Last Updated on September 14, 2025 by Janell
Craving takeout food without the hassle? This Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein Recipe is a quick, flavorful dish that brings together tender pork, crisp vegetables, and saucy noodles in the best way. It’s one of those Quick Instant Pot Recipes that saves time while delivering big flavor.
Using your Instant Pot makes this a true one-pot wonder. It cuts down on cooking time while locking in the savory flavors you’d expect from your favorite Chinese dishes. If you’ve been searching for Instant Pot Dinner Ideas that are family-friendly, this is the recipe to add to your weekly rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Lo Mein
This dish checks all the boxes for Yummy Dinners. It’s fast, flexible, and loaded with flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to try out more Chinese cooking recipes at home without feeling overwhelmed.
- Easy pork dinner – You can use diced pork, ground pork, or even leftovers. This makes it one of the most practical Leftover Pork Chop Recipes you’ll ever try.
- Vegetable lo mein – Packed with baby bok choy, carrots, and peppers, it’s easy to turn this into a hearty stir-fried lo mein with vegetables if you omit the pork.
- Homemade Chinese food – Instead of ordering in, this is an easy Chinese recipe that gives you that authentic flavor right at home.
- Lo mein noodles easy – Spaghetti works perfectly here, and the Instant Pot makes them cook evenly every time.
A Twist on Classic Lo Mein
When it comes to lo mein recipes, this one is a keeper. The sauce—made from soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, and mirin—clings to every strand of noodle. It’s the kind of flavorful, slurp-worthy Chinese Lo Mein Recipe that tastes just like restaurant-style, only fresher.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make pork lo mein that’s quick and easy, this recipe will show you the way. Whether you’re using diced pork or making a ground pork lo mein, the result is always satisfying. It’s the kind of quick pork lo mein meal that belongs in your weeknight lineup of low main recipes.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead.
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes (Instant Pot), ~25 minutes total
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb center-cut pork, diced
- 2 cups water
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 lb baby bok choy, chopped
- 2 small carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon mirin
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the pork: Dice the pork and toss it with half of the dark soy sauce and the sesame oil. Set aside to marinate briefly while preparing the vegetables.
- Sear the pork: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté on high. Heat 1 tbsp of oil and cook the pork until golden brown. Remove the pork and set aside.
- Prep vegetables: Slice the onion, bell pepper, carrots, and bok choy. Mince the garlic and set everything aside.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour in the water and scrape the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits.
- Cook the noodles: Break spaghetti in half and layer it in a crisscross pattern over the water. Do not stir. Close the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Once done, perform a quick release and let the noodles rest in the pot for 4 minutes.
- Mix the sauce: Open the pot and stir in the remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin, and mirin until noodles are evenly coated.
- Add vegetables and pork: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté again, and fold in bok choy, bell pepper, carrots, onion, and seared pork. Cook 5–8 minutes, stirring often, until vegetables reach your preferred tenderness.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
Notes & Tips
- Vegetable swaps: Try snap peas, mushrooms, or broccoli to make your own version of stir-fried lo mein with vegetables.
- Pork alternatives: Swap pork with chicken, beef, or tofu. Still a great option for Chinese noodle recipes easy and quick.
- Make it spicy: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Meal prep: Perfect for busy nights when you want homemade Chinese food that reheats well.
Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? Check out this list of 33 Instant Pot Recipes!
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein recipe that’s easy, delicious, and packed with vegetables. Tender pork, perfectly cooked noodles, and a savory soy-hoisin sauce make this a quick weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb center-cut pork, diced
- 2 cups water
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 lb baby bok choy, chopped
- 2 small carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the pork: Dice the pork and toss it with half of the dark soy sauce and the sesame oil. Set aside to marinate briefly while preparing the vegetables.
- Sear the pork: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté on high. Heat 1 tbsp of oil and cook the pork until golden brown. Remove the pork and set aside.
- Prep vegetables: Slice the onion, bell pepper, carrots, and bok choy. Mince the garlic and set everything aside.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour in the water and scrape the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits.
- Cook the noodles: Break spaghetti in half and layer it in a crisscross pattern over the water. Do not stir. Close the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Once done, perform a quick release and let the noodles rest in the pot for 4 minutes.
- Mix the sauce: Open the pot and stir in the remaining dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hoisin, and mirin until noodles are evenly coated.
- Add vegetables and pork: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté again, and fold in bok choy, bell pepper, carrots, onion, and seared pork. Cook 5–8 minutes, stirring often, until vegetables reach your preferred tenderness.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Vegetable swaps: Feel free to add snap peas, mushrooms, or broccoli for variety.
- Pork alternatives: Chicken, beef, or tofu can easily replace pork if desired.
- Noodle tip: Layering spaghetti in a crisscross pattern prevents clumping and ensures even cooking.
- Make it spicy: Add a drizzle of sriracha sauce or sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick.
This recipe proves that Chinese cooking recipes don’t need to be complicated. This is a satisfying dish the whole family will love. Next time you’re craving takeout food, try this homemade lo mein instead—it’s one of the best easy Chinese recipes you’ll ever make!