Canned chow mein noodles are a popular pantry staple that can be used in a variety of dishes. But an important question many people have is – are the noodles already cooked inside the can, or do they need to be prepared before eating?
The short answer is yes, canned chow mein noodles are fully cooked and ready to eat straight from the can. However, there are some caveats to keep in mind regarding the texture and quality of canned noodles versus freshly made.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at:
- How canned chow mein noodles are made
- Are the noodles already cooked inside the can?
- How the texture compares to fresh noodles
- Tips for preparing canned chow mein noodles
- Recipes and serving suggestions
Understanding the process of how these convenient canned noodles are produced and what to expect in terms of taste and texture will help you make the most of this versatile pantry staple.
How Canned Chow Mein Noodles Are Made
Canned chow mein noodles go through a specific manufacturing process that results in fully cooked noodles ready to eat directly from the can. Here are the general steps:
- Wheat flour dough is first extruded through a die cutter to form long noodle strands.
- The fresh noodles are partially steamed to cook them.
- The partially cooked noodles are then fried in oil to dehydrate them and add flavor.
- Next, the noodles are cooled and cut into shorter pieces to fit neatly into the cans.
- Finally, the cooked noodles are packed into cans along with a small amount of water or oil and sealed.
This combination of steaming, frying, and canning results in noodles that are shelf-stable at room temperature and ready to eat once opened.
Key Points
- Canned chow mein noodles go through a cooking process including steaming, frying, and canning.
- This process creates noodles that are fully cooked and shelf-stable inside the sealed cans.
- The cooking occurs before the noodles are packaged into the cans.
Knowing that canned noodles are pre-cooked and simply reheated is helpful for understanding how best to prepare them.
Are The Noodles Already Cooked Inside the Can?
Since the noodles are steamed, fried, and sealed into the cans cooked, this means the noodles inside a can of chow mein are already fully cooked.
It’s not necessary to boil or cook canned chow mein noodles on the stove – they are ready to eat straight from the can with just a quick reheating.
However, while technically cooked, the texture straight from the can may be a bit crunchy or dried out compared to freshly prepared noodles.
Key Points
- Yes, canned chow mein noodles are pre-cooked before canning.
- The noodles are edible straight from the can without further cooking.
- However, the texture may be drier and crunchier than fresh noodles.
So while it’s not essential, some additional steps can help improve the taste and texture of canned noodles.
How The Texture Compares to Fresh Noodles
There are some key differences between the texture of canned chow mein noodles and fresh or homemade chow mein:
Canned Noodle Texture
- Canned noodles tend to be drier and crunchier.
- The noodles have been fried, losing moisture.
- Canning process further dries them out.
- May have a salty or oily flavor from frying.
- Noodles lack the bounce and chew of properly cooked fresh pasta.
Fresh Noodle Texture
- Fresh chow mein is smooth, bouncy, and chewy when cooked properly.
- It has a soft but toothsome texture.
- The noodles readily absorb sauces and seasonings.
- Fresh noodles have a clean, neutral wheat flour taste.
The drying and canning process gives canned chow mein noodles a more brittle, crunchy and dried out texture compared to soft, chewy fresh noodles. The flavor may also be more oily and salty.
Key Points
- Canned chow mein has a drier, crunchier texture vs. the chewy texture of fresh noodles.
- Canning process removes moisture, resulting in degraded texture.
- Frying gives a salty, oily flavor.
- Fresh chow mein has a smooth, bouncy texture and neutral flavor.
Preparing the canned noodles properly can help reduce the overly dry texture.
Tips for Preparing Canned Chow Mein Noodles
Here are some tips for working with canned chow mein noodles:
Rehydrating
- Soak noodles briefly in hot water for 1-2 minutes to rehydrate.
- Drain excess liquid before adding to dishes.
Rinsing
- Rinse under hot water to remove excess oil.
- Shake off excess water before adding to recipes.
Sautéing
- Sauté noodles over high heat with oil and aromatics.
- Helps drive off any soggy texture.
Adding to Sauces
- Add pre-softened noodles to flavorful sauces.
- Allows noodles to absorb moisture and flavors.
Key Points
- Soak in hot water briefly to rehydrate.
- Rinse to remove excess oil.
- Sauté to reduce sogginess.
- Combine with sauces to boost moisture and flavor.
Using one or more of these methods can greatly improve the flavor, texture, and appearance of canned chow mein noodles.
Recipes and Serving Suggestions
Canned chow mein noodles are extremely versatile. Here are some recipe ideas and serving suggestions:
As a base for stir-fries
- Stir-fry softened canned noodles with meat and vegetables.
- Combine with a sauce such as oyster sauce or soy ginger sauce.
In soups
- Add to chicken noodle or egg drop soup.
- Use in place of ramen noodles.
In salads or cold dishes
- Toss with sesame dressing for an Asian noodle salad.
- Combine with shredded chicken, nuts and herbs.
As a snack
- Sprinkle with seasoning blends like ranch or pizza flavoring.
In casseroles
- Use in tuna or chicken casserole in place of egg noodles.
In fried rice
- Stir noodles into fried rice for added texture.
Key Points
- Great for stir-fries, soups, salads, snacks, casseroles, fried rice.
- Soften first in water, sauce, or by sautéing.
- Season or sauce to boost flavor.
- Endless possibilities for everyday meals!
Canned chow mein noodles are budget-friendly and adaptable to just about any cuisine. With the right preparation method, they can work well in many dishes.
Conclusion
To summarize, canned chow mein noodles are pre-cooked through a process of steaming, frying, and canning before packaging. This cooking process means they are fully edible straight from the can, though they may have a drier, crunchier texture compared to fresh noodles.
With just a brief rehydrating or rinsing, canned chow mein noodles can greatly improve in texture. Combining them with sauces is also beneficial. These versatile noodles can be used in a wide variety of dishes both hot and cold.
While they don’t fully replicate the taste and texture of homemade noodles, canned chow mein offers convenience and flexibility at a budget-friendly price point. With the proper preparation and seasoning, they can be an easy pantry staple for quick meals.