Clean out the fridge recipes can be the best, and surprisingly heathy too! That’s when I choose an easy vegetable stir fry to use my leftover produce, but without sacrificing flavor by incorporating a healthy stir fry sauce recipe and using ginger to level everything up a notch.
What is vegetable stir fry?
Common in Chinese cuisine and now seen amongst many Asian-influenced recipes, vegetable stir fry is a simple mix of colorful veggies, tossed in a little oil in a hot pan or wok. Usually the stir fry has carrots and peas, and natural seasonings like garlic and ginger.
I especially love stir fry as one of the best go-to clean out the fridge recipes. It’s also something to fill my tummy without being indulgent on my meatless days.
In addition, a healthy stir fry sauce recipe combining soy sauce and oyster sauce (you can use vegan and gluten free substitutes) round out the dish, making it a delicious accompaniment to any protein forward main dishes or meat dishes.
As mentioned, there’s always gluten free options and vegan options to the sauce to make it how you want it.
As a classic side dish to any dinner table, Asian vegetable stir fry is appealing with savoriness and is a crisp, colorful presentation of veggies.
EaSy stir fry Vegetables List
This combination is a balanced, rainbow-style mix of crunch and soft textures. I add yellow sweet potato, and it really boosts the overall dish with some natural sweetness.
You can add or omit more/less veggies of your choice.
- Red Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Mushrooms – Portabella or Shitake for size and density
- Snap Peas – or snow peas
- White Sweet Potato – mild in flavor
- Shallots – slightly sweeter than yellow onions
- Garlic – aromatic and tasty
- Ginger – a must have for delightful seasoning and spice
Add-Ons and Adaptations
- add baby corn
- Toss in soyaki sauce for a delicious, flavor burst to the sauce.
- make it meaty and add sautéed pork, chicken, or shrimp
- add more types of mushrooms, such as Oyster mushroom or Maitake mushrooms
- add dried Sichuan chilis for a spicy stir fry
- add fish sauce to amp the savory, umami flavor
- clean your fridge and add broccoli or spinach
healthy stir fry sauce recipe
Ingredients
The sauce in this vegetable stir fry is done very lightly so it’s healthier for you.
- Soy Sauce
- Oyster Sauce – I even use vegan oyster flavored sauce and it works well so use your favorite kind. Gluten free oyster sauce is good too!
- Vegetable Broth – or chicken broth
- Rice Vinegar – a sprinkle for balance
- Brown Sugar – just a touch
- Toasted Sesame Oil – just a little goes a long way
How to Stir Fry Vegetables
Stir fry in order of cook time is very important. Here are a more few points to make your dish shine.
- Cook time of each vegetable matters. The harder veggies are first and usually greens go very last, even the peas.
- Garlic, ginger, and onions are aromatics. These usually are first, but don’t let them burn.
- Give each veggie individual attention and give a chance for each ingredient to “fry” a little.
- Remove the potatoes after they sear and cook so they don’t become mushy. Add them back at the end.
- Add the sauce towards the end.
- Keep tossing and do not allow the veggies to burn or be overcooked. This is a very fast recipe so have your mise en place.
- Make sure your wok or pan is hot enough and use a neutral oil.
The most important TIP is don’t overcook the vegetables.
Are Stir Fry Vegetables Healthy?
Yes, this dish is so healthy, nutrient dense, and full of fiber.
Since it’s one of my favorite clean out the fridge recipes, I usually end up with lots of colorful options, and the more colors the better.
Make the healthy stir fry sauce recipe very light for a more good-for-you dish.
I take eating a rainbow of colors as already a very healthy way to gain nutrients, but adding ginger, is a total super food addition. There are so many benefits to this magic root, including being an immunity booster, and its overall flavor can transform a dish.
What to serve Stir Fry Vegetables with?
I’ll give you two suggestions that are perfect for completing the table when you’re having this stir fry as a side dish.
First, let’s go with keeping it light and easy.
Serve this veggie stir fry with the following:
- a side of steamed jasmine rice or brown rice
- another side of simple vegetarian pancit noodles
- and have a main dish of quick, oven baked salmon
This is a perfectly healthy meal that has all the food groups.
For a more toothsome table selection, go for serving this vegetable stir fry recipe with the following.
- a side of steamed rice
- easy teriyaki chicken with the most lip smacking sauce
- and have a cocktail to sip too like the Tamarind Ginger Mule that goes well with all the dishes
If you’re having a family style dinner, try these add ons.
- add easy fried rice to the menu
- a side of crispy salt and pepper shrimp
- a main of Spicy Garlic Butter Prawns Bake (so super easy and fast)
You’re sure to have a crowd pleasing set up and not to mention, surely zero leftovers.
Vegetable Stir Fry Garnishes
- try scallions
- sesame seeds
- red pepper flakes
Yes. You can cut vegetables in advance and store them in an airtight container, and make the sauce separately.
Be sure to use gluten free soy and oyster sauce, and then yes, it will be entirely gluten free.
It is certainly a vegan option stir fry by simply using vegan oyster flavored sauce. I love using a vegan sauce and it works very well.
You can have leftovers for a day before the vegetables become too soft.
Easy Stir Fry Vegetables Recipe
Equipment
- wok or large braiser pan
- wok spatula or long tongs
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 shallots sliced about a half inch thick
- 1 medium yellow sweet potato cubes
- 3 Portabella mushrooms or Shitake; cut lengthwise and thinly
- 2 red bell pepper lengthwise about a quarter inch thick
- 3 medium carrots on a diagonal, about a quarter inch thick
- 2 celery stalks on a diagonal, about a quarter inch thick
- 3 tbsp ginger julienne (or grate the ginger if you don't like to bite into it)
- 1 cup snap peas or snow peas
Stir Fry Sauce
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp vegetable broth or chicken broth
- ½ tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp seasame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Make Stir Fry Sauce
- Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
Make Vegetable Stir Fry
- Clean all the vegetables and be sure to throughly pat them dry. Cut the veggies.
- Heat the wok or pan first (medium-high heat), then add the oil. Add the garlic and shallots. Ten seconds in the oil then move to the side. Add the potatoes.
- Once the potatoes seem a little seared, finish stir frying them.Remove the potatoes, garlic, shallots and place in a bowl and set aside.
- Add a little oil to the pan if needed. Then, add the mushrooms.
- After one minute, add the carrots, peppers, celery, and ginger.Let them sit to "fry" for two minutes then toss around.
- Add the stir fry sauce.
- Add snap peas.Toss everything until the vegetables are almost fully cooked.Add back the potatoes, garlic, and shallots.Remove the pan from the heat immediately.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy and Serve!
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