Quick Answer
Yes, you can freeze Chinese lo mein noodles. Lo mein noodles tend to freeze well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When freezing lo mein noodles, it is best to freeze them uncooked and without any sauce. Cook the noodles until just shy of al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, allow to dry completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheating frozen lo mein noodles is quick and easy – just drop them into boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute until warmed through before using in your dish.
Storing Lo Mein Noodles in the Freezer
When freezing lo mein noodles:
- Cook noodles until just shy of done (al dente). Lo mein noodles cook very quickly, so be careful not to overcook.
- Drain and rinse noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Allow noodles to dry completely before freezing. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray and allow to air dry for 1-2 hours.
- Portion noodles into freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible. Avoid freezing noodles in large clumps.
- Store lo mein noodles in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freezing the noodles plain, without any sauce or oil, prevents them from getting soggy or mushy in the freezer. The quick flash freeze in a single layer prevents large clumps from forming. Well-frozen lo mein noodles should remain nice and separated for easy portioning when ready to use.
Why Freeze Lo Mein Noodles Plain
Freezing lo mein noodles plain, without sauce, vegetables, protein etc allows you to:
- Avoid a soggy, frozen mass of noodles
- Portion noodles out easily
- Add different sauces or ingredients each time
- Adapt to using noodles in various dishes
- Prevent noodles from turning mushy in the freezer
If you freeze a whole bowl or plate of lo mein, the noodles will be coated in sauce and the dish will freeze into a solid block. Thawing and recooking this can lead to mushy noodles. Keeping them plain allows versatility in cooking.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Lo Mein Noodles
Thawing frozen lo mein noodles is quick and easy:
- Place frozen noodles into a colander or strainer and run under cool water just until thawed, about 1-2 minutes.
- For a quick thaw, drop noodles into a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds up to 1 minute just until warmed through.
- Drain noodles well.
- Use thawed lo mein noodles in your desired recipe – they will cook up just like fresh.
The boiling water brings the frozen noodles up to temperature rapidly for a quick thaw. Do not overcook. Thawed lo mein noodles can go right into a hot pan or wok and cook up in any recipe just like unfrozen noodles would.
What Noodles Work Best for Freezing?
The best noodles for freezing include:
- Fresh lo mein noodles
- Fresh ramen noodles
- Fresh udon noodles
- Fresh egg noodles
- Rice noodles
Noodles that tend to freeze well:
- Are fresh or homemade, not dried
- Do not contain eggs (egg noodles are an exception)
- Are straight noodles rather than coiled shapes like fusilli
- Are thinner noodles rather than thick pasta shapes
Thick pasta noodles or shapes do not freeze as well because the insides can remain frozen and undercooked after thawing. Straight, thin fresh noodles thaw and reheat evenly for the best results.
Noodles to Avoid Freezing
Avoid freezing these types of noodles:
- Dried noodles like ramen or chow mein
- Fresh pasta like fettuccine or gnocchi
- Italian pasta like penne, rotini or farfalle
- Stuffed pasta like ravioli or tortellini
- Non-Asian wheat noodles like lasagna noodles
These types of noodles tend to become soggy, mushy, or fall apart when frozen and reheated. The texture changes unfavorably compared to fresh.
How to Freeze Lo Mein or Other Noodle Dishes
While best to freeze lo mein noodles plain, you can freeze a full noodle dish by:
- Cooking noodles just until done, drain and rinse under cold water.
- Mixing noodles in dish with sauce and other ingredients.
- Portioning noodle dish into shallow airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Flatten to about 1 inch thickness.
- Cool quickly in fridge before transferring to freezer.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
When reheating a frozen noodle dish:
- Thaw in fridge overnight.
- Microwave on Medium, stirring every minute, until hot throughout.
- Or, place frozen block in skillet with small amount of water or sauce. Cover and cook on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until thawed and heated through.
- Add extra sauce or water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Reheating gently and adding extra liquid prevents the dish from drying out or noodles overcooking.
Sample Freezer Lo Mein Recipes
| Lo Mein Recipe | Ingredients | Freeze Method |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Lo Mein | Noodles, chicken, veggies, lo mein sauce | Flat in bags or containers |
| Shrimp Lo Mein | Noodles, shrimp, snow peas, sauce | Portion into bags |
| Vegetable Lo Mein | Noodles, mixed veggies, tofu, sauce | Spread flat in containers |
| Beef Lo Mein | Noodles, flank steak, sauce | Flatten in freezer bags |
Any lo mein can be frozen for quick meals later. Portion into individual servings before freezing. Flatten to about 1 inch thickness for best freezing.
Can You Freeze Leftover Takeout Lo Mein?
Leftover takeout lo mein can be frozen with decent results by:
- Letting it cool completely in the fridge first.
- Portioning into shallow, freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Removing as much air as possible.
- Freezing for up to 2 months.
The noodles may become a bit mushy compared to homemade when reheating takeout lo mein. But freezing leftovers allows you to enjoy the dish again later.
Reheat frozen takeout lo mein in the microwave, stirring often, or in a skillet over medium-low, adding extra liquid as needed.
Tips for Freezing Leftover Takeout Noodles
For best results freezing leftover noodles:
- Let cool before freezing – do not freeze piping hot.
- Divide into small portions rather than freeze the whole container.
- Use shallow containers and flatten out the noodles.
- Wrap tightly or remove air to prevent freezer burn.
- Use within 2 months for optimal texture and flavor.
- Thaw and reheat gently – add extra sauce or broth as needed.
Proper cooling, storage, and reheating helps maximize the shelf life and prevent noodles from drying out or becoming overly mushy.
Conclusion
Freezing lo mein and other noodles is simple and allows you to enjoy convenient, quick meals for up to 3 months. For best results, cook noodles until just done, rinse, let dry, and freeze plain. Thaw in cool water or drop into boiling water briefly before using in recipes. Portioning cooked noodle dishes flat in freezer bags or containers makes for easy reheating later on. With some care in preparation and storage, frozen lo mein noodles reheat beautifully.