Chop Suey

Chop suey is a colorful and flavorful Chinese American classic that can be prepared with ingredients you already have lying around. It’s a quick and easy stir fry perfect for a weeknight dinner.

By
Frank Tiu
Frank Tiu
Frank Tiu
Frank joined the food world as a full-time food video producer at BuzzFeed Tasty NY and is currently a contributor to Simply Recipes.
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Published March 16, 2023
Frank Tiu
Chop Suey in a Staub Wok With a Spatula on a Grey Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Chop suey, also known as chop sui, is a simple, flavorful, and colorful dish with a light gravy-like sauce. The dish is a smart and wonderful way to use any leftover fresh vegetables from previous recipes to make a whole new dinner. Steam a pot of rice while you stir fry and dinner is served in 20 minutes flat.

Even though this recipe has a long list of ingredients, don’t be intimidated. These are some suggested ingredients for inspiration—they add a pop of color and build layers of flavor, but you can customize this recipe to fit your taste and local availability. 

Chop suey is a quick and easy dish. The stir-fry is usually served with rice and I love drizzling a bit more gravy over top and watching the pearly-white jasmine rice soak up all the flavors.

What Is Chop Suey?

Chop suey is a beloved Chinese American dish that originated in the late 1800s when Chinese immigrants came to the United States to work on the transcontinental railroad. With the introduction of Chinese culinary techniques and flavors to the United States, Chinese food gained popularity, and chop suey became a favorite American dish. As Chinese immigrants have opened Chinese American restaurants across the United States, chop suey has evolved. This recipe is one of many variations.

The name "chop suey" means "miscellaneous pieces," referencing the variety of ingredients used. The dish is designed to use any available ingredients to prevent waste. While there are many variations of chop suey, the dish typically consists of one type of protein (usually either chicken or pork) with an assortment of stir-fried vegetables and a gravy-like sauce.

Platter of Chop Suey at a Table Setting With Chopsticks on Napkins and Bowls of Rice, All on a Grey Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Easy Variations on Chop Suey

Chop suey is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of vegetables and proteins. Substitute ingredients based on what you have available in your fridge or at local markets. Some good options for vegetables include broccoli florets, snow or snap peas, string beans, carrots, bell pepper, baby corn, and celery. For protein, try using strips of pork instead of chicken thighs.

For denser vegetables, cut them into smaller or thinner pieces, or cook them earlier in the process to ensure everything is cooked properly. For example, hardy vegetables such as carrots would take more time to cook than snow peas, but if the carrots are cut into thin coins or matchsticks, the two veggies will cook in a similar amount of time. 

When preparing protein, I would recommend cutting it into small pieces or strips—between 1 and 1 1/2 inches—to allow for proper cooking. The increase in surface area will also allow the seasonings and sauces to better infuse their flavors.

Adjusting the Sauce

For this recipe, the sauce consistency is just enough to coat all the vegetables without being too saucy. The cornstarch slurry (a small amount of cornstarch mixed with a small amount of water) thickens the gravy. 

Depending on your personal preference, adjust the amount of chicken broth and cornstarch slurry. For a saucier dish, add another 1/4 cup of chicken broth to the sauce and an additional teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon of water to the slurry.

Platter of Chop Suey at a Table Setting With a Bowl of Rice, a Teapot, and a Cup Filled With Tea, All on a Grey Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Chinese American Favorites

Chop Suey

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1/2 medium white onion, chopped

  • 2 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch coins

  • 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil

  • 8 to 10 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed

  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 4 ounces snow peas, trimmed

  • 2 green onions, sliced into 1 1/2-inch pieces

  • 3 ounces mung bean sprouts

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons water, to dissolve cornstarch

  • Salt, to taste

  • 3 cups steamed rice, for serving

Method

  1. Cook the chicken:

    Add the oil to a wok or a large, deep non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Heat the oil just until it starts to smoke, about 1 minute.

    Add the chicken thighs. Stir fry until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

    Chicken Cooking in a Wok on a Portable Burner, and Next to It, a Blue Kitchen Towel for Chop Suey Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Cooked Chicken in a Wok on a Portable Burner, and Next to It, a Blue Kitchen Towel for Chop Suey Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and seasonings:

    Add the onion, carrots, chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir fry over high heat for 5 minutes. The sauce should be bubbling.

    Onions and Carrots Added the Wok on a Portable Burner, and Next to It, a Blue Kitchen Towel for Chop Suey RecipeChop Suey

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  3. Add the mushrooms, pepper, and celery:

    Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and celery. Stir fry until the celery has softened to crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.

    Bell Peppers, Celery, and Shiitake Mushrooms Added to the Wok on a Portable Burner, and Next to It, a Blue Kitchen Towel for Chop Suey Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  4. Add the peas, green onions, and bean sprouts:

    Add the peas, green onions, and bean sprouts. Stir fry until well-mixed and heated through, about 2 minutes.

    Snow Peas, Mung Bean Sprouts, and Spring Onions in a Wok on a Portable Burner, and Next to It, a Blue Kitchen Towel for Chop Suey Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  5. Thicken the sauce:

    Add the cornstarch and water to a small bowl and stir to dissolve. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir fry until the sauce has thickened to your liking, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and add salt, if needed. Serve with rice.

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    Small Bowl With Cornstarch Slurry Above the Wok on the Portable Burner Next to a Blue Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Chop Suey in a Wok on a Portable Burner Next to a Blue Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Plate of Chop Suey With Rice Next to a Pair of Chopsticks on a Napkin and a Teapot, All on a Grey Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
353 Calories
19g Fat
18g Carbs
32g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 353
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 138mg 46%
Sodium 864mg 38%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 69mg 346%
Calcium 63mg 5%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 807mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.