How Many Calories Are in Chinese Beef and Mushroom Dishes? A Complete Guide

Chinese beef and mushroom dishes are a tasty and popular choice at many Chinese restaurants. But with all the oil, sauces, noodles, and rice that often come in these dishes, you may be wondering just how many calories you’re taking in with each bite.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the typical calorie counts in common beef and mushroom menu items We’ll also give tips on how to lighten up these restaurant favorites and make healthier versions at home.

Calories in Popular Chinese Restaurant Versions

When ordering beef and mushrooms from your local Chinese takeout joint or sit-down eatery, the calorie count can vary widely depending on how it’s prepared and portion sizes. Here’s what to expect

Beef and Mushrooms with Broccoli

Calories: 600-800 per serving

This veggie-heavy stir fry uses less oil and often skips the rice or noodles. The beef and veggies alone clock in around 300 calories, the sauce adds 100-200 more, and a side of brown rice can tally another 200 calories.

Beef and Mushroom Lo Mein

Calories: 800-1,200 per serving

The lo mein noodles in this dish add extra carbs and calories. The noodles alone pack 300-500 calories. Then the beef and veggies contribute around 300 calories, plus the sauce.

Beef and Mushroom Fried Rice

Calories: 900-1,500 per serving

Fried rice is one of the highest calorie options at a Chinese restaurant. A single serving can easily top 1,000 calories thanks to all the oil used for frying, along with the calories from rice, beef, veggies, and sauce.

Beef and Mushroom Soup

Calories: 200-400 per cup

The broth keeps calories in check for this lighter soup option. Watch out for versions with lots of oil or thickened with corn starch, which can ramp up calories.

As you can see, calories range wildly from 200 to 1,500 per serving depending on preparation methods. Choosing veggie-loaded stir fries like beef with broccoli will help limit calories, while fried rice and noodles max out your intake.

Homemade Versions for More Calorie Control

Cooking up beef and mushrooms yourself at home makes it easy to control calories and fat content. Here’s the typical calorie breakdown for a homemade stir-fry with 6 oz raw beef, 1 cup mushrooms, 1 cup broccoli, and 2 Tbsp sauce:

• Beef (6 oz, lean cuts): 300 calories
• Mushrooms (1 cup, raw): 20 calories
• Broccoli (1 cup, chopped): 50 calories
• Oil for cooking (1 tsp): 40 calories
• Sauce (2 Tbsp): 50 calories

Total Calories: Around 460 calories per serving

This assumes you’re using lean beef, minimal cooking oil, and limiting sauce portions. Double check calorie counts on packaged sauces, as they can range from 50-150+ calories per serving.

You can further drop calories by:

• Using more veggies instead of beef – swap half the beef for mushrooms, onions, etc
• Skipping the noodles or rice – these starchy sides can add 200-500 more calories
• Minimizing oil – use nonstick pans and sprays to cut back
• Choosing lighter sauces – opt for low-sodium soy instead of heavy sauces

Tips for Lightening Up Beef and Mushroom Dishes

Here are more ways to enjoy the tasty beef and mushroom combo while still keeping calories in check:

• Load up on low cal veggies like mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, etc
• Opt for lean beef cuts like flank steak, sirloin tip, 93% lean ground beef
• Swap beef for lower calorie chicken breast or tofu
• Skip the noodles and rice or limit to 1/2 cup portions
• Use less oil and ask for sauce on the side
• Choose steamed or boiled dishes instead of fried
• Split a dish or take half home to control portions
• Make healthy versions at home where you control ingredients

Healthy Beef and Mushroom Stir-Fry Recipe (Under 500 Calories)

Here’s a delicious lower calorie version of this classic you can easily whip up at home for under 500 calories per serving:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb sirloin steak, thinly sliced
• 3 cups mushrooms (shiitake, button, etc), sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook 2-3 minutes until no longer pink. Set aside.

2. Add mushrooms, broccoli, onion and garlic. Cook 5 minutes until tender.

3. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic and red pepper flakes.

4. Add sauce mixture to pan and cook 2 minutes until thickened.

5. Add beef back to pan and toss to coat.

6. Serve over cauliflower rice or broccoli slaw if desired. Garnish with green onions.

This version uses lean beef, loads up on mushrooms and broccoli, and avoids noodles and rice to keep calories under 500 per serving. Use similar healthy swaps and smart cooking methods to lighten up all your favorite takeout dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories in beef and mushroom Chinese takeout?

There are around 1,107 calories in a typical beef and mushroom Chinese takeout meal serving. Calorie counts can vary widely depending on the restaurant and preparation methods.

What’s the calorie count for Chinese beef and vegetables?

Chinese beef and vegetables dishes prepared with broccoli, carrots etc. rather than noodles or rice tend to have around 600-800 calories per serving.

How many calories in Chinese chicken and mushroom?

A serving of Chinese chicken and mushrooms contains approximately 390 calories. The lower calorie chicken and lack of rice or noodles keeps calories in check.

What are the calories in beef and mushroom stroganoff?

Beef stroganoff with mushrooms clocks in around 423 calories per serving. Using lean beef cuts and limiting oil helps keep calories down.

How many calories in a homemade Chinese beef and mushroom stir fry?

A homemade stir-fry with 6oz lean beef, mushrooms, broccoli and 2 Tbsp sauce has around 460 calories per serving. Leaving out rice and noodles avoids excess calories.

The Bottom Line

Beef and mushroom dishes from Chinese restaurants or takeout can range from 200 to over 1,500 calories depending on preparation methods. Choosing veggie-loaded options, skipping fried rice and noodles, and making lighter versions at home are smart ways to enjoy the flavor while limiting calorie intake. Use the tips in this guide to make your favorite Chinese food favorites healthier.