This Turkey Lo Mein recipe is something I find myself making again and again, especially when I’m craving takeout but want something a little healthier and homemade.
It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, and the leftovers are amazing for lunch the next day.
What makes this dish special is the combination of savory ground turkey, tender noodles, and colorful vegetables, all coated in a delicious, flavorful sauce.
Turkey Lo Mein: What to Expect
This dish is basically a flavor explosion in a bowl! Think of it as a delicious stir-fry with noodles.
You get the satisfying chewiness of lo mein noodles, combined with the savory goodness of ground turkey.
It’s packed with fresh vegetables like bell peppers and carrots, offering a nice crunch and a boost of nutrients.
And everything is coated in a simple, yet incredibly tasty, sauce that ties it all together.
I love serving this family-style, right in the middle of the table. It’s also great for meal prepping because it reheats so well.
Let’s Talk Ingredients for Turkey Lo Mein
Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy dish:
- Ground Turkey: 1 pound. I usually use lean ground turkey, but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Lo Mein Noodles: 8 ounces, dried. You can usually find these in the Asian section of your grocery store. If you can’t find lo mein noodles, spaghetti or linguine will work in a pinch.
- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup, low-sodium is best so it’s not too salty.
- Hoisin Sauce: 2 tablespoons. This adds a sweet and savory depth of flavor.
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon. This adds a nutty aroma and flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Honey: 1 tablespoon. This balances the savory flavors.
- Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon. Adds a subtle tang.
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon. This helps thicken the sauce.
- Ground Ginger: 1 teaspoon.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for a little heat).
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for cooking the turkey.
- Vegetables:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced.
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced.
- 1 carrot, julienned or shredded.
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms.
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions.
Feel free to get creative with the veggies! Broccoli florets, snow peas, or sliced celery would also be delicious.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Our Lo Mein
- Cook the Noodles: First, cook your lo mein noodles according to the package directions. Once they’re done, drain them and rinse them with cold water. This stops them from sticking together.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ground ginger, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set this aside. This sauce is the heart of the dish, so make sure everything is well combined.
- Cook the Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook it until it’s browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure there are no pink bits left.
- Add the Vegetables: Add the sliced bell peppers, julienned carrot, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened but still have a bit of crunch.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked noodles and the sauce to the skillet with the turkey and vegetables. Toss everything together until the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. The sauce will thicken as it heats up.
- Simmer: Let everything simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Give it a good stir now and then.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Variations & Tips for this Turkey Lo Mein Recipe
- Spice it Up: If you like things spicy, add more red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables you love, like broccoli, snap peas, or bean sprouts.
- Make it Ahead: You can cook the turkey and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, just cook the noodles, make the sauce, and combine everything.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You might want to add a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this as a main course, or alongside other Asian-inspired dishes.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- Equipment you’ll need: Large skillet or wok, large pot (for noodles), small bowl.
Turkey Lo Mein
This Turkey Lo Mein recipe is something I find myself making again and again, especially when I'm craving takeout but want something a little healthier and homemade. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner, and the leftovers are amazing for lunch the next day.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles dried
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low-sodium
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 1 carrot julienned or shredded
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: First, cook your lo mein noodles according to the package directions. Once they're done, drain them and rinse them with cold water. This stops them from sticking together.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ground ginger, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set this aside. This sauce is the heart of the dish, so make sure everything is well combined.
- Cook the Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook it until it's browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure there are no pink bits left.
- Add the Vegetables: Add the sliced bell peppers, julienned carrot, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened but still have a bit of crunch.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked noodles and the sauce to the skillet with the turkey and vegetables. Toss everything together until the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. The sauce will thicken as it heats up.
- Simmer: Let everything simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Give it a good stir now and then.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!