The Best Easy Stir Fry Sauce
This stir fry sauce recipe is delicious and so easy to make. A handful of pantry staples along with some fridge essentials. Quick and easy dinner, sorted!
Table of Contents
Ingredients Needed
The best thing about making stir fry sauce at home is that you know exactly what is in it (no nasties like preservatives, excess sugar, etc) and you can tweak the flavors to suit your own taste. I like using pantry staples like soy sauce, rice vinegar and hoisin sauce along with a few aromatics to make a truly delicious sauce.
- Soy sauce. Tamari or Coconut Aminos can be substituted. Use low-sodium soy sauce if needed.
- Rice vinegar. White wine vinegar, distilled vinegar and lemon juice can be used instead.
- Hoisin sauce. I like the sweetness of Hoisin but Oyster sauce or Plum sauce can also be used. Alternatively add more honey or sugar.
- Chilli flakes/Red pepper flakes. Optional but adds a nice bit of heat.
- Lemon juice. Lime juice can also be used. Alternatively, just use more vinegar.
- Corn starch. The cornstarch thickens the sauce once cooked but this is completely optional.
- Honey/sugar. Balances the soy sauce. Optional but can be substituted with non-nutritive sweetener, agave or pure maple syrup if you want a vegan stir fry sauce.
- Fresh garlic. Garlic powder/granules can be subsituted.
- Fresh ginger. Ground ginger can be substituted.
- Spring onion/Green onion. Optional
How to make stir fry sauce
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Use a whisk if the cornstarch isn’t dissolving into the sauce.
- Make the stir fry by frying your selection of vegetables and protein in a hot wok or large skillet. Once the stir fry is almost cooked through, pour in the stir fry sauce and allow to cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and glossy and clings to the stir fry ingredients.
Can I make this sauce ahead?
The sauce can be made up to a week in advance (two weeks if you leave out the spring onions) and kept in a sealed mason jar in the fridge.
How to use stir fry sauce
This sauce is so versatile and will work with a variety of dishes. It is great with proteins like beef, shrimp, chicken, pork or tofu/tempeh and veggies like broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers and snow peas. I also love it in chicken fried rice, chow mein and in an easy chicken stir fry.
- Easy rotisserie chicken fried rice
- Easy vegetable chow mein
- Vegetable fried rice
- Easy 20-minute chicken stir fry
FAQ
Adding a tablespoon or two cornstarch to the stir fry sauce will help to thicken the stir fry as it cooks. This is a great gluten-free option to thickening the sauce without using flour.
When the protein and vegetables are cooked, add the cooked noodles or rice and pour in the sauce. Stir fry over high heat until the sauce coats the vegetables, protein and carbs then serve.
A good stir fry sauce will adds heaps of flavor as well as other aromatics like garlic, ginger and sesame oil.
Easy sauce recipes
The best easy stir fry sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp chilli flakes/red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp corn starch / cornflour
- 2 tsp honey/sugar
- 1 tsp garlic
- ½ tsp ginger
- ¼ cup spring onion/green onions finely chopped
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
- Pour over stir fry and cook, stirring, for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy, clinging to the stir fry ingredients.