Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe (2024)

Published: August 16, 2022 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: January 4, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Savor the flavors of Vegetable Stir Fry, a sweet and mildly spicy Chinese delight. This easy-to-make, vegan-friendly dish is a fusion of fresh veggies, a simple stir fry sauce, and essential aromatics. Perfect as a side with rice or noodles, it's a nutritious choice for lunch or dinner, ready in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
How to Make Vegetable Stir Fry at Home?
Vegetable Stir Fry
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Nutrition Info
Serving Suggestions
Storage Suggestions
FAQ

Explore the advantages of stir-frying, a traditional Chinese cooking technique that uses minimal oil to boost both flavor and health. Enjoy this wholesome, family-friendly meal, offering a delicious and nutrient-rich experience.

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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview

For this Vegetable Stir Fry, you'll need simple Chinese pantry staples and fresh vegetables. Let's take a look at the essentials below.

Sauce Ingredients:

Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth for a vegan option or chicken broth for added richness. Both infuse the sauce with depth and flavor.
Soy Sauce: This all-purpose seasoning brings the quintessential umami and saltiness associated with Chinese cuisine.
Chili Flakes: These add a subtle, adjustable heat, allowing you to tailor the spice level to your liking.
Cornstarch: A key thickener, cornstarch gives the sauce its desirable consistency, ensuring it clings perfectly to your vegetables.
Brown Sugar: It balances the flavors with its natural sweetness, offsetting the saltiness and heat, and enhances the overall taste of the dish.

Stir-Fry Ingredients:

Vegetables: Mix and match to your preference. Broccoli, carrots, snap peas, zucchini, baby corn, bell peppers, and mushrooms offer a colorful and nutritious blend, but feel free to use what's available.
Aromatics: Garlic and ginger are key for infusing the stir fry with a warm, fresh aroma and a depth of flavor.
Black Pepper Powder: Provides an earthy, woody flavor and a subtle heat that complements the veggies.
Chili (Optional): Add a Thai chili for a gentle kick, or skip it for a milder taste.
Sesame Oil (or Soybean Oil): Sesame oil adds a rich, nutty, and earthy undertone, enhancing the dish's flavor profile. If sesame oil is unavailable, soybean oil is a great alternative.
Garnish: Sesame seeds and spring onions not only add a visually appealing touch but also introduce a fresh, crunchy texture.

How to Make Vegetable Stir Fry at Home?

Get ready to create a delicious Vegetable Stir Fry with our concise, easy-to-follow guide, featuring photos and a video. We'll start by crafting the savory stir fry sauce, then proceed to the vibrant vegetable stir-fry. Let's get started!

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Vegetable Stir Fry

Enjoy this quick and delicious Vegetable Stir Fry, a blend of sweet, mildly spicy flavors with fresh veggies and aromatic sauce. Ideal as a vegan side dish for rice or noodles, it's a wholesome meal ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a nutritious and satisfying lunch or dinner!

5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

For Sauce

▢ ½ cup Vegetable Broth, or chicken broth
▢ 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
▢ 1 tsp Chili Flakes
▢ 1½ tbsp Cornstarch
▢ 2 tbsp Brown Sugar

Other Key Ingredients

▢ 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
▢ 2 tbsp Garlic, minced
▢ 1 tbsp Ginger, minced
▢ 1 Thai Red Chili, chopped, optional
▢ 0.7 lb Broccoli
▢ 1 Carrot, chopped, medium size
▢ 8 oz Mushroom, chopped
▢ 0.6 lb Zucchini, chopped, 1 medium size
▢ 0.4 lb Snap Peas
▢ 0.76 lb Baby Corn, cut
▢ 3 tbsp Green Bell Pepper , cut lengthwise
▢ 4 tbsp Yellow Bell Pepper, cut lengthwise
▢ ½ tsp Pepper Powder, black or white pepper
▢ Salt, as needed
▢ Spring Onions, to garnish
▢ Sesame Seeds, to garnish

Instructions

To Make Sauce

In a bowl, mix together chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, chili flakes, cornstarch, and brown sugar. Whisk these ingredients until well combined, ensuring the cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved for a smooth sauce.
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Reserve this stir fry sauce for later use, allowing the flavors to blend and enhance the final dish.

