Is Lo Mein Gluten Free?
This one-pot dish has thick noodles, seasoned chicken, and a delicious dark sauce that’s cooked in less than 30 minutes. It’s a simple and quick dinner for a weekday.
And because it is made with simple ingredients that are readily available in most pantries, it is a budget-friendly meal as well.
But the best part about lo mein is that it tastes even better than takeout. The sauce is savory and slightly sweet, with a depth of flavor that comes from the addition of soy sauce and oyster sauce.
And the thick noodles are cooked just until they are tender, making them the perfect vehicle for absorbing all of the delicious sauce.
Whether you are feeding a family or looking for a quick and easy meal for one, lo mein is sure to please.
However, If you are gluten intolerant, you may be wondering if lo mein is a safe dish to order when eating out at a Chinese restaurant. The answer is…it depends.
Lo mein can be made with or without wheat noodles, so it is important to ask your server about the ingredients before ordering.
In this blog post, we will explore the truth about gluten and lo mein, and provide some tips for how to order this popular dish safely if you are gluten free.
What Is Lo Mein?
Lo Mein is a popular Chinese dish that has been enjoyed across the world for ages. This delicious meal includes egg noodles, vegetables, and usually some form or meat source raw protein to make it more filling!
It’s coated in soy sauce which gives this tasty treat its rich flavors from garlic cloves mixed into each serving along with other spices like pepper powder until everything comes together perfectly on your tongue without any vinegar taste at all, just pure savory goodness awaits you when swallowing these melt-in-your-mouth noodles.
The name “lo mein” refers to “tossed noodles,” which distinguishes this cuisine from others. It’s a dry spin on the classic soup, but don’t worry; it still has all of the same tastes because all of the same ingredients are used, just with less liquid overall.
This creates a heartier meal that is perfect for colder weather or if you’re feeling extra hungry.
And because the sauce is full of bold flavors, it can easily be spiced up to your liking with a little Sriracha or chili flakes on top.
You can find this dish at most Chinese restaurants or take-outs, and sometimes even grocery stores will have it in their hot food section.
If you’re ever feeling too lazy to cook, or just want a quick and tasty meal, lo mein is always a great option.
What Is Lo Mein Made From?
Lo mein is a classic Chinese dish that typically includes protein, vegetables, and lo mein noodles in a savory sauce.
The most common proteins used in lo mein are chicken, beef, pork, tofu, or shrimp.
Lo, mein noodles are Chinese noodles made from wheat flour and eggs. You can add any vegetables you like to them, but some of the most popular options are bell peppers, mushrooms, snow peas, and carrots.
A typical lo mein sauce is made with soy sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and sometimes Sriracha sauce.
This combination of ingredients creates a delicious and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed at any time. If you’re gluten intolerant, you may use rice or zucchini noodles instead of the lo mein ones.
Is Lo Mein Gluten-free?
Nowadays, more and more people are becoming gluten-sensitive or intolerant due to various reasons such as celiac disease, wheat allergies, or just because they feel better when avoiding gluten altogether.
This can make dining out at restaurants a bit tricky, as many popular dishes contain gluten in some form or another.
Since it’s made with noodles and soy sauce, two ingredients that commonly have gluten, so, the answer is, unfortunately, no, traditional lo mein noodles are not gluten-free.
However, many restaurants are starting to offer alternative options for those who cannot eat gluten.
For example, some places will use rice noodles instead of wheat noodles, or leave out the soy sauce altogether and substitute it with a gluten-free version.
Fortunately, lo mein is one dish that can easily be made gluten-free by simply swapping out the regular egg noodles for gluten-free ones.
You can find these at most health food stores, or even some regular supermarkets.
Just make sure to check the label to ensure they are in fact gluten-free.
How to Make Gluten Free Chicken Lo Mein?
If you love lo mein but are gluten-free, you’re in luck. It’s actually pretty easy to make a gluten free version of this popular dish.
All you need is some gluten free noodles and a few other ingredients and you’re good to go!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Gluten free noodles
- Oyster sauce
- Sesame oil
- Chicken breasts
- Vegetables (whatever you like! broccoli, carrots, snow peas, etc.)
Here’s How to Make It:
First, follow the package directions to cook your noodles. While they’re cooking, start preparing the rest of your ingredients.
