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Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Whip up this Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein for a quick, savory meal featuring tender pork, vegetables, and noodles. Perfectly seasoned, it’s a delightful weeknight dinner.

Two black bowls of vegetable lo mein with chopsticks rest on a white table, accompanied by a green cloth, hinting at the possibility of adding savory pork for an extra twist.

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein has become one of my favorite reliable meals when I’m craving something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot does most of the work, turning simple ingredients into a dish that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant.

The pork soaks up all the bold flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and spices, making every bite tender and flavorful with depth. The noodles cook up perfectly, soaking in just the right amount of sauce, while the veggies add a fresh crunch that keeps things interesting. I’ve tried mixing it up with bell peppers, mushrooms, or even bok choy, and it never disappoints.

Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a quick fix for a takeout craving, this dish delivers big flavors with minimal effort.

A bowl of Pork Lo Mein with vibrant vegetables and tender slices of meat, all garnished with sesame seeds. A hand deftly using chopsticks, savoring the delightful flavors. An Instant Pot in the background promises more culinary adventures to come.

Why you’ll love Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

  • Quick and Easy! With minimal prep and just a few ingredients, this Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein comes together effortlessly.
  • Perfect for Busy Nights! Ready in no time, this flavorful dish makes weeknight dinners a breeze without sacrificing taste.
  • Packed with Flavor! Tender pork, savory sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles create a satisfying, mouthwatering meal in every bite.
  • Customizable to Your Taste! Add in your favorite veggies, adjust seasonings, and make it your own for endless variations.
A bowl of Lo Mein stir-fried noodles with beef, carrot slices, bell peppers, greens, and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti 
  • Pork 
  • Water 
  • Red Bell pepper, carrots, yellow onion and garlic
  • Baby Bok choy
  • Dark and Light soy sauce
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Mirin 
  • Oil of your choice (vegetable oil, canola oil)
  • Salt, pepper and sesame seeds, optional

Variations

I’ve made this dish plenty of times, and even the smallest tweaks can completely change the flavor.

  • Chicken/ Shrimp. I’ve used chicken and shrimp instead of pork, and both taste deliciously. If you want a deeper flavor, marinate the meat in a little soy sauce and mirin before cooking.
  • Noodles. I’ve tried swapping spaghetti for udon and it brings a slightly different texture. But it soaks up the sauce just right, not soggy nor dry.
  • Vegetarian. Instead of pork, I’ve thrown in shiitake mushrooms, snap peas and even cabbage that I had on-hand. Bok choy is a staple of the dish, but switching it up with greens makes it more exciting, especially for meat-free versions.
Ingredients for an Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein are artfully arranged on a white surface: spaghetti, bok choy, red pepper, carrots, onion, garlic, and pork slices with an array of sauces on a wooden board and surrounding plates.

How to cook Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

  1. Wash your produce and dice the pork. Marinate with half of the dark soy sauce and sesame oil.
  2. Turn on the Sauté setting in the Instant Pot, heat oil, and brown the pork. Remove and set aside.
  3. Slice onions, Bok choy, carrots, and red bell pepper, and mince garlic. Set aside.
  4. Sauté minced garlic in the pot until golden brown (about 30 seconds).
  5. Add water to deglaze the pot and scrape the bottom clean.
  6. Break spaghetti in half, create a crisscross pattern, and push it under the liquid without stirring.
  7. Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes, release pressure naturally, then stir in sauces and sauté with vegetables and pork for 5-8 minutes.
  8. Garnish and enjoy!

Cooking Time and Temperature

The cooking time and temperature for Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein are designed to give you a quick, flavorful meal.

  • Temperature: Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for the cooking process. For sautéing, set to the high sauté setting.
  • Prep Time: 10-15 minutes for chopping vegetables and marinating the pork.
  • Cook Time: Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Sauté the noodles and vegetables for 5-8 minutes to your desired crispness.
A bowl of stir-fried Lo Mein brimming with vegetables and beef, while a hand with chopsticks is ready to snatch a noodle. A green cloth napkin subtly frames this appetizing scene.

