Spicy Ground Beef Chow Mein (Panda Express Style Copycat)
This spicy beef chow mein is a savory, slightly sweet copycat of Panda Express with a homemade twist. It’s loaded with sautéed onions, cabbage, chili pepper, garlic, and a rich soy-based sauce — all tossed with springy noodles and ready in 30 minutes!
Equipment
- Large skillet or wok
- Medium saucepan
- Colander
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or fork
Ingredients
- 2 packs Sapporo Ichiban noodles discard flavor packets
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small red chili pepper finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1½ to 2 tsp jarred minced garlic
- 2 cups tricolor cabbage mix
- 2 green onions thinly sliced (reserve some for garnish)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil plus extra for stir-frying
- ½ cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Boil the Noodles:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the Sapporo noodles and cook for 2 minutes until loosened.
- Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss with a splash of sesame oil and set aside.
- Prep the Ingredients:
- Dice chili pepper, slice onion and green onions (reserve some for garnish), measure garlic.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chicken broth. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add a drizzle of sesame oil, then the ground beef, sliced onion, and diced chili pepper.
- Cook for 5–6 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease and return pan to heat.
- Add Garlic & Cabbage:
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add the cabbage mix and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly wilted.
- Toss Noodles & Sauce:
- Add the cooked noodles and pour in the sauce.
- Toss together for 2–3 minutes until hot and fully combined.
- Season with black pepper to taste.
- Garnish & Serve:
- Stir in most of the green onions.
- Serve hot, topped with remaining green onions and optional sesame seeds or chili flakes.
Notes
- Jarred garlic: 1½ tsp = about 2 cloves. Use 2 tsp for extra flavor.
- Skip the chili pepper for a milder dish.
- Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles work great too.
- Add sesame seeds, chili oil, or sriracha for an extra kick.