Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat (Instant Pot)

Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein- This chow mein recipe made in the Instant Pot combines tasty and perfectly crisp pre-cooked Hokkien noodles with crunchy celery, flavorful onion, and cabbage. Toss everything in a delicious sauce that is a combination of soy sauce and Hoisin sauce for an irresistible dinner dish that tastes just like your favorite side dish from Panda Express.

I don’t know about you, but I crave Chinese food pretty much every week, especially this Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein. With this recipe, you can skip the drive-through line. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the house!  You will have the most delicious chow mein at home, and it will be ready in only a few minutes. Did I mention that it is cooked in the Instant Pot? That’s definitely an added bonus in my book.

This Chow Mein recipe is also healthier than the restaurant version.  Cooking it at home, you can control the ingredients that are going into it. This recipe calls for fresh ingredients that you have in your own kitchen.  It is easy to throw together and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time. All that you have to do to make this Chow Mein is caramelize your vegetables in the Instant Pot, then add in your noodles and sauce. That’s it! It is quick to make and no other dishes are involved, which also means that cleanup is a breeze.

Why You’ll Love This Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein

• Delicious- This recipe tastes just as good (if not better) than the restaurant version.
• Easy- Panda Express copycat chow mein is simple and quick when made in the Instant Pot.
• Packed with flavor- Between the tasty veggies, crunchy noodles, and tangy sauce, this recipe is exploding with amazing flavors.

Equipment Needed To Make Vegetarian Panda Express Chow Mein

• Instant Pot

Ingredients For Your Panda Express Copycat Chow Mein

• Hokkien noodles
• Celery chopped
• Yellow onion 
• Cabbage
• Olive oil
• Low sodium soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce

How To Make Vegan Chow Mein in the Instant Pot

To make vegan chow mein in the instant pot, set the instant pot to saute and allow it to heat up. Add oil and vegetables to the instant pot and cook until they start to caramelize. Once vegetables are tender add pre-cooked Hokkien noodles and sauce and stir until combined. Enjoy!

Popular Substitutions & Additions

You can add other veggies to your chow mein. I have tried bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, and bean sprouts. Make sure that whatever you add is finely chopped so that it will cook appropriately in the air fryer.

You can use a premade chow mein sauce if you don’t want to make your own. You can find these at most stores. Just check the ingredients list to make sure that whatever you choose is vegan-friendly.

How To Reheat & Store Vegetarian Copycat Chow Mein

We never have leftovers of this dish in my house. I know that it makes a large batch, but we can’t help but go back for seconds (and sometimes even thirds). If you do happen to have leftovers, they need to be refrigerated in a sealed, airtight container.  If stored properly, they will last in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure that they are completely cooled before sticking them in the fridge.

To reheat leftover Chow Mein, you can put it back into the instant pot until it is warm, warm it in a wok on the stovetop, or microwave a small portion for 2-3 minutes, or until warm.

You can also freeze your Chow Mein. Once it is completely cooled, place it in an airtight container and put it in the freezer. It will last for up to 2 months. Be sure to thaw it completely before reheating.

📋 Recipe