This Classic Midwestern Chow Mein is a comforting, hearty dish that fuses Asian-inspired flavors with Midwestern comfort food staples. Ground beef, vegetables, and a savory sauce come together in a dish that’s simple to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners. This version of chow mein offers a crunchy mix of water chestnuts and bean sprouts, balanced by tender beef and the subtle spice of ginger. It’s an easy and satisfying meal, commonly served with crispy or soft chow mein noodles.
Ingredients:
For the Chow Mein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup bean sprouts (fresh or canned)
- 1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, sliced
- 2 cups of coleslaw mix, consisting of shredded cabbage and carrots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger (freshly grated or powdered)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
For Serving:
- Chow mein noodles (fried or soft)
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef and Vegetables
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and use a spoon to break it apart as it cooks. Sauté until the meat is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Sauté the diced onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic for 5-7 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Remaining Ingredients
- Combine Ingredients: Add the browned beef back into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir in the bean sprouts, water chestnuts, coleslaw mix, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ginger. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
Step 3: Serve
- Serve with Noodles: Serve the chow mein over crispy fried chow mein noodles or soft noodles, depending on your preference.
- Add Toppings: Garnish with optional toppings such as sliced green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
Conclusion:
This Classic Midwestern Chow Mein is a quick and easy dish that combines the best of both worlds: the comforting familiarity of ground beef and vegetables with the savory and tangy flavors of soy sauce and Worcestershire. Whether served over crispy noodles or soft, this dish is a family-friendly favorite that brings a satisfying twist to the traditional chow mein recipe.
Classic Midwestern Chow Mein
Ingredients
For the Chow Mein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 cup celery sliced
- 1 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1 cup bean sprouts fresh or canned
- 1 can 8 oz water chestnuts, sliced
- 2 cups of coleslaw mix consisting of shredded cabbage and carrots
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger freshly grated or powdered
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
For Serving:
- Chow mein noodles fried or soft
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions sesame seeds
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef and Vegetables
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and use a spoon to break it apart as it cooks. Sauté until the meat is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Sauté the diced onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic for 5-7 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Remaining Ingredients
- Combine Ingredients: Add the browned beef back into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir in the bean sprouts, water chestnuts, coleslaw mix, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ginger. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
Step 3: Serve
- Serve with Noodles: Serve the chow mein over crispy fried chow mein noodles or soft noodles, depending on your preference.
- Add Toppings: Garnish with optional toppings such as sliced green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.