Next, heat up some sesame oil in a large skillet or wok. Then, add in your chicken and cook until it’s cooked through.
The most important thing is to make sure that your chicken is properly cooked before adding it to the noodles. I like to cook mine in a pan with some olive oil and garlic.
Once the chicken is cooked, add in your vegetables and cook for a few more minutes until they’re tender.
Finally, add in the oyster sauce and noodles and mix everything together until it’s evenly coated. Serve hot and enjoy!
The key to making this dish gluten free is to use a gluten free soy sauce. This is available at most health food shops and online.
I like to add a little bit of rice vinegar and sesame oil to my soy sauce for extra flavor. So there you have it, a simple and delicious gluten free chicken lo mein that everyone will love!
Give it a try the next time you’re in the mood for some Chinese food and let us know how you like it!
How to Make Gluten-free Beef Lo Mein?
The steps are pretty much the same as making chicken lo mein, except you’ll want to use beef instead. I like to cook my beef in a pan with some olive oil and garlic.
Once it’s cooked, I add the noodles and vegetables. The key here is to use a gluten free soy sauce. You can use oyster sauce as well, but make sure it is gluten-free.
As with the chicken lo mein, you can add other vegetables to this dish, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli.
If you’re looking for a little extra protein, you can also add shrimp or tofu.
How to Make Gluten Free Vegetable Lo Mein?
The steps are the same as making chicken or beef lo mein, except you’ll want to use vegetables instead. I like to cook my vegetables in a pan with some olive oil and garlic. Once they’re cooked, I add the noodles.
Key here is to use a gluten free soy sauce. You can use oyster sauce as well, but make sure it is gluten free.
As with the chicken or beef lo mein, you can add other vegetables to this dish, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli. If you’re looking for a little extra protein, you can also add shrimp or tofu.
FAQs
What Is Lo Mein Sauce Made of?
As I mentioned earlier, lo mein sauce is usually a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil.
However, for our gluten-free version, we are going to use tamari (a type of soy sauce that is gluten-free), fish sauce, and coconut aminos (a seasoning sauce made from fermented coconut blossom nectar).
What Is the Difference Between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?
Lo mein is a Cantonese dish that consists of soft noodles, while chow mein is fried noodles. Chow mein can also be made with soft noodles, but the key difference is in the cooking method.
Are Lo Mein Noodles Gluten Free?
No, traditional lo mein is not gluten-free because it contains wheat noodles. However, our recipe is gluten-free because we are using rice noodles.
Can I Make This Dish Vegan?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegan by omitting the eggs and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
You can also use tofu or tempeh in place of the chicken.
Is Chicken Lo Mein Gluten Free?
No, traditional chicken lo mein is not gluten-free because it contains wheat noodles.
Is Shrimp Lo Mein Gluten Free?
No, traditional shrimp lo mein is not gluten-free.
What Can I Substitute for Lo Mein Sauce?
If you cannot find any of the ingredients for the sauce, or if you are looking for a simpler alternative, you can use soy sauce, fish sauce and rice vinegar.
This will give you a similar flavor profile to the traditional sauce.
Can I Use Rice Noodles for Gluten Free Lo Mein?
Yes, rice noodles are a great gluten-free alternative to wheat noodles.
They are also vegan, so they are a great option if you are looking for a vegan lo mein recipe.
Can I Use Gluten Free Spaghetti Instead of Noodles in Lo Mein?
Yes, you can use gluten-free spaghetti instead of noodles. Just be sure to cook the spaghetti according to the package directions before adding it to the pan.
Do I Have to Use Sesame Oil in Lo Mein?
No, you don’t have to use sesame oil in lo mein. However, it does give the dish a nice flavor and aroma, so I would recommend using it if you can.
What Else Can I Add to Lo Mein?
There are many different ways that you can customize this dish.
Some other ingredients that you could add include vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots or peppers), shrimp, beef, pork or tofu.
Can I Make Lo Mein Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make lo mein ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat it before serving.
How Long Does Lo Mein Last in the Fridge?
Typically, lo mein will last in the fridge for up to four days.
How Can I Make Lo Mein Healthier?
There are a few ways that you can make this dish healthier. First, you could use whole wheat noodles instead of white noodles.
You could also add more vegetables to the dish, and use less sauce. Finally, you could use leaner cuts of meat or tofu.
I hope you found these FAQs helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer them. Happy cooking!