Moo Shu-Style Vegetables (2024)

What Are Moo Shu-Style Vegetables?

Moo shu is an American-Chinese stir-fry that features chopped or thinly sliced vegetables, egg and sometimes a protein such as chicken, shrimp or pork. It's typically flavored with a hoisin-based sauce and served on a simple, flat pancake similar to a flour tortilla. In our version, we stick to just veggies and opt for pre-shredded mixed vegetables to cut down on prep time.

How to Make Moo Shu-Style Vegetables

We start by cooking the eggs first in a nonstick skillet. (You can also use a well-seasoned wok.) Next, we stir-fry the vegetables with garlic, ginger and scallions to build flavor along with reduced-sodium soy sauce and rice vinegar. The eggs are added back to the pan along with hoisin sauce which adds a sweet and savory flavor to the finished dish. Like all stir-fries, moo shu vegetables move fast once you start cooking so it's important to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.

How Do You Make Chinese-Style Pancakes?

They're easy! To make Chinese-style pancakes, mix 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup boiling water in a bowl until combined (the mixture will look shaggy). Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Divide into 12 equal portions; roll each portion into a ball. Cover with a damp kitchen towel. Working with one at a time, on a lightly floured surface and with a floured rolling pin, roll each ball into a 5- to 6-inch pancake. Cook in batches in a lightly oiled cast-iron skillet (or griddle) over medium heat until speckled with golden brown spots, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Keep warm in a foil package or wrapped in a clean towel. If you don't have time to make pancakes, use flour tortillas in their place.

Are Moo Shu-Style Vegetables Gluten-Free?

They can be. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use hoisin sauce that is labeled "gluten-free." Soy sauce may contain wheat or other gluten-containing sweeteners and flavors, so if you are avoiding gluten, use reduced-sodium tamari in place of soy sauce.

Additional reporting by Hilary Meyer

1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add eggs; cook, stirring gently, until set, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a plate.

   

2. Wipe out the pan and heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, 1 minute. Add shredded vegetables, bean sprouts, half the sliced scallions, soy sauce and vinegar. Stir to combine. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are just tender, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved eggs and hoisin; cook, uncovered, stirring and breaking up the scrambled eggs, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining scallions and remove from the heat.

   

Tip

Hoisin sauce is a dark brown, thick, spicy-sweet sauce made from soybeans and a complex mix of spices. Look for it in the Asian section of your supermarket and in Asian markets.