How to Make Vegan Lo Mein in an Instant Pot?
This Instant pot Vegetable Lo Mein recipe is one of the dumps and go recipes, it is very easy to make, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
- First of all, you need to prepare the sauce, for this, stir all the ingredients required for the authentic Lo Mein sauce in a bowl. You can use a hand whisk or a spoon will also work. Whisk until everything is mixed properly.
- Add the sauce and the noodles to the instant pot.
- Add all the chopped veggies (do not add peas or broccoli, add the end).
- Now, close or seal the Instant pot and set it to MANUAL MODE, HIGH PRESSURE, for 3 to 4 minutes, but not more than that.
- When it’s done, make sure to quickly release the pressure.
- If you wish to add frozen peas or broccoli then add at this moment.
- Open the lid and mix the noodles properly and add peas and broccoli.
- Again close the lid for 2 to 3 minutes let the broccoli get cooked. Then open the lid and garnish with some freshly chopped cilantro or parsley and serve it warm.
Where to buy Lo Mein Noodles?
Generally, Lo mein noodles are thin egg noodles, but to make these Lo Mein noodles Vegan you can also use wheat noodles or even linguini.
You can buy them online at Amazon.com or you can find them at your local Asian food stores or in the Asain section of any international food store or food mart.
But make sure, if you are making Lo mein in an Instant Pot then do not use instant noodles, they are instant and will easily get overcooked in the electric cooker.
Can You Freeze Veggie Lo Mein?
Definitely, this instant Pot Vegetable Lo Mein is one of the great options for making ahead and freezing for up to 2 to 3 months.
You can defrost the vegetable Lo mein in the fridge, then reheat in a wok or pan, adjusting the flavor with the sauce and extra seasonings if your Lo Mein seems to dry out.
And if properly stored, the leftover vegetable Lo Mein in an airtight container then it will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
A Few Other Vegetarian Asian Dishes to Try
- Orange Tofu: This Sticky orange tofu is a great vegan & Gluten-free meal recipe that comes together in 30minutes!
- Kung Pao Tofu: It’s an easy Chinese-inspired vegan meal that’s definitely healthy and better than takeout and can be a quick weeknight dinner main dish.
- General Tso’s Tofu: General Tso’s Tofu is a classic Chinese takeout filled with fried tofu tossed with the most amazing sweet and spicy sticky sauce!
Want More Asian Inspired Meals? Here are some!
- General Tso’s Chicken: General Tso’s Chicken is that perfect combination of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy with crispy Chinese chicken bites.
- Crispy Sesame Asian Chicken: This crispy sesame chicken is another one for the honey archives. Sweet, salty, crispy, sticky, and a little bit spicy – it covers all the bases for one of these meals that everyone polishes off.
- Sticky Asian glazed chicken: Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken is tender and juicy chicken coated in a sticky-sweet Asian sauce. This meal is ready in just thirty minutes and the flavor is awesome!