Description
Hearty ground beef chow mein delivers authentic Chinese-American comfort straight from your kitchen. Tender noodles, savory beef, and crisp vegetables mingle in a rich sauce that promises satisfying flavor with minimal cooking effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cooked and drained chow mein noodles or spaghetti
Vegetables:
- 2 cups sliced celery
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (or coleslaw mix)
- 3 minced cloves of garlic
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1 julienned carrot
- 1 can (5 ounces or 142 grams) drained and sliced water chestnuts
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, meticulously breaking the meat into small, uniform pieces. Carefully drain excess fat and transfer the cooked beef to the slow cooker.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions, freshly minced garlic, and thinly sliced celery into the slow cooker, allowing these aromatic vegetables to infuse flavor with the beef.
- Create a robust sauce by whisking together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ground ginger, freshly cracked black pepper, and rich beef broth in a separate mixing bowl. Gently pour this seasoned liquid over the beef and vegetables, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature for 6 hours (180-240 minutes), enabling the ingredients to meld together and develop a deep, complex flavor profile while vegetables tenderize.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, fold in crisp shredded cabbage, julienned carrots (about 0.25 inches / 0.6 centimeters thick), and crunchy water chestnuts. Adjust the slow cooker to high setting to warm the fresh vegetables while maintaining their textural integrity.
- Simultaneously prepare egg noodles or spaghetti according to package instructions, ensuring they are cooked al dente.
- Plate the noodles, generously top with the savory beef mixture, and garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an elevated presentation.
Notes
- Elevate your meal prep with this effortless slow cooker ground beef chow mein that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.
- Browning ground beef beforehand intensifies the rich meaty flavor and removes excess fat, creating a more concentrated taste profile.
- Layering aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery builds depth and complexity within the dish, infusing every bite with robust character.
- Combining soy sauce, hoisin, and beef broth creates a magical umami-packed liquid that tenderizes meat while delivering complex Asian-inspired seasoning.
- Introducing crisp vegetables during the final cooking stage preserves their vibrant texture and nutritional integrity, ensuring a delightful contrast against the soft, saucy beef.
- Serving over noodles with optional green onion or sesame seed garnishes allows personalization and adds visual appeal to this comforting one-pot wonder.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg