Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (2024)

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by Todd + Diane

Our zucchini noodle chow mein recipe is a light and low carb alternative to regular Chinese chow mein noodles. Eat well.Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (1)

Low Carb Chow Mein Recipe with Zucchini Noodles

The last two weeks have been so calm. All our deadlines and client campaigns were finished and delivered before Christmas, which always feels so great to click that last “send” button. We made time over our break to catch up to all things needed: sharing mealswith old friends, spending time with family from afar, sleeping-in, and house cleaning. During the holiday time, we truly enjoy being able to just not have to think about anything other than cooking and gathering with friends.Indeed, cooking for family and friends is so different from cooking at the studio for work. We’re free to experiment with recipes, pour glasses of wine and just cook on-the-fly. Wine definitely makes the moment so much for enjoyable. We’re now feeling a little more pleasantly-plump, pants are fitting a little more snug and we’re not ready to get back on our regular meals without all the holiday decadence.

Video: Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe:

Now that we’re back in the full swing of shooting again, we’re enjoying our healthier and lighter meals that don’t put us in an afternoon food coma. For lunch, we tend to avoid the heavier starches because our bodies want to dive into a deep sleep if we indulge too much in rice, pasta or breads. That’s when we pull out our trusted vegetable spiralizer and make zucchini noodles.

Easy Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe

Our last pad thai zucchini noodle recipe was such a hit with you all that we’re sharing our other lunch-favorite zucchini noodle recipe: zucchini noodle chow mein ! It’s another hit with our crew and as always, satisfies our bellies without filling us with yawns and tired eyes.This “Zoodle”chow mein recipe will be one of your go-to zucchini noodles recipes, guaranteed. It’s so versatile, you can eliminate the pork, add more of your favorite veggies and make a vegetarian version.In fact, we’re so hooked on zucchini right now, it’s been our “little” big project for 2015. We mentioned our Bountiful Recipe Quarterly with a photo on Facebook and it’s coming along quite nicely. If you’re loving zucchini, you definitely would sign up for our recipe updates here so you can be one of the first to find out about our “little” big zucchini project!

Happy New Year,

diane and todd

We used this awesome Paderno vegetable spiral slicerto make our zucchini noodle chow mein:Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (3)we love this vegetable slicer, especially for making bigger batches of zucchini noodles

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (4)

this spiral vegetable slicer, cuts up the zucchini super quick

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (5)

Our OXO vegetable peeler was equally awesome at making the noodles, without the curly look.

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (6)

A Mandolin works great as well, but be safe. We used our safety gloves.

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (7)

Zucchini noodle chow mein is easilymade with the Paderno vegetable spiralizer tool, the julienne peeleror a mandolin.

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (8)

Enjoy our popular Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai with Shrimp Recipe

Turkey marinara with zucchini noodles hits the spot.Here’s the recipe.

FavoriteSpiraliers forZucchini Noodles:

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (11)

Paderno Spiralizer
The Classic! We’ve lost track of how many meals this one has made for us. Fantastic spiralizer.

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (13)

OXO Julienne Peeler
For those who love it simple. This great julienne peeler has seen a lot of mileage in our kitchen.

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (14)

Zucchini Noodles Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

See post for additional recipe details. We used a Spiralizer to create the zucchini noodles.

4.84 from 6 votes

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Ingredients

  • 2 medium (2 medium) zucchini
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten free)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) oyster sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil , grapeseed oil or any cooking oil
  • 1/2 medium (0.5 medium) onion , diced
  • 2-3 cloves (2 cloves) garlic , minced
  • 1/2 pound (227 g) ground pork
  • 1 small (1 small) red bell pepper , thin sliced
  • 1 large (1 large) carrot , julienned
  • kosher or sea salt , to taste
  • fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped cilantro (optional)
  • chili garlic sauce , sriracha or hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  • Cut zucchini into noodles usingspiralizer,julienne tool, or amandoline(if using a mandoline, we highly recommend usingcut resistant gloves). Set aside.

  • Make the sauce: In medium bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar, oyster sauce and sugar. Set aside.

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add onions and garlic, cook until soft.

    Add pork and cook until brown, about 3-5 minutes. Add red bell pepper and carrot. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 2 minutes.

  • Add the zucchini noodles and the sauce. Stir everything in the pan until coated and continue cooking until zucchini noodles are tender, about 2-3 minutes.

    Garnish with cilantro, serve with hot sauce.

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 453kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 1277mg, Potassium: 1108mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 7700IU, Vitamin C: 88.8mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 2.4mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian, Skillet, Stove Top

Calories: 453

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100+ Easy Meals 30 Minute Recipes Asian Food Gluten Free Healthy Low Carb | Keto One Pot | Skillet Paleo Pasta | Noodles Pork Recipes Vegetables

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Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (15)

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28 comments on “Healthy Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein with Pork”

  1. Anita September 6, 2022 @ 4:41 pm Reply

    I just made this for dinner and was totally surprised how good it was. Both my husband and myself really liked it. I used sausage cause that’s what I had and grated the carrot cause I’m lazy and added about 1 cup chopped cabbage to the vegetables. Will definitely be making this again as long as my garden keeps giving me zucchini!

