Description
Delightful zucchini noodle chow mein delivers a low-carb twist on classic Chinese takeout with spiralized veggie magic. Crisp vegetables and savory sauce create a light, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchinis (spiralized into noodles)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or preferred cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ medium onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 large carrot (julienned)
- 2 tbsps soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsps oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for vegetarian option)
- ¼ tsp sesame oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- Chopped cilantro (optional garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- Lime juice (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl, creating a harmonious flavor base for the dish.
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until they release their fragrant essence and become translucent.
- Vegetable Medley: Introduce sliced red bell peppers and julienned carrots to the skillet, stir-frying until they achieve a vibrant, crisp-tender texture that maintains their nutritional integrity.
- Zucchini Noodle Integration: Gently fold spiralized zucchini noodles into the vegetable mixture, cascading the prepared sauce over the ingredients to ensure complete and even flavor distribution.
- Final Flourish: Continue cooking for a brief moment, allowing zucchini noodles to soften while preserving their delicate structure. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then embellish with optional garnishes like chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, or a citrusy lime juice accent. Serve piping hot for maximum culinary enjoyment.
Notes
- Pat zucchini noodles with paper towels before cooking to remove excess water, preventing soggy texture and ensuring crisp, al dente consistency.
- Zucchini noodles cook rapidly, so stir-fry quickly for 2-3 minutes maximum to maintain their tender-crisp texture and prevent turning into mushy strands.
- Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or ginger to the sauce for an extra kick of complexity and authentic Asian-inspired flavor profile.
- Easily transform the dish by adding sliced chicken, shrimp, or tofu during the vegetable stir-frying stage for a more substantial and protein-rich meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg