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Delightful Vegetable Stir Fry

Featured in Tasty Vegetarian Meals Made Simple.

Eight different fresh veggies come together in this colorful stir fry, all tossed in an awesome Asian-style sauce. We're talking mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, and a bunch more, all cooked quickly so they stay nice and crisp. The sauce is a blend of garlic and ginger, a little sweet from brown sugar, and thickened up with cornstarch so it really sticks to the veggies. Sesame oil gives it a final flavor boost. It is all done in 15 minutes, you can make this as a vegetarian meal or add any protein.
Emily Watson
Updated on Fri, 14 Feb 2025 23:27:31 GMT
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Quick Vegetable Stir Fry Pin it
Quick Vegetable Stir Fry | thefamilycooks.com

Master the art of homemade stir-fry with this foolproof technique. Fresh vegetables and a perfectly balanced sauce come together in a dish that's both satisfying and nutritious.

Through countless iterations in professional kitchens, I've discovered the key elements that make a stir-fry truly exceptional - precise timing and proper sauce consistency.

Key Ingredients

  • Fresh Vegetables: Select crisp, seasonal options
  • Soy Sauce: Premium low-sodium variety
  • Fresh Ginger: Hand-grated root
  • Fresh Garlic: Freshly peeled and minced
  • Cooking Oil: High-temperature options like peanut
  • Toasted Sesame Oil: Pure, unblended type
  • Cornstarch: For proper sauce texture

Preparation Method

Sauce Creation:
Blend soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and brown sugar. Separately dissolve cornstarch in cold water, then incorporate into sauce base.
Vegetable Prep:
Cut vegetables uniformly. Group by cooking time: dense vegetables first (carrots, broccoli), medium-density next (bell peppers, mushrooms), tender items last (snow peas).
Starting the Cook:
Heat wok until smoking. Add oil and wait for surface ripple. Begin with dense vegetables.
Progressive Cooking:
Add medium-density vegetables after initial group is half-cooked. Keep ingredients moving constantly.
Final Phase:
Incorporate quick-cooking vegetables. Total cooking time should be 5-6 minutes for proper texture.
Finishing:
Add sauce around wok perimeter. Toss until vegetables are evenly glazed and sauce thickens.
Easy Quick Vegetable Stir Fry Pin it
Easy Quick Vegetable Stir Fry | thefamilycooks.com

Success in stir-frying depends on methodical preparation. Traditional kitchen wisdom teaches us to organize ingredients as precisely as a craftsman arranges tools.

Heat Management

Proper temperature control ensures optimal texture. Maintain high heat for vegetables, reducing slightly when adding sauce. The pan should remain very hot but not smoking when sauce is introduced.

Sauce Technique

Watch for sauce to reach proper consistency - it should coat vegetables evenly and leave a clean line when drawn through with spatula. Aim for silky texture without excess thickness.

Proper Storage

Store in sealed container for maximum 3 days. Quick high-heat reheating preserves texture. Avoid freezing to maintain vegetable integrity.

Presentation Options

Present over hot rice or fresh noodles. Consider adding protein for a complete dish. Finish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Delicious Quick Vegetable Stir Fry Pin it
Delicious Quick Vegetable Stir Fry | thefamilycooks.com

This fundamental cooking method transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality results. Master these techniques for consistently excellent stir-fry dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What if I want to add some meat or something?
Beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great. Just cook the meat first, take it out of the pan, and then add it back in later.
→ Can I use veggies that are frozen?
Sure, but make sure you thaw them out completely and get rid of any extra water. Otherwise, things might get a bit mushy.
→ How long can I keep the leftovers?
Stick them in the fridge for up to three days. To keep that crunch, reheat it fast in a wok or a large pan.
→ Can I get the veggies ready beforehand?
Yep, you can chop up the veggies up to two days before. Keep them in sealed containers in the fridge.
→ I need this sauce to be gluten-free. Is that possible?
Just swap out the soy sauce for tamari, and you're good to go for a gluten-free meal.

Asian Stir Fried Veg

Enjoy crunchy veggies coated in a delicious ginger-garlic sauce. It's a super-fast and good-for-you stir fry that's great for those hectic weeknights.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Vegetables

01 2 cups of small broccoli florets
02 1 cup of crimini mushrooms, sliced into thin pieces
03 4 ounces of snap peas
04 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
05 1 cup of peeled and thinly sliced carrot rounds
06 1 cup of zucchini, sliced into discs
07 One 15-ounce can of baby corn (optional), drained

→ Sauce

08 ½ cup of tamari or low-salt soy sauce
09 1 generous tablespoon of toasted sesame oil
10 4 minced garlic cloves
11 ¼ cup of honey or brown sugar as a sweetener
12 2 tablespoons of arrowroot or cornstarch
13 A pinch of red pepper flakes if desired
14 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger

→ Other

15 ¼ cup of thinly sliced green onions for garnish
16 1 tablespoon of neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up some vegetable oil in a big pan on medium-high heat. Add everything from your vegetable ingredients and cook them until they look vibrant and are just cooked enough to still have a slight crunch, around 5 or 6 minutes.

Step 02

Combine your soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, sweetener of choice, and red pepper flakes if using. In a second bowl, mix together the cornstarch or starch alternative with half a cup of cool water. Then, stir this mixture into the sauce you just made.

Step 03

Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with your veggies. Stir until everything is nicely coated, and let it cook until the sauce becomes thickened and the vegetables reach your preferred tenderness, which takes about another 5 minutes.

Step 04

Serve portions on individual plates and top everything off with a sprinkle of green onion slices.

Notes

  1. If you’d like a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
  2. Natural sweetener, like honey, can stand in for brown sugar.

Tools You'll Need

  • A wok or a large skillet
  • A couple of mixing bowls

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This recipe uses soy-based ingredients.