Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 8 ounces lo mein noodles; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 medium carrot, peeled and thinly sliced; 1 pound medium sized raw shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 cup green onion, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish; ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce; ¼ cup teriyaki sauce; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

If you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and a little bit special, this Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe is exactly what you need. It comes together in under 20 minutes and packs that perfect sweet-savory punch—you’re going to love how simple it is without skimping on taste.

A close-up view inside a pan filled with stir-fried noodles and shrimp. The dish has three main layers: at the bottom, golden brown noodles mixed with thin orange carrot strips and small bright green pieces of green onion; on top, plump, light orange shrimp scattered evenly; and mixed throughout, tiny bits of dark green herbs. Wooden chopsticks are lifting a portion of the noodles and carrots from the pan. The background shows a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe countless times, and it never fails to impress. It strikes that perfect balance between sweet, salty, and just a little bit spicy, so every bite feels exciting but still super approachable.

Speedy and straightforward: You can go from kitchen to table in about 20 minutes, which is a lifesaver on busy nights.
Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor: Using just a handful of staples like soy sauce, teriyaki, and garlic creates layers of rich taste without fuss.
Customizable to your craving: Whether you like it spicier or want to swap veggies, this recipe welcomes personalization with open arms.
Perfect shrimp texture: Quick cooking means tender, juicy shrimp every single time—no rubbery disappointments here.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in making this Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe both easy and delicious. Choosing quality basics like fresh shrimp and well-made sauces makes all the difference—and I’m sharing a few handy tips below to help you shop smart.

Flat lay of lo mein noodles coiled naturally, a small white bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a medium peeled carrot thinly sliced into rounds, a pile of medium sized raw shrimp with shells removed and deveined, a small white bowl filled with minced garlic, a small white bowl of low sodium soy sauce, a small white bowl of teriyaki sauce, roughly chopped green onions scattered in a small white bowl, and a small white bowl containing crushed red pepper flakes, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lo mein noodles: These soft, chewy noodles are the heart of the dish. I recommend fresh or refrigerated ones if you can find them, but dried work great too.
Extra virgin olive oil: It’s my go-to for sautéing to add a subtle fruity note while keeping the shrimp juicy.
Carrot: Thin slices cook super fast and add just the right bit of crunch and natural sweetness.
Raw shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp cook quickly and absorb flavors beautifully; fresh or thawed frozen shrimp both work.
Minced garlic: Garlic infuses that irresistible aroma and depth that turns simple into sensational.
Low sodium soy sauce: Balances saltiness without overwhelming, letting the other flavors shine.
Teriyaki sauce: Adds sweetness and umami—this little boost helps achieve that takeout-style richness.
Green onions: They brighten the dish with a mild bite, and extra for garnish adds a fresh pop.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): I like to add a pinch for a subtle kick, but you can skip or ramp it up to your taste.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe—from swapping shrimp for tofu when I’m craving something meatless, to loading up on veggies when I want extra crunch and color. Don’t be shy about tweaking it to what you have on hand or what your mood is!

Vegetable boost: I often add bell peppers, snap peas, or baby corn—just toss them in at the same time as the carrots for a fresh, crisp bite.
Spice it up: If you like heat, doubling the crushed red pepper or adding a dash of chili garlic sauce kicks things up wonderfully.
Gluten-free swap: Using gluten-free noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce works perfectly if you’re avoiding gluten.
Protein variation: Substitute the shrimp with chicken strips or firm tofu for a different twist that’s just as satisfying.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with stir-fried noodles and shrimp. The bottom layer is long, thin noodles cooked to a golden brown color with a slightly shiny texture from the sauce. On top of the noodles, there are plump, orange-pink shrimp with a smooth and slightly shiny surface, spread evenly around the bowl. Mixed in with the noodles and shrimp are small pieces of green vegetables which add splashes of dark and bright green color. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and a pair of shiny metal chopsticks rests inside the bowl, lifting some noodles. In the background, part of a large pan with more noodles is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cook Your Noodles Just Right

Start by cooking the lo mein noodles exactly as the package says. Don’t overcook them—al dente is the goal since they’ll soften a bit more when stir-frying. Drain well and set aside so they don’t stick together.

Step 2: Sauté Carrots for a Quick Crunch

Heat your extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Toss in those thinly sliced carrots and cook for about 2 minutes until they start to soften but still hold their crunch. Push them to the side—this keeps them from overcooking when you add the shrimp.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp Just Until Pink

Add the raw shrimp to the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Shrimp cook fast, so keep an eye on them to avoid that rubbery texture. Once pink, stir the carrots and shrimp together for good mix.

Step 4: Bring It All Together with Sauce and Noodles

Stir in the minced garlic, low sodium soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, chopped green onions, and your cooked noodles. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes if you love a little heat. Keep stirring for 2–3 minutes to let everything absorb the flavors evenly and warm through.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Remove from heat and sprinkle on extra chopped green onions for freshness and crunch. Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of tender shrimp, silky noodles, and that punchy sauce!

Top Tip

From my many attempts making Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe, a few little tricks made all the difference in getting great results fast and reliably.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook shrimp in batches if needed to prevent steaming—they brown better and taste better when given space.
Reserve some noodle cooking water: A splash can help loosen the sauce and keep noodles silky if pan starts looking dry.
Use a hot pan or wok: High heat keeps everything quick and crisp and helps create those lovely little caramelized bits.
Fresh green onions at the end: They add just the right fresh zing—don’t skip this step!

How to Serve Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe

A black pan shows a layered stir-fry with a white marbled surface below. The bottom layer is a mix of shredded light green cabbage and thin orange carrot strips spread around the edges. Above this lies a thick bed of golden yellow noodles taking up most of the pan. On top of the noodles, several pink shrimp pieces are arranged mostly on the left side. The center is covered with a large pile of white bean sprouts, while dark green chopped scallions rest near the bean sprouts on the lower left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always top my shrimp lo mein with freshly sliced green onions and sometimes a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for that extra nutty crunch and visual appeal. If I’m feeling fancy, a little drizzle of toasted sesame oil just before serving adds an irresistible aroma.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I like pairing this with steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and a touch of sugar. For a heartier meal, potstickers or egg rolls make the perfect accompaniment.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I sometimes serve individual portions in little lettuce cups or pretty bowls garnished with cilantro. It’s fun and adds a fresh contrast to the warm noodles, plus the presentation always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they keep well for about 2 days. The noodles absorb more sauce over time, so I recommend reheating gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen things up.

Freezing

Freezing shrimp lo mein isn’t my first choice because the noodles can get a bit mushy upon thawing. But if you need to freeze, pop it in a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

I warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth—this helps rehydrate the noodles and brings back that fresh-off-the-stove taste better than microwaving in my experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking to achieve the best texture and prevent excess water in the pan.

What can I substitute for teriyaki sauce if I don’t have it?

You can make an easy substitute by mixing soy sauce with a little honey or brown sugar and a splash of rice vinegar. This combo replicates the sweet and tangy flavor without needing bottled teriyaki.

Is this Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes! Just swap regular lo mein noodles for gluten-free ones and replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and choose a gluten-free teriyaki sauce. The flavors still come through beautifully.

How can I keep shrimp from overcooking in lo mein?

Shrimp cook very quickly—just 2-3 minutes in a hot pan until pink and opaque is enough. Cooking them separately and adding last helps avoid that rubbery, overdone texture.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe holds a special spot in my weeknight rotation because it’s one of those dishes that feels comforting and a little fancy all at once. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—the great news is, it’s flexible, forgiving, and always hits the spot. Give it a try and tuck it into your meal lineup for easy, tasty dinners the whole family will rave about.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way