Original Aussie Beef Chow Mein – A 1970’s Favourite
This is the original Aussie beef chow mein recipe from the 1970s — the one that appeared on the back of a packet of Continental Chicken Noodle Soup. It might not look like much, but it’s full of flavour, comforting, and surprisingly satisfying. Back then, it was considered a bit exotic — these days, it’s a nostalgic favourite. If you enjoy old-school Aussie meals, you might also like my mum’s famous Sausage Rolls — another tried-and-true classic.
Original Aussie Beef Chow Mein – Retro Recipe from the 70s
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
A classic Aussie dinner from the 1970s, made with mince, cabbage, and a packet of dried chicken noodle soup. This easy, budget-friendly meal was once considered exotic — and it's still just as comforting and tasty today.
Ingredients
- 500 grams minced steak 1.1 lb
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 large onion – diced
- 2 cloves garlic optional
- 3 stalks celery – finely diced
- 1-2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 packet dried chicken noodle soup mix or 2 teaspoons of chicken stock powder if gluten free
- 1 tin sliced beans (425grams) or 150grams fresh beans, sliced
- 2 cups water 500ml
- 1/4 cabbage shredded
Instructions
- Sauté onions in oil until soft over a medium low flame then add garlic, if using, and cook a further minute.
- Add minced beef and sauté until browned.
- Then add all other ingredients EXCEPT for the cabbage. Cover with a lid.
- Cook 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Add cabbage.
- Cook further 10 minutes.
- Serve with rice, or on hot buttered toast.
Video
Notes
- This is the original version of Aussie Chow Mein from the 1970s, made famous on the back of a packet of Chicken Continental Soup.
- You can swap the soup mix for 2 tsp of chicken stock powder + a small handful of vermicelli noodles.
- Great for weeknights, reheats well, and makes a hearty camping or budget meal.