  2. Zaheera November 24, 2019 @ 11:28 pm Reply

    I can’t get enough of your zucchini noodle recipes. They’re so good. This one is my favorite of them all.Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (18)

  3. Eisa November 24, 2019 @ 11:27 pm Reply

    Love your pictures! They’re equally as good as your recipes!Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (19)

  4. Ed January 22, 2019 @ 4:33 pm Reply

    This dish made me look like a professional chef in front of my kids, haha. It was amazing. Thanks for the recipe! The whole family loved it.Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (20)

    • February 2, 2019 @ 8:25 pm Reply

      Ed- that’s pretty awesome your kids think you’re a cool pro Chef. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

  5. Emily January 20, 2019 @ 4:31 pm Reply

    Made this for my husband and he absolutely loved it! Thanks for the recipe!Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (21)

    • January 20, 2019 @ 4:50 pm Reply

      Yay! So glad hubby loved the recipe.

Leave a Reply

Zucchini Noodle Chow Mein Recipe with Ground Pork (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook zucchini noodles so they don t get soggy? ›

To avoid soggy and limp noodles, I recommend cooking for only 3-5 minutes (5 if you're cooking more than 1-2 spiralized zucchinis) and tossing frequently. You want a slightly al dente noodle.

What is the sauce in chow mein made of? ›

Combine soy sauce, light sesame oil, oyster sauce, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the signature sweet and savory sauce that makes chow mein taste authentic.

What's the difference between zucchini noodles and zoodles? ›

The biggest difference most people notice when they eat zucchini noodles is the texture. The texture of zoodles can vary based on how long they are cooked and how they are made. Lightly cooked zoodles will be crunchier than pasta and well-done zoodles will be softer.

What's the difference between lo mein and chow mein? ›

The sauce: Chow mein is more of a dry noodle dish with an extremely light and delicate sauce — if any sauce at all. Lo mein is a saucy noodle dish that depends on a rich sauce for much of its flavor. The texture: Chow mein noodles tend to be crunchier than lo mein noodles due to the way they are cooked.

Should I salt my zucchini noodles before cooking? ›

Should I Salt Zucchini Noodles? Don't pre-salt your zucchini noodles. First of all, one of the benefits of spiralizing is that it's SO quick (just spiralize, cook, and enjoy pasta in under 5 minutes!). Salting adds extra prep work.

Why is my sauteed zucchini mushy? ›

Zucchini is made of over 90% water. When cooked, it gets soft and slowly releases that water into whatever dish you're cooking. If zucchini is overcooked, it will have a mushy, soft texture. In certain recipes, the author may recommend that zucchini be patted dry or salted and drained before cooking.

What makes chow mein taste like chow mein? ›

The sauce is what gives chow mein all of its seasoning and addictive flavors. It's a mix of oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and freshly ground black pepper. It's full of sweet and savory umami and seriously SO good.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

Oyster sauce is commonly used in Chinese food and adds a savory, salty, umami flavor. Both can be found in most grocery stores. If you like, you can add grated or minced ginger or garlic. Serve your homemade brown sauce with a beef, chicken, or pork stir-fry or chow mein dish.

What is chow mein seasoning made of? ›

A great Chow Mein comes down to the sauce, made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and cornstarch for thickening. Slippery noodles slick with the savoury sauce is noodle heaven!

Are zucchini noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Zucchini is low in fat, sugar, and calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber, making it a great substitute for traditional pasta noodles. Fiber helps to regulate bowels and maintain good digestive health, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to protect cells.

Are you supposed to boil zucchini noodles? ›

Don't! We like our regular pasta with a nice al dente bite, and the same goes for cooking zoodles! If you serve a warm sauce over the noodles, it will gently heat them through, so no actual cooking is necessary.

What is healthier spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles? ›

A look into essential Vitamins & Minerals, shows that Zucchini Pasta outdoes Spaghetti Squash on every one, except for Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Selenium. Information found from SELF's Nutrition Data calculator.

What is in Panda Express chow mein? ›

Ingredients: cabbage, wheat flour, celery, carrots, water, mung bean vermicelli, green onions, modified corn starch, contains less than 2% of: ginger & garlic oil, sesame oil, salt, sugar, dehydrated soy sauce, onion powder, natural stir-fry flavor, spices, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, soybean oil, sodium ...

What is Chicago Chow Mein? ›

Home ⁄ Chicago Chow Mein or Chop Suey

CHOW MEIN: Finely Cut Vegetables in a Dark Sauce, Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts & Pea Pods w. Noodles. ChOP SUEY: Large sliuced of vegetable in dark sauce, Mushroom, water chestnuts & pea pods.

What is a good substitute for chow mein noodles? ›

Yes, it is possible to substitute spaghetti for chow mein noodles by boiling it with a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda alters the pH level of the spaghetti, giving it a similar texture and flavor to chow mein noodles. They can then be used in any dish that calls for chow mein noodles.

How do you firm up zoodles? ›

Tips For Avoiding Watery, Soggy Zoodles
  1. Squeeze them out before cooking – ring them out in some paper towels or a lightweight dish towel.
  2. Don't overcook them – stick to the cook times and methods above.
  3. Add them into soups and sauces at the very end – they'll get cooked just being in the warm soup or sauce.
Jun 9, 2022

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

Things You Should Know. If you see mold, black spots, browning, yellowing, shriveling, or wrinkling on the skin of your zucchini, it has likely gone bad. A soft, mushy, or slimy texture also indicates spoilage.

How long to salt zucchini to remove moisture? ›

Sprinkle the grated zucchini with salt, only to season them, not more. Put them to drain in a colander with a dish underneath. Leave for 1 hour, then, using your hands, squeeze out the excess liquid. Put the zucchini to one side.

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