To Make Vegetable Stir Fry

Start by heating sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add ginger, garlic, and Thai red chilies. Sauté these aromatics until they release their distinctive fragrances, laying the flavor foundation for the dish.
Add broccoli florets and carrots into the wok. Stir fry them until they achieve a perfect balance of crispiness on the outside and tenderness inside, bringing out their natural flavors and textures.
Introduce the remaining vegetables: mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, baby corn, and snap peas. Season with salt and black pepper. This variety ensures a mix of textures and flavors, enhancing the overall taste.
Continue stir frying the vegetables for about 2 to 3 minutes. Aim for a crispy yet tender finish, which is key for a good stir fry.
Pour in the reserved sauce over the veggies, stirring thoroughly to coat them. This step allows each vegetable to be infused with the sauce's rich flavors.
Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly, which will help it cling to the vegetables. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds for an added crunch and freshness. Your healthy, flavorful Vegetable Stir Fry is now ready to be served and savored!

To Serve

Enjoy your delicious Vegetable Stir Fry as is, or pair it with your favorite side for a complete meal. For added versatility, check out our serving suggestions section for more creative pairing ideas.

Recipe Video

Chef's Notes and Tips

Here are some essential tips to make the best Vegetable Stir:

Prep Ahead: Since stir-frying is a quick process done on high heat, it's crucial to have all your veggies chopped and ingredients prepped beforehand. This ensures everything cooks evenly and quickly, capturing the perfect texture.
Uniform Vegetable Size: Cut your vegetables into uniform sizes. This ensures they cook evenly and at the same rate, maintaining both texture and flavor.
High Heat, Quick Cooking: Stir-frying is all about cooking quickly at high temperatures. Ensure your wok or pan is hot before adding ingredients. This technique seals in flavors and keeps veggies crisp.
Avoid Overcrowding: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming instead of stir-frying, resulting in soggy vegetables.
Stir Constantly: Keep the ingredients moving in the pan. This prevents burning and ensures each piece is evenly coated with the sauce and cooked through.
Sauce Timing: Add the sauce towards the end of cooking. This prevents the sauce from burning and allows the vegetables to retain their texture.
Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest vegetables and ingredients available. Fresh produce significantly enhances the flavor and nutritional value of your dish.
Experiment with Textures: Besides vegetables, consider adding ingredients like nuts or seeds for an added crunch, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Wok Usage: Choose a traditional wok for optimal heat distribution and easy tossing. Ensure it's well-seasoned for non-stick cooking and flavor enhancement. If using a non-stick pan, stir gently and use lower temperatures.

Nutrition Info

Disclaimer: We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.

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Explore our collection, from quick stir-fries to richly roasted and lightly sautéed vegetables, catering to all tastes and dietary preferences. Dive into the simplicity and variety of our vegetable dishes!

Serving Suggestions

Explore versatile serving options for your Vegetable Stir Fry to enhance your meal. Whether paired with rice, wrapped in lettuce, or accompanied by noodles, these suggestions suit a range of preferences and diets:

Rice Pairing: Serve your stir fry over a bed of steaming white, brown rice, or fried rice. The simplicity of rice complements the rich flavors of the stir fry.
Noodle Twist: Toss the stir fry with your choice of noodles, like soba or rice noodles, for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Protein Add-Ons: If desired, add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp for an extra protein boost. This makes the dish more filling and caters to a variety of dietary preferences.
Salad Side: Accompany your stir fry with a light, refreshing salad. This adds a crisp contrast to the dish and boosts its nutritional value.
Soup Starter: Begin your meal with a simple, clear soup. This complements the stir fry without overwhelming the palate.
Crunchy Toppings: Sprinkle crushed peanuts or sesame seeds on top for an added crunch and flavor.
Dipping Sauces: Offer dipping sauces like soy sauce or a spicy chili sauce on the side for extra zing and customization.

Storage Suggestions

Vegetable Stir Fry is best enjoyed fresh and hot, as its flavors and textures are most appealing right after cooking. Storing and reheating is not recommended, as it can affect the dish's quality. For optimal taste, serve this stir fry right after it's made.

FAQ

Which Vegetables Work Best in a Stir Fry?

Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and baby corn are all excellent choices for a stir fry. However, feel free to use any vegetables you have available. It's advisable to stir-fry denser vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots first, as they take longer to cook compared to softer vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers.

Is the Vegetable Stir Fry Suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians?

Absolutely! This Vegetable Stir Fry is created with entirely plant-based ingredients, making it a fantastic option for both vegan and vegetarian diets. For those who are not strictly vegan or vegetarian, chicken broth can be used as an alternative to vegetable broth in the sauce for a different flavor profile.

How Healthy Are Stir-Fried Vegetables?

Stir-frying is a nutritious way to incorporate vegetables into your diet. This method cooks veggies until they're tender yet crisp, preserving more nutrients than in fully cooked vegetables. Additionally, this recipe avoids deep frying and uses minimal oil, enhancing its health benefits.