Yes, you can reheat chow mein. Chow mein is a Chinese cuisine that consists of egg noodles and stir-fried vegetables. It is so lovely to add a protein source, and chicken is one of the best, but you may substitute other meats or tofu.
The meal is pan-fried to give the noodles a beautiful crunch, then mixed in a delicious sauce. The thick, black homemade sauce mixed with the noodles gives chow mein its distinct flavor. It’s the right blend of sweet and salty, and it’s tough to put down your chopsticks. Chow mein is ideal for when you don’t want to dirty many pots and pans or make a massive mess in the kitchen. When it comes to reheating chow mein, you have a few options: oven, microwave, and wok/frying pan.
What are the main ingredients needed to make up chow mein?
Chow Mein Noodles: Wheat and egg make chow mein noodles. They have a fantastic bite to them and are comparable to Italian pasta noodles. You can find dry chow mein noodles in the Asian section of most supermarkets. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover pre-cooked chow mein noodles in the refrigerated section, which you can toss into your pan right away.
Vegetables: Carrots, green onions, cabbage, and bean sprouts are a delicious combination of vegetables for chow mein. Other vegetables such as bok choy, broccoli, celery, spinach, kale, or baby corn can easily be a substitute for the primary vegetables. Feel free to get creative and use anything you want or whatever you have in your refrigerator
Meat: For slicing into chow mein-ready strips, the best bet is to use high-quality chicken breasts. Feel free to substitute steak, shrimp, or pork for the chicken.
How do you make chow mein?
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the oyster sauce, sesame oil, chicken broth, soy sauce, and cornstarch for the chow mein sauce.
- Cook the noodles according to the steps on the packaging and set them aside.
- Preheat a big wok or pan over high heat. Cook the chicken in a small amount of oil until golden brown. Take the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Add the carrots, cabbage, and squeezed garlic to the pan and cook for a few minutes or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Return the chicken to the pan, followed by the cooked noodles, and pour the sauce over everything. Cook for about 2 minutes, evenly dispersing all of the juicy goodness.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the chopped green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy while hot.
How to reheat Chow Mein?
It’s simple to reheat your chow mein if you get those all-too-common late-night hunger pangs. As a result, it shouldn’t be challenging to figure out how to reheat it without turning it into a rubbery mushy mess. It’s crucial to understand how to use the following methods: Microwave, oven, and wok or cooking pan.
Wok or Frying Pan
Heat a nonstick frying pan or wok over medium-high heat when reheating in a wok or frying pan. Please wait until it’s heated before adding one tablespoon of oil (it’ll seem slightly sparkly when it’s ready). Add the noodles and toss them about the pan with kitchen tongs for 3 to 4 minutes.
In a wok or frying pan, reheat chow mein as follows:
- Preheat a wok or a nonstick skillet over high heat.
- Pour in one tablespoon of oil and heat it. Drop a little piece of noodle into the oil to check the temperature. It should start sizzling right immediately.
- Toss in the noodles for 3 to 4 minutes, or until well warm. It will take longer if you are heating more than one portion.
- Sprinkle a splash of sauce or water on the pan if the noodles are dry. Soy sauce is a good choice.
- Before adding the chow mein, fry some fresh ingredients in the skillet to boost the meal. After that, when adding oil, use your best judgment. You may not need any additional oil if your chow mein is especially fatty. The vegetables lose their crispness in the fridge, and the chow mein loses part of its vibrancy.
Microwave
To reheat your chow mein in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between to ensure that the noodles reheat evenly. If your noodles are dry, a dash of soy sauce or a splash of water will help to keep them wet.
In the microwave, reheat chow mein as follows:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, place the chow mein.
- Use a damp paper towel or plastic wrap to cover the dish (leaving a small gap so the steam can escape).
- Put a tablespoon of soy sauce or water, if desired.
- Heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring the noodles halfway through.
- Set aside for 60 seconds before serving the chow mein.
- When making fish chow mein, avoid using the microwave. In the microwave, seafood quickly overheats, leaving you with a rubbery mess. Move your chow mein from the takeaway container to a microwave-safe bowl as soon as possible.
Oven
Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celcius before reheating the chow mein. Add a few teaspoons of soy sauce or water to the noodles and cover with foil or leftover chow mein sauce. Warm for 5–10 minutes, or until the noodles are thoroughly warmed. In an oven-safe tray, evenly distribute the chow mein.
To reheat chow mein in the oven, follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F or 180 degrees Celsius.
- Arrange the chow mein in an oven-safe dish in an even layer.
- Cover with foil and a dash of soy sauce or water.
- Cook the chow mein for 5 to 10 minutes on high heat.
Best way to reheat chow mein
Reheating chow mein in a wok or a skillet is superior to other techniques. It means you won’t have to deal with soggy noodles, and the sauce’s flavor will be maintained, unlike in different ways where it would fade. Microwave cooking is quick and convenient, and it’s ideal for when you’re in a rush. The microwave method is the least efficient of the three because it changes the chow mein smell.
Can you freeze chow mein?
Yes, chow mein can be frozen. The best-frozen noodles are those that are slightly underdone. If the noodles are overcooked, they may become mushy after freezing. After freezing, certain veggies will get a little limp (bok choy, for example). You can freeze chow mein for up to two months. After 2-3 months, the food will still be palatable, but the quality will decline. The following are the steps for freezing chow mein:
- Bring the chow mein to room temperature before serving.
- Divide the chow mein.
- Please place it in a freezer bag or an airtight container. If you’re going to use a container, choose one that doesn’t have a lot of additional room.
- Eliminate as much air as possible from your freezer bag, or cover the top of the chow mein in the airtight container with plastic wrap.
- Label the containers and store them in the freezer.
- Defrost for 2 to 3 months before using.
Important notes
It’s critical to cool the chow mein before freezing it. When you freeze hot chow mein, ice crystals form inside the noodles, which will break down when you thaw them. Premature freezer burn results from too much air exposure in the freezer. Submerge an open freezer bag in a bowl of water to get rid of the air. The water will push the air out of the bag, allowing you to close it. You could also suck the air out with a straw. Cover the noodles with plastic wrap to ensure the noodles do not dry out.