Veggie Stir Fry Recipes
These Veggie Stir Fry recipes are even better than takeout! You still get all the same flavor as you'd find at your local Chinese restaurant but with less oil and calories.
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I'm a sucker for some good Chinese food or a delicious stir fry, but it doesn't always leave me feeling the best. So, I decided to make this list of easy and healthy veggie stir fry recipes that you can make right in your own kitchen!
From stir-fried snow peas to cabbage fried rice and stir-fried vegetables, there's no shortage of fresh finds in this list. They're easy to make, pair with any of your favorite main dishes, and don't contain any of the bad stuff. Read on to find your favorite veggie stir fry recipe to make asap.
Veggie Stir Fry Recipes
10 Minute Cabbage Stir Fry
Stir Fried Bok Choy
Asian Sautéed Broccolini
Stir Fried Vegetables (Works for Any Veggies!)
Asian Quinoa Stir Fry
Moo Shu Vegetable Stir Fry
Sauteed Snow Peas
Sesame Soy Edamame
Stir Fried Zucchini Noodles
Cabbage Fried Rice
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Main Dishes to Pair With These Recipes
Need a little extra? Serve these main dishes with these veggie stir fry recipes for a balanced meal:
- Chicken: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken, Chicken Stir Fry, or this easy Orange Chicken.
- Beef: Beef Stir Fry, Slow Cooker Korean Beef, or this tasty Sesame Beef.
- Pork: Moo Shu Pork, General Tso's Pork, or this flavor packed Asian Pork Tenderloin.
- Seafood: Shrimp Stir Fry, Easy Salmon Stir Fry, or this restaurant worthy Sesame Crusted Tuna.
- Tofu: Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Edamame, Kung Pao Tofu, or Asian Baked Tofu.
Top Tips for Making Stir-Fried Vegetables
- Fresh is best: Always go for fresh garlic and fresh ginger. Trust me, they bring so much more flavor than the powdered stuff, and your stir fry will thank you.
- Add edamame: Toss in some edamame for extra protein—plus, they give the dish a nice bite.
- Add crunch: Sesame seeds, peanuts, green onions, red onion, or cashews can elevate the texture and give your stir-fries a satisfying crunch!
- Save the sauce for the end: Keep the sauce till the end so the veggies stay crisp and the stir fry doesn’t get soggy.
- Mix and match: Feel free to mix and match any veggies you’ve got hanging around.
- Cornstarch is your friend: Cornstarch is your secret weapon to get crispy bits and thicken that sauce just right.
- Heat it up: Crank up the heat! The pan needs to be super hot for stir-fry perfection.
- Cook in batches: If the pan's crowded, cook in batches to avoid soggy, steamed meat.
- Prep is key: Prep all your ingredients first. Stir fries move fast, and you'll want everything ready to go.
- Use a wok or cast-iron pan: These tools hold heat better than non-stick pans. If you don't have either of these, you can pop everything onto a sheet pan, toss the veggies in stir fry sauce, and bake.
- Stir, stir, stir: Stir frequently so nothing gets stuck and burns—it's high heat, so keep it moving!
Four Easy Stir Fry Sauces
A stir fry isn't truly complete without a killer stir fry sauce to tie it all together. Here are four simple, homemade sauces you can whip up in no time—just toss them into a glass jar and store them in the fridge for easy access whenever you need a flavor boost.
- Classic: Combine 1/2 cup of low sodium soy sauce with 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1 tbsp cornstarch.
- Pineapple Hoisin: Combine 1/3 cup pineapple juice with 1/4 cup Hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tbsp minced ginger, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Sweet and Spicy: Combine 1/2 cup of low sodium soy sauce with 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Asian chili paste, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1 tbsp cornstarch.
- Peanut Sauce: Combine 1/2 cup of low sodium soy sauce with 1/4 cup of chicken broth, 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tbsp cornstarch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about making stir-fried veggies? Here are your answers:
How do you keep stir fry vegetables crispy?
To keep your veggies nice and crispy, avoid overcooking them. Heat your pan high, toss in the oil, and stir-fry quickly. You’ll get that crunchy texture with perfectly cooked veggies on the outside and tender on the inside.
How much oil should I use for stir fry?
You don’t need much oil for stir fry, just a small amount to coat the bottom of your pan. A couple of tablespoons will do the trick to keep everything from sticking while still getting that stir-fry crunch.
Which oil is best for stir fry?
Go for oils with a high smoke point like avocado, soybean, vegetable, or peanut oil. These oils will give you the best results under high heat. Olive oil works, too, but it has a lower smoke point. It's great for flavor, but keep an eye on the heat.
Do you add water to a stir fry?
If your veggies are cooking too fast or burning, add a splash of water to help them cook through without drying out. It helps to steam them just enough while keeping that crisp texture, especially for denser veggies.
Why does my stir fry taste bland?
If your stir fry is lacking flavor, chances are it's missing sauce or seasoning. Try adding a splash of soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos to bring out those savory flavors and really amp up the taste.
What do you cook first in a stir fry?
Start with veggies that take the longest to cook, like carrots or broccoli. Finish with quick-cooking veggies like snow peas or leafy greens to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Why is my stir fry soggy?
A soggy stir fry usually means your pan was too crowded, or you added the sauce too early. Make sure not to overstuff the pan and wait until the end to add the sauce. Also, fresh veggies are key—frozen ones release too much water and can turn your stir fry into a soggy mess.
How long do I cook the vegetables in a stir fry?
Most stir fry veggies cook in just a few minutes. Hearty vegetables will take around 4-5 minutes, and quick-cooking ones like greens only need about 2-3 minutes to stay crisp and tender.
More Recipes You'll Love
Looking for more delicious vegetable ideas? Try these next.