Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe - Cilantro Parsley (2024)

This Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe contains mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, baby corn, water chestnuts, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.

This Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe can be served on its own as a vegetarian or vegan dish, or it can be paired with rice, noodles, or protein such as tofu, tempeh, chicken, beef, or shrimp for a more substantial meal. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences, making it a popular choice for a quick and healthy meal.

If you are looking for an easy, healthy weeknight meal that is delicious then this baby corn stir fry is everything you’ve ever needed. The veggies are absolutely delicious and can be served on a bed of rice. This is the best way to get your kids to eat their vegetables.

I love making stir fry because it’s a complete meal filled with veggies and has become one of my family’s favorite dinners. Anyone can make this! Not to mention the colors make a beautiful plate. The key to this stir fry is the delicious sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey and sriracha. The combination of savory, sweet and spicy is everything! This homemade sauce is better than anything you can buy in store.

Other great vegetable recipes I have on this website are my Sazon Grilled Vegetables.

What is a Vegetable Stir Fry?

A vegetable stir fry is a quick and flavorful dish that typically consists of a variety of vegetables that are cooked quickly in a hot pan or wok with some oil and seasonings. Stir frying is a popular cooking technique in Asian cuisine, known for its ability to quickly cook vegetables to retain their color, texture, and nutritional value while creating a deliciously flavored dish.

A typical vegetable stir fry may include a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, snow peas, onions, and baby corn. These vegetables are usually cut into small, evenly sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking. The vegetables are then cooked in a hot pan or wok with some oil, often with the addition of garlic, ginger, and/or other seasonings for flavor. The stir fry is typically finished with a sauce, which can be a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, or other condiments, to add a savory and tangy flavor to the dish.

Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe Ingredients

• Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Mushroom
• Broccoli
• Bell pepper
• Baby Corn
• Water chestnuts
• Sesame seeds
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Rice Vinegar
• Honey
• Sriracha

See recipe card for Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe quantities.

How to make Vegetable Stir Fry

In a bowl, add the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey and sriracha.

In a large wok, add the oil and wait for it to shimmer. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the mushroom, broccoli, bell peppers, baby corn and water chestnuts and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until they begin to soften.

See Also

KitchenAid Pasta RecipeLemon and Goat Cheese Ravioli Recipe | Cook the BookMint Slice - No-Bake Recipe - Jane's PatisserieAir Fryer Recipes that are both quick & nutritious the Whole Family will love - Cathy Richards, RD

Pour in the sauce and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Garnish with sesame seeds.

Hint: Since everything cooks fairly quickly, make sure to prep everything beforehand before cooking.

What to serve with Vegetable Stir Fry

• Rice: One of the most common and traditional accompaniments to vegetable stir fry is rice. You can serve it with steamed white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, or even fried rice. Rice serves as a neutral and filling base that complements the flavors of the stir-fried vegetables and absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Noodles: Another popular option is to serve vegetable stir fry with noodles. You can use egg noodles, rice noodles, soba noodles, udon noodles, or any other type of noodles you prefer. Noodles add a different texture to the dish and can soak up the flavors of the sauce, creating a tasty and satisfying meal.
• Protein: While vegetable stir fry can be a complete meal on its own, you can also add some protein to make it more substantial. You can serve it with tofu, tempeh, seitan, or edamame for a vegetarian or vegan option. If you prefer animal-based protein, you can add cooked chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or other seafood to the stir fry for additional flavor and texture.
• Side dishes: To round out the meal, you can serve vegetable stir fry with some side dishes. For example, you can serve a simple side of steamed or roasted vegetables, such as bok choy, Chinese broccoli, or green beans, to add more variety to the meal. You can also serve it with spring rolls, dumplings, or other Asian-inspired appetizers for a more elaborate spread.

Substitutions

Olive Oil: If you don't have any vegetable oil on hand, you can substitute another neutral high-heat oil.Canola, safflower, peanut or grapeseed oilsare all great choices.

Soy Sauce: Instead of soy sauce you can use Tamari, Worcestershire sauce, Miso, Maggi seasoning, Salt, Coconut aminos, or Liquid aminos.

Vegetables: You can get creative for this part. I used bell pepper, mushrooms, baby corn, but you can use whatever vegetable variety your little heart desires.

Garlic: For best quality, use fresh garlic instead of garlic from a jar.

Honey: You can use maple syrup or honey.

Sesame seeds: I love using sesame seeds for garnish, although everything but the bagel seasoning works wonders.

Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe Variations

• Thai-style Stir Fry: Use Thai-inspired seasonings such as fish sauce, Thai basil, lemongrass, and red curry paste to create a zesty and aromatic vegetable stir fry with a hint of spiciness.
• Teriyaki Stir Fry: Make a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and ginger, and toss it with your favorite vegetables for a delicious Japanese-inspired stir fry. You can also add some diced pineapple for an extra burst of sweetness.
• Garlic Ginger Stir Fry: Infuse your stir fry with the flavors of garlic and ginger by using minced garlic and grated ginger in the seasoning. This will give your stir fry a pungent and warming kick.
• Sesame Stir Fry: Toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds can add a rich and nutty flavor to your vegetable stir fry. Drizzle some sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds over the finished dish for a delightful sesame twist.
• Spicy Stir Fry: Add some heat to your stir fry by using red pepper flakes, Sriracha, or fresh chili peppers. Adjust the amount of spice to your liking to create a fiery and flavorful dish.

Check out this Air Fried Bok Choy I made on this website too.

Equipment

• Wok or skillet: A wok is a traditional Chinese cooking pan with high, sloping sides that are ideal for stir frying. However, if you don't have a wok, a large skillet or frying pan will work as well.
• Cutting board and knife: You will need a cutting board and a sharp knife to chop and prepare the vegetables for the stir fry.
• Spatula or stir fry spatula: A spatula or stir fry spatula with a flat edge and a long handle is ideal for flipping and tossing the vegetables in the wok or skillet.
• Heat-resistant cooking utensils: You will need heat-resistant cooking utensils such as wooden or silicone spatulas or chopsticks to stir fry the vegetables in the hot pan.
• Bowls or plates for prep: You will need bowls or plates to hold the prepped vegetables, meat, and sauce before cooking them in the stir fry.
• Measuring spoons and cups: You will need measuring spoons and cups to accurately measure the ingredients for the stir fry sauce.
• Stove or cooktop: You will need a stove or cooktop to heat the wok or skillet and cook the stir fry.
• Cooking oil: You will need cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or peanut oil, for stir frying the vegetables.
• Optional: Lid or cover: You may use a lid or cover to briefly cover the wok or skillet to steam the vegetables, if desired.

How to store Vegetable Stir Fry

1. Cool the stir fry: Allow the vegetable stir fry to cool to room temperature before storing. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for too long to prevent bacterial growth.
2. Transfer to an airtight container: Transfer the cooled vegetable stir fry to an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work well for storing stir fry.
3. Seal tightly: Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent air from entering and causing the stir fry to spoil quickly.
4. Refrigerate: Place the container in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days. Keep the stir fry away from other strong-smelling foods to avoid cross-contamination of flavors.
5. Optional: Keep sauce separate: If your vegetable stir fry has a sauce, you may want to store the sauce separately from the vegetables to prevent the vegetables from becoming overly soggy. You can store the sauce in a separate container and mix it with the vegetables when reheating or serving.
6. Reheat properly: When reheating leftover vegetable stir fry, make sure to heat it thoroughly to at least 165°F (73.8°C) to ensure food safety. You can reheat it in a pan on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe Top tips

• Use fresh and colorful vegetables: Choose a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables for your stir fry to add flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Examples include bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, onions, and baby corn.
• Prep ingredients in advance: Stir frying happens quickly, so it's important to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. Wash, peel, and chop your vegetables, and measure out any sauces or seasonings you'll be using.
• Cut vegetables evenly: To ensure even cooking, try to cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This will help them cook at the same rate and prevent some pieces from being overcooked while others are undercooked.
• Use high heat: Stir frying is a fast and high-heat cooking technique, so make sure your pan or wok is heated properly before adding the vegetables. Use a high heat setting and wait for the pan to become hot before adding the oil and vegetables.
• Stir fry in batches: It's important not to overcrowd the pan or wok when stir frying. Cook the vegetables in small batches, allowing each batch to cook quickly and evenly before adding the next batch. This will help the vegetables retain their texture and prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Don't overcook the vegetables: Stir frying is all about retaining the crispness and freshness of the vegetables. Be mindful not to overcook them, as they should remain slightly crunchy and vibrant in color.
• Season with sauce towards the end: Add any sauce or seasoning towards the end of the stir frying process to coat the vegetables evenly. This will prevent the sauce from becoming too watery or the flavors from getting diluted during the cooking process.
• Add garnishes for flavor and presentation: Garnish your vegetable stir fry with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or green onions, or toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.
• Serve immediately: Vegetable stir fry is best served immediately while the vegetables are still crispy and hot. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Customize to your taste: Feel free to customize the vegetable stir fry to your taste preferences by adjusting the type of vegetables, sauces, and seasonings used. Experiment with different combinations to create your own signature stir fry recipe.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.