Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies Recipe
If you’re craving a quick, flavorful, and wholesome meal, this Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies recipe is exactly what you need. It combines tender, juicy shrimp with vibrant vegetables and perfectly cooked noodles, all tossed in a savory sauce that bursts with umami. Whether you want a healthy weeknight dinner or a fuss-free way to impress without much effort, this recipe delivers big on taste and ease. The beauty of Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies is that it packs vibrant flavors and textures into one pot, ready in under 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy Satisfaction: Ready in less than 30 minutes, this recipe saves you time without sacrificing flavor.
- Nutrition Boost: Loaded with fresh veggies and protein-packed shrimp, it’s a balanced meal you can feel good about.
- One-Pot Wonder: Uses just your Instant Pot for minimal cleanup and maximum convenience.
- Vibrant Flavors: Each bite bursts with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and earthy notes.
- Customizable: Easy to swap veggies or protein to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies lies in its simple but carefully selected ingredients. Each component adds a layer of deliciousness and texture, helping you build a restaurant-quality dish from your home kitchen.
- Medium-sized shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp provide tender seafood flavor and protein.
- Lo mein noodles: Soft, chewy noodles that absorb all the savory sauce perfectly.
- Bell peppers: Adds crispness and a splash of color with natural sweetness.
- Carrots: Provides crunch and a hint of earthiness for balance.
- Snap peas or snow peas: Fresh green veggies that bring a slight sweetness and crunch.
- Garlic and ginger: Aromatics that create an irresistible base for the sauce.
- Soy sauce: The essential salty, umami-packed ingredient tying the dish together.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty, toasty depth like no other.
- Chicken or vegetable broth: Helps cook noodles and intensify flavor while adding moisture.
- Green onions: For that fresh, oniony finish and a pop of brightness.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For those who like a little kick.
Variations for Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies
One of the best parts about this recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to mix and match ingredients to fit your dietary needs, preferences, or the contents of your fridge without losing that irresistible lo mein flavor.
- Swap the shrimp: Use chicken, tofu, or beef strips based on your protein preference.
- Veggie mix-up: Add mushrooms, broccoli florets, or baby corn for extra textures and nutrition.
- Make it gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and zucchini noodles or rice noodles instead of lo mein noodles.
- Spice it up: Add more red pepper flakes, chili garlic sauce, or a dash of sriracha for heat.
- Low-sodium option: Opt for low-sodium soy sauce and reduce added salt for a heart-healthy version.
How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Begin by cleaning and deveining your shrimp if needed, slicing the bell peppers and carrots into thin strips, and mincing garlic and ginger to release their aroma.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Veggies
Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Drizzle in sesame oil, then add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant. Toss in the peppers, carrots, and snap peas, stirring gently for a couple of minutes to kickstart their tender-crisp texture.
Step 3: Add Broth and Noodles
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth along with soy sauce, then layer your lo mein noodles evenly over the veggies. Make sure to gently press noodles down but avoid stirring to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Pressure Cook and Add Shrimp
Close the lid and seal the valve to pressure cook noodles for 3 minutes on high. Quick-release the pressure and then stir in the shrimp, allowing residual heat to cook them through in about 4 minutes.
Step 5: Finish and Toss
Toss everything together carefully, adjusting seasoning if needed with extra soy sauce or sesame oil. Sprinkle chopped green onions and red pepper flakes for that final punch.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies
- Use medium noodles: Lo mein or egg noodles work best for perfect texture without turning mushy.
- Don’t overcook shrimp: Add shrimp after pressure cooking noodles to keep them tender and juicy.
- Layer noodles carefully: Avoid stirring noodles into broth before cooking to prevent sticking and clumping.
- Instant Pot sauté feature is key: Enhances freshness of aromatics and lightly cooks veggies for crunch.
- Quick pressure release: Helps keep veggies crisp and noodles from overcooking.
How to Serve Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies
Garnishes
Top your dish with finely chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or a drizzle of chili oil to add color, texture, and a burst of fresh flavor.
Side Dishes
Complement this meal with light sides like steamed edamame, a crisp cucumber salad, or simple miso soup for a well-rounded dining experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in elegant bowls or on large platters for a family-style meal, or wrap leftovers in lettuce leaves for a fun twist on handheld eating.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. This keeps the shrimp tender and veggies fresh for up to 3 days.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s best to freeze components separately—shrimp and veggies freeze better apart from noodles to avoid sogginess.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in short bursts, adding a splash of broth or soy sauce to refresh the noodles.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw and pat the shrimp dry before adding them, so they cook evenly and don’t release excess water into the dish.
What noodles work best for Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies?
Traditional lo mein or thin egg noodles are ideal because they cook quickly, absorb the sauce well, and maintain a pleasant chew.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written due to soy sauce and noodles, but it’s easy to make gluten-free by using tamari sauce and gluten-free noodles like rice noodles.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply skip the shrimp and add extra vegetables or tofu for protein while keeping the same flavorful sauce.
How spicy is this recipe?
It’s mild by default, but you can easily add red pepper flakes or chili sauce for as much heat as you like.
Final Thoughts
Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies is a delightful, easy-to-make meal that brings bold flavors and vibrant nutrients to your table. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want a comforting dish without hours of prep. Give it a try, and you might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy shrimp and veggies together with every satisfying bite!
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Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A quick, flavorful, and wholesome Instant Pot Shrimp Lo Mein with Veggies recipe featuring tender shrimp, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles tossed in a savory, umami-rich sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot meal is nutritious, customizable, and ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Protein
- Medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1 lb)
Noodles
- Lo mein noodles (8 oz)
Vegetables
- Bell peppers, thinly sliced (1 cup)
- Carrots, thinly sliced (1 cup)
- Snap peas or snow peas (1 cup)
- Green onions, chopped (2-3 stalks)
Aromatics & Sauce
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves)
- Ginger, minced (1 tbsp)
- Soy sauce (1/4 cup)
- Sesame oil (1 tbsp)
- Chicken or vegetable broth (1 cup)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, 1/4 tsp or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Clean and devein the shrimp if needed. Slice the bell peppers and carrots into thin strips. Mince the garlic and ginger to release their aroma.
- Sauté Aromatics and Veggies: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Drizzle in sesame oil, then add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant. Add the bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas, stirring gently for 2 minutes to achieve a tender-crisp texture.
- Add Broth and Noodles: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and soy sauce. Evenly layer the lo mein noodles over the veggies without stirring; gently press the noodles down to submerge but avoid mixing to prevent sticking.
- Pressure Cook and Add Shrimp: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the valve. Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes. Use quick-release to release pressure immediately. Stir in the shrimp and let residual heat cook them through for about 4 minutes.
- Finish and Toss: Carefully toss all ingredients together. Adjust seasoning if needed with extra soy sauce or sesame oil. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and red pepper flakes for a final flavor boost.
Notes
- Use medium noodles like lo mein or egg noodles for the best texture.
- Add shrimp after pressure cooking to keep them tender and juicy.
- Layer noodles without stirring to prevent sticking and clumping.
- Utilize the Instant Pot sauté feature for fresh aromatics and crunchy veggies.
- Perform a quick pressure release to maintain veggie crispness and prevent overcooked noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, shrimp lo mein, easy dinner, shrimp recipe, quick meal, healthy recipe, one pot meal, Asian noodles, vegetables, weeknight dinner