What to serve with Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein pairs well with sides that balance its rich, savory flavors. Crispy egg rolls add crunch, while an Asian-inspired salad with sesame or ginger dressing brings a fresh contrast. Steamed dumplings or pickled veggies like cucumbers and carrots enhance the meal, and fried rice makes it extra satisfying.

For dessert, try Ninja Creami Keto Coconut Protein Ice Cream, mango sticky rice, or warm sesame balls for a sweet finish. Green or jasmine tea provides a fragrant balance, while bubble tea adds a fun twist. For a refreshing option, a Cranberry Lime Mocktail offers a crisp, tart contrast.

Two bowls of Lo Mein with vibrant vegetables and tofu sit on a white wooden surface. Chopsticks rest elegantly on one bowl, while a green cloth is draped nearby, adding a touch of color to the scene.

How to store

To store Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the dish for up to 2-3 months, though the texture of the noodles may change slightly upon reheating.

How to Reheat

To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

Alternatively, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent the noodles from drying out. Stir occasionally until it’s heated through.

A savory bowl of lo mein featuring stir-fried noodles with vibrant vegetables and sliced pork sausage, garnished with sesame seeds. Chopsticks rest on the side, ready for you to dive into this delightful dish.

Learn From Us

Making Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein isn’t just about following steps, it’s about understanding how flavors come together and how small techniques make a big difference.

  • Marinating the pork with dark soy sauce and sesame oil before cooking isn’t just an extra step, it’s what gives the meat that deep rich flavor. Browning it first locks in juices and creates those savory bits at the bottom of the pot that melt into the sauce.
  • Add the vegetables last so they stay crisp and vibrant, rather than turning mushy. A quick sauté after pressure cooking brings everything together, letting the flavors stand out without overcooking the ingredients.

Try these easy recipes and spice up your holidays:

Give this Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein a try and let me know how it turned out! Did you follow the recipe as is or add your own spin? Share your experience in the comments. I’ll be glad to learn from you as well.

Close-up of a bowl of stir-fried lo mein with vegetables and pork, garnished with sesame seeds. Chopsticks rest on the edge of the black bowl.

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Whip up this Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein for a quick, savory meal featuring tender pork, vegetables, and noodles. Perfectly seasoned, it's a delightful weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 instant pot

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Oz spaghetti
  • 1 lbs. center pork
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 red Bell pepper
  • 1 lbs. baby Bok choy
  • 2 small carrots
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp Sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp Mirin
  • Oil of your choice vegetable oil, canola oil
  • Salt optional
  • Pepper optional
  • Sesame seeds optional

Instructions
 

  • Start by washing your produce.
  • Cut the pork in small dice and marinate with half of the dark soy sauce and sesame oil and mix until well combined.
  • Turn on the Sauté setting on high on the Instant Pot. Add 1 tbsp of oil of your choice and let the oil get hot. Add the pork to the pot and let it sauté until it’s golden brown on the outside. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
  • Slice your onions, Bok choy, carrots and red bell pepper and mince your garlic. Set aside.
  • Add the minced garlic to the instant pot and let it get golden-brown for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the water to the instant pot and deglaze the bottom by scraping it clean with a spatula.
  • Break the spaghetti in half and put them down in a crisscross pattern. This will help prevent sticking to each other. Do not stir the noodles after you’ve created the pattern. Gently push the spaghetti down, so it is under the liquid.
  • Close the Instant Pot with the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
  • Once the 4 minutes have passed, immediately release the natural pressure release valve, and let it rest for an additional 4 minutes.
  • After those 4 minutes, open the pot and stir the noodles around. Add the remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, mirin to the noodles and stir until combined well.
  • Then turn on the sauté setting on high and add the sliced Bok choy, red bell pepper, onions, carrots, and pork to the pot and stir often for about 5-8 minutes. (Depending on how crispy you like your vegetables.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds, and season to your liking.
  • Enjoy while hot!
Keyword Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein at home, Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein recipe, quick and easy Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

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A bowl of Instant Pot pork lo mein with noodles, vegetables, and sesame seeds. A hand holding chopsticks is picking up the noodles.

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