Sizzling Chop Suey Recipe: A Homestyle Asian Delight

Stir-frying a delectable chop suey recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Chinese-American cuisine right to your kitchen.

This classic dish blends crisp vegetables with tender meat in a savory sauce that dances across your taste buds.

Originating from Chinese immigrants in California, chop suey became a beloved staple in American restaurants during the early 20th century.

Home cooks can easily recreate this delightful mix of textures and flavors with simple ingredients found in most pantries.

The combination of protein, vegetables, and a silky sauce makes this meal both nutritious and incredibly satisfying.

Each bite tells a story of culinary creativity and cultural fusion.

You’ll love how quickly this one-pan wonder comes together for a delicious weeknight dinner that never disappoints.

Why Chop Suey Remains a Dinner Classic

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• Flavor Explosion in Every Slice: Combines rich coffee notes with creamy Kahlua undertones, delivering a complex and indulgent taste experience that satisfies sophisticated dessert lovers.

Ingredients Needed For Homemade Chop Suey

• Chicken, Beef, or Shrimp: Tender protein that provides the main source of protein in the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Rich and savory condiments that add depth of flavor to the dish.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy coating.
• Sugar: Balances the salty and umami flavors in the sauce.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Provides additional liquid and enhances the overall taste.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty and aromatic flavor to the sauce.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds a flavorful foundation for the dish.
• Carrots, Celery, Cabbage: Crunchy vegetables that add texture and nutritional value.
• Bean Sprouts, Bell Peppers, Mushrooms: Fresh ingredients that bring additional flavor and color to the chop suey.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for stir-frying and preventing ingredients from sticking to the wok.

• Steamed White Rice or Noodles: Traditional accompaniment that complements the stir-fry.

How To Build A Flavorful Chop Suey Dish

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Booster

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Cornstarch
• Sugar
• Chicken or vegetable broth
• Sesame oil

Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Sizzle the Protein

Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in your chosen protein (chicken, beef, or shrimp) and stir-fry until fully cooked and golden. Transfer the protein to a separate plate.

Step 3: Dance with the Vegetables

Add another splash of oil to the wok. Toss in onions and garlic, letting them become fragrant.

• Carrots
• Celery
• Cabbage

• Bean sprouts
• Bell peppers
• Mushrooms

Continue cooking for a few more minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Step 4: Marry the Ingredients

Bring the cooked protein back to the wok. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and gently toss to coat.

Let everything simmer and mingle, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and clings to the ingredients.

Step 5: Serve with Excitement

Transfer the chop suey to a serving plate.

Accompany with steamed white rice or noodles for a complete meal that bursts with flavor and texture.

Notes and Reminders When Cooking Chop Suey

• Mix sauce ingredients before cooking to blend flavors and allow cornstarch to dissolve completely, ensuring a smoother, more consistent texture.
• Stir-fry vegetables in order of cooking time, starting with harder veggies like carrots and ending with delicate bean sprouts to maintain perfect crisp-tender texture.
• Pat protein dry before cooking to achieve better browning and prevent steaming, which helps develop deeper, richer flavor in the stir-fry.
• Adjust sauce seasoning based on sodium content of soy sauce and broth to prevent an overly salty final dish, tasting and tweaking as you cook.
• Use a blazing hot wok or skillet and cook ingredients quickly to preserve nutrients, color, and maintain vegetables' vibrant crispness.

Try These Mix-Ins With Chop Suey Recipe

• Vegetarian Chop Suey: Replace chicken, beef, or shrimp with tofu, tempeh, or seitan. Press and cube tofu for a protein-packed alternative that absorbs the savory sauce perfectly.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. This option reduces carbohydrates while maintaining the classic chop suey flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free. Verify cornstarch is certified gluten-free for a safe celiac-friendly meal.

What To Eat With Classic Chop Suey Dishes

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Light, slightly sweet German white wine cuts through the savory chop suey, balancing its rich umami flavors and complementing the vegetable textures.
• Enhance with Jasmine Rice: Soft, fragrant jasmine rice absorbs the sauce perfectly, providing a gentle backdrop that elevates each bite of the stir-fry without overpowering its complex flavors.
• Match with Tsingtao Beer: Crisp Chinese lager offers a refreshing counterpoint to the dish's salty and slightly spicy profile, cleansing the palate between mouthfuls of protein and vegetables.
• Recommend Sparkling Green Tea: Chilled, slightly effervescent green tea provides a clean, subtle backdrop that highlights the fresh vegetable notes and helps digest the protein-rich meal.

Chop Suey: Keeping Leftovers Fresh At Home

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping the chop suey separate from rice to prevent sogginess.
• Transfer cooled chop suey to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Warm chop suey in a skillet over medium heat. Add small splash of broth or water to prevent drying. Stir frequently for 3-4 minutes until heated thoroughly. Serve immediately after reheating.

FAQs

• What is the origin of Chop Suey?

The dish originated in Chinese-American cuisine, likely created by Chinese immigrants in the United States during the late 19th century, adapting traditional cooking techniques to local ingredients.

• Is Chop Suey considered authentic Chinese food?

No, it’s not a traditional Chinese dish but a Chinese-American creation that became popular in the United States as a way to introduce Chinese-style cooking to American diners.

• Can I make Chop Suey vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the meat and use tofu or additional vegetables as your protein source. The sauce and stir-fry method remain the same.

• What makes the sauce in Chop Suey unique?

The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil creates a rich, savory flavor profile that gives the dish its distinctive taste and depth.

Chop Suey Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Chinese-American Chop Suey delights with its medley of crisp vegetables and tender meat, simmered in a rich, glossy sauce. Comfort meets culture in this classic dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound chicken breast, beef, or shrimp (thinly sliced)

Vegetables:

• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1 cup bok choy or napa cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, sliced (optional)
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sugar, broth, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl to create a smooth, glossy sauce mixture. Reserve for later use.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add protein (chicken, beef, or shrimp) and rapidly stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until fully cooked and lightly caramelized. Transfer protein to a separate plate.
3. In the same wok, introduce additional oil and quickly sauté onions and garlic until aromatic, approximately 45-60 seconds. Introduce harder vegetables like carrots, celery, and cabbage, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes to achieve slight tenderness.
4. Incorporate bean sprouts, bell peppers, and mushrooms into the vegetable mixture, continuing to stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes to maintain crisp texture and vibrant colors.
5. Reintroduce the cooked protein to the vegetable medley. Pour prepared sauce over the entire mixture, thoroughly coating all ingredients while stirring continuously.
6. Simmer the combined ingredients for 2-3 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and glaze the protein and vegetables evenly.
7. Remove from heat immediately and serve piping hot atop steamed white rice or noodles for a complete, flavorful meal.

Notes

• Use high heat for quick, crisp vegetable stir-frying to maintain vibrant colors and prevent soggy texture.
• Prep all ingredients beforehand to ensure smooth, fast cooking process since stir-frying happens rapidly.
• Customize protein options like tofu for vegetarian version or swap vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference.
• Control sauce thickness by adjusting cornstarch quantity – less for thinner sauce, more for thicker coating on ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg