Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein: Quick & Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

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; 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce; 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Getting a flavorful dinner on the table takes just about 20 minutes with this Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together super fast – perfect for busy weeknights when you want a little kick without the hassle.

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 Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come home starving and just thrown together this Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe. It’s quick, packed with flavor, and that little spicy kick makes it stand out from typical takeout versions. You’ll love how effortlessly impressive it tastes!

Speedy and easy: Comes together in 20 minutes, making it a lifesaver on hectic nights.
Customizable heat: You control the spice level by adjusting those red pepper flakes.
Balanced flavors: The mix of soy and teriyaki sauces gives it that perfect salty-sweet combo.
Fresh and vibrant: Carrots and green onions add crunch and freshness, keeping every bite lively.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe plays a role, bringing together a harmony of flavors and textures. The noodles soak up the sauce, the shrimp bring that satisfying protein, and the veggies add brightness. Here’s why I love these staples and some shopping tips to keep it fuss-free.

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: They’re perfect for holding onto the sauce without becoming mushy; fresh or dried work fine here.
Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a mild, fruity base to sauté the shrimp and veggies without overpowering.
Carrot: Thin slices cook just enough to keep a little bite, adding natural sweetness and color.
Raw shrimp: Make sure they’re peeled and deveined for easy eating; they cook quickly and add that seafood goodness.
Minced garlic: The trusty flavor booster, it wakes up the dish with savory depth.
Low sodium soy sauce: Gives the salty umami backbone but lets you keep control over saltiness.
Teriyaki sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and a glossy finish that makes everything taste richer.
Green onions: Adds a fresh oniony note and crunch, plus looks great sprinkled on top.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): The spice that turns the heat dial up, but feel free to skip if you prefer mild.

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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 to tweak this Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe depending on my mood or what’s in the fridge — and I encourage you to do the same! It’s super flexible, so feel free to swap, add, or leave out ingredients to suit your taste.

Variation: When I’m craving extra veggies, I throw in snap peas or bell peppers – they add a great crunch and brighten the dish.
Spice level: Sometimes I double the crushed red pepper flakes when I want it fiery; other times, just a pinch keeps it gentle.
Protein swap: Not into shrimp? Try chicken strips or firm tofu instead for a different yet equally delicious version.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free noodles and tamari to make this recipe safe for gluten-free diets without losing flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy 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 Perfectly

Start by cooking your lo mein noodles according to the package directions. Don’t overcook them – you want them just tender but still a little firm because they’ll cook a bit more in the pan later. Drain them thoroughly so they don’t get soggy when mixed with the sauce.

Step 2: Sauté the Carrots and Shrimp

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Toss in the thinly sliced carrots and cook for about 2 minutes – just enough to soften them slightly while keeping crunch. Push them to one side, add the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, roughly 3 minutes. This layering helps everything cook evenly.

Step 3: Bring It All Together with Sauce

Stir the minced garlic into the skillet and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds to release that fragrant aroma. Pour in the low sodium soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, green onions, and crushed red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Toss the cooked noodles in and mix everything thoroughly. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the noodles have soaked up the sauce and all the flavors marry beautifully.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Remove from heat, sprinkle with a handful of fresh green onions for an extra pop of color and flavor, and serve immediately while it’s steaming hot. The contrast of the spicy, savory noodles with fresh green onion is just unbeatable.

Top Tip

Through many attempts to perfect this Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe, I’ve learned a few things that can really elevate your dish and save you some headaches. Here are my go-to tips for success.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: It’s tempting to throw everything in at once but cooking in batches ensures the shrimp gets that nice sear and the noodles don’t clump up.
Drain noodles well: Excess water dilutes your sauce, so give those noodles a good drain or even a quick rinse after cooking to stop residual heat from overcooking them.
Keep stirring: When adding the sauce and noodles, stir continuously so that everything heats evenly and the noodles absorb the flavors.
Use fresh garlic and green onions: They bring a brightness and depth that jarred or dried versions just can’t match.

How to Serve Spicy 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’m all about simplicity here — fresh chopped green onions sprinkled on top are my absolute favorite garnish. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll toss on some toasted sesame seeds for a nuttier edge and crunch. Both add that perfect finishing touch that makes the dish look and taste restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

This Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe shines best with light, fresh sides. I like pairing it with steamed bok choy or sautéed garlic green beans for extra veggies, or even a crisp cucumber salad to cool the palate. A simple miso soup also complements the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated this lo mein in individual bowls lined with a few fresh cilantro sprigs and thin slices of red chili to amp up the color and spice visually. You can also serve it in lettuce cups for a fun handheld twist that impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To keep the noodles from drying out, I add a tiny splash of water before reheating. It helps keep things saucy and moist.

Freezing

While I prefer fresh, you can freeze cooked lo mein, but shrimp textures change when frozen — they get a bit rubbery. If you want to freeze it, try cooking shrimp separately when reheating for best results.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce—this revives the noodles and keeps the shrimp tender. Microwaving works too but tends to dry out the dish slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture which can prevent proper searing.

How spicy is this Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe?

The spice level depends on how much crushed red pepper flakes you add. Start with a small amount if you’re sensitive to heat, and adjust to taste as you go.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the shrimp for tofu or tempeh and use vegetable-based sauces to keep it vegetarian and just as flavorful.

What type of noodles works best?

Traditional lo mein noodles are ideal because they have the right texture and soak up sauces nicely. If unavailable, spaghetti or thin egg noodles are good substitutes.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight rotation because it’s fast, flavorful, and just plain satisfying. I love how easy it is to jazz it up or dial it back depending on what you’re craving or what’s in your pantry. Give it a try — I promise it’ll become one of your quick dinners to turn to when time is tight but you still want something delicious and a little spicy